Photo courtesy of the University of Illinois
Chief Illiniwek, University of Illinois mascot, retires.

Campus Connection keeps you up to date on the latest news, trends and happenings at universities today.

Researched and compiled by MESHA Y. WILLIAMS

Mascot retired
Chief Illiniwek has made its last appearance at the University of Illinois. The university retired the 81-year-old mascot, ending years of debate on campus over its imagery. Native American groups have said the mascot was demeaning, while supporters believed the mascot honored the contributions of Indians to the state. For more, read www.nytimes.com.

Howard college president steps down
Howard Community College needs a new leader. Current president Mary Ellen Duncan is stepping down and is credited for enrollment and fundraising gains. The college is located in Columbia, M.D. For more, read www.washingtonpost.com.

Proposed Wikipedia restrictions
The student newspaper at UCLA is weighing in on whether Web sites like Wikipedia should be restricted at public libraries and schools. Congress has introduced legislation regarding the issue. For more, read www.dailybruin.com.

Curbing assault
To help decrease the rising number of rapes and sexual assaults, former Boston mayor Thomas Menino will offer college students free seminars on bar and restaurant safety. Police officials have reported 23 rapes or attempted rapes, and 331 aggravated assaults from January to February this year. For more, read www.dailyfreepress.com.

Art protest
Art students at the University of Michigan protested an exhibit that they deemed offensive to Native Americans. Students placed screens over the collection of dioramas displayed at the university’s natural history museum, which showed how Native Americans lived generations ago. In addition, they handed out fliers questioning why officials would support the exhibit. For more, read www.mlive.com.

Party outrage
A university in California is investigating a party that mocked members of the Hispanic community. A South of the Border party was organized by students at Santa Clara University, where party goers allegedly dressed as janitors, garbage men and pregnant teens. For more, read www.usatoday.com.

New president at Temple
Temple University will get its first woman president. Ann Weaver Hart will take over her new duties in July. For the past four years, she has been president at the University of New Hampshire. For more, read www.philly.com.

Rushdie on campus
Emory University has hired Salman Rushdie as a member of its faculty. Rushdie has a five-year contract at the university. He has begun his appointment by teaching world literature to graduate students. Rushdie was a controversial figure in the late 1980s for his depiction of Muhummad, which sparked outrage in the Islamic world. He was condemned to death by former Iranian leader Ayatollah Khomeini, after which he spent 10 years in hiding. For more, read www.ajc.com.

New GRE
Educational Testing Service has revised the GRE with the new test being offered in September. The test, which has sections in verbal reasoning, quantitive reasoning, critical thinking and analytical writing, will feature different questions and a new format. Test officials said the changes are needed to best reflect what gradudate students are studying today. For more, read www.insidehighered.com.