college shorts

James Franco to spread dilettantism to NYU

Oscar-nominee, PhD candidate at Yale University, artist, writer and Salon’s 2009 Sexiest Man Alive James Franco will teach a graduate film course at New York University (NYU) next year.

“I love NYU,” Franco wrote in an email, announcing the news to Washington Square News, NYU’s newspaper. “My fellow NYU film students are some of my closest friends. I mentioned NYU at the Oscars and on David Letterman; I don't know how to be more vocal about it. I will be teaching NYU graduate students next year.”

According to John Tintori, chair of the graduate division of the Kanbar Institute of Film and Television, Franco will teach 10-12 third-year directing students, assigning them to each adapt a Louis Gluck poem.

“James' own film work has been based on poems, or about poets, so this is a nice fit for him,” Tintori wrote in an email. “James has an amazing mind. And limitless energy. Our students will be fortunate to learn from him.”

 

—   Washington Square News






43 percent of graduate students going bonkers

According to a recent national survey of 26 major universities nationwide, 43 percent of graduate students experience more stress than they can handle.

Those students specializing in arts and humanities and social sciences reported the highest stress — primary causes of stress were maintaining balance between school and life, career success and financial pressures and stress and burnout.

As for what relieves this intense stress, most respondents felt that family and friends were the best form of support.  Listening to music, social events, watching television or movies and participating in sports also proved to be good stress relief for over 60 percent of respondents.

Eating was a stress reliever for 50 percent of respondents and drinking alcohol was “helpful” for dealing with stress for 33 percent of respondents.

 

—   U Wire






Basketball conspiracy results in arrests

Ten people are being charged with alleged conspiracy to throw University of San Diego (USD) basketball games. Those indicted include former University of San Diego assistant basketball coach Thaddeus Brown and former players Brandon Johnson and Brandon Dowdy. Nine of the 10 have been arrested, and one remains at large.

The 10 people charged are accused of conspiracy to commit sports bribery, conducting an illegal gambling business and distributing marijuana. If convicted, they each face up to five years in prison and $250,000 fines.

The indictment alleges that players were bribed in February 2010 to influence the outcome of a game, and that the gamble was repeated in January and February of this year.

The investigation of the alleged gambling operation, the extent and success of which is unknown, developed after a FBI probe into marijuana distribution operation began a year ago.

 

— Huff Post College