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Human Rights Policy Statement
Identify as Tax Exempt
Supplier Standards
Sonoco Plastics Terms & Conditions
About Sonoco
Sonoco has a long and proud history of treating employees with respect and dignity.
Starting in 1899 with the founding of the Southern Novelty Company and continuing to the present day, the hallmark of Sonoco's culture is characterized by integrity, mutual trust and the confidence we demonstrate with our employees, customers, shareholders, suppliers and the communities in which we operate.
Ethical Business Conduct
This Human Rights Policy Statement reflects the Company's broader commitment to ethical business practices, which is embodied in Sonoco's "Setting the Standard – Policy on Business Conduct." These guidelines serve as the cornerstone of the Company's business ethics and compliance program and require Sonoco's Board of Directors, officers and employees to conduct business fairly, honestly and in compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations, including those protecting Human Rights. The Company has appropriate mechanisms in place to internally monitor compliance with these guidelines and facilitate reporting of possible violations.
Protection of the Rights of Workers
Sonoco is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing its employees with a safe, non-discriminatory work environment that promotes open and honest communication and embraces dignity, respect and diversity in all aspects of its business operations. Sonoco further supports the elimination of all forms of forced, bonded or compulsory labor and the freedom of association. We believe that people should work because they want or need to, not because they are forced to do so. We prohibit the use of prison labor, forcibly indentured labor, bonded labor, slavery or servitude.
Protection of the Rights of Children and Young Workers
Sonoco condemns all forms of exploitation of children. The Company does not recruit child labor and supports the elimination of exploitative child labor. Sonoco also supports laws duly enacted to prevent and punish the crime of sexual exploitation of children and will cooperate with law enforcement authorities in these matters. We do encourage the creation of educational, training or apprenticeship programs tied to formal education for young people.
Equality of Opportunity
We recognize, respect and embrace the cultural differences found in the worldwide marketplace. Our workplace is a meritocracy where our goal is to attract, develop, promote and retain the best people from all cultures and segments of the population, based on ability. We have zero tolerance for discrimination or harassment of any kind. As a U.S. Federal contractor, Sonoco completes Affirmative Action Plans for its U.S. operations and has diversity hiring goals that are reported to its Board of Directors. We also carefully monitor diversity hiring globally and strive to create a diverse workforce that represents the communities where we operate.
We ensure that compensation meets or exceeds the legal minimums and is competitive with industry standards. Our compensation philosophy is clearly communicated to employees and is in full compliance with all applicable laws.
Relationships with Indigenous People
Within the framework of our values, we respect the cultures, customs and values of the people in communities where we operate and take into account their needs, concerns and aspirations.
This Human Rights Policy Statement is implemented through the Company's business ethics and compliance program, on which all employees are trained, and will remain posted on Sonoco's website at www.sonoco.com/. Sonoco's Global Human Rights statement was implemented and is regularly reviewed by the Employee and Public Responsibility Committee of the Board of Directors, while managed by the Vice President – Human Resources.


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Home » World News » Prince Charles to witness Barbados cut ties with the monarchy
Prince Charles to witness Barbados cut ties with the monarchy
Prince Charles flies into race storm in Barbados: 'Regretful' future king faces anti-slavery protests when he arrives to witness former colony cut ties with the monarchy 55 years after gaining its independence
Anti-slavery protesters plan to confront Prince Charles during visit to Barbados
Prince to fly to island to attend the transition of a realm to a republic ceremony
Move will see Barbados cut ties with the monarchy and become a republic
Anti-slavery protesters plan to confront Prince Charles to demand reparations from the royals and the UK Government for slavery during his visit to Barbados.
The Prince of Wales, 73, is expected to fly out to the island today at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Amor Mottley to attend the transition of a realm to a republic ceremony.
The move, which will see Barbados cut ties with the monarchy and become a republic after centuries of British rule, will come as Dame Sandra Mason, the current governor-general, is sworn in as president on Tuesday.
During his two-day visit, the future king will give a speech reaffirming the country's friendship with Barbados and the Queen will also send a message of support as Dame Sandra Mason replaces the monarch as head of state on the country's 55th anniversary of independence.
However it is understood that up to 100 activists will demand compensation for slavery during the prince's visit.
Prince Charles is expected to fly out to Barbados to attend the transition of a realm to a republic ceremony
David Denny, general secretary of campaign group Caribbean Movement for Peace and Integration, told The Sunday Mirror: 'Prince Charles' visit is an insult.
'The Royal Family benefited from slavery in Barbados. I'm angry.'
Mr Denny, added: 'It's not just about money, it's about an apology and help. Reparations are needed to transform our society.'
A source close to Prince Charles said the royal was 'sanguine' about the island's transition and there was 'perhaps a twinge of regret'.
The source told The Times: 'He is sanguine about it — he doesn't see it as a rejection of him personally but there is perhaps a twinge of regret and a sense that a link is being weakened.
'As the next head of the Commonwealth, the prince is determined it should be more than an emotional thing; it should be a practical thing that helps countries with issues like trade and climate change.
'If the realms were all going off to leave the Commonwealth, he'd be desperately sad, but that's not the case.'
Last year Barbados announced it would remove the Queen as its head of state and become a republic by November, 2021.
A speech written by Prime Minister Mia Mottley quoted the Caribbean island nation's first premier Errol Barrow's warning against 'loitering on colonial premises'.
Buckingham Palace said Barbados' intention to remove the Queen as head of state and become a republic was a 'matter' for the Caribbean nation.
The royal is expected to fly out to the island today at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Barbados Mia Amor Mottley (pictured together)
The transition will see Dame Sandra Mason replaces the Queen as head of state on the country's 55th anniversary of independence
Reading the speech, Dame Sandra Mason said: 'The time has come to fully leave our colonial past behind. Barbadians want a Barbadian Head of State.
'This is the ultimate statement of confidence in who we are and what we are capable of achieving.
'Hence, Barbados will take the next logical step toward full sovereignty and become a Republic by the time we celebrate our 55th Anniversary of Independence.'
Asked to comment on the Commonwealth country's plans a palace spokesman said: 'This is a matter for the government and people of Barbados.'
Downing Street said it was a 'decision for Barbados and the Government there' but that Britain would continue to 'enjoy a partnership' with the Caribbean island nation as members of the Commonwealth.
A Number 10 spokesman said: 'We obviously have a shared history and remain united with Barbados in terms of history, culture and language, and we will continue to have and enjoy a partnership with them as members of the Commonwealth.'
The country gained its independence from Britain in 1966, though the Queen remains its constitutional monarch.
In 1998, a Barbados constitutional review commission recommended republican status, and in 2015 Prime Minister Freundel Stuart said 'we have to move from a monarchical system to a republican form of government in the very near future'.
Most Caribbean countries have kept formal links with the monarchy after achieving independence.
Barbados would join Trinidad and Tobago, Dominica and Guyana if it proceeds with its plan to become a republic.
Jamaica has also flagged such a transition, with Prime Minister Andrew Holness saying it was a priority of his government, but has yet to achieve it.
Barbados took another step towards independence from the UK in 2003 when it replaced the London-based Judicial Committee of the Privy Council with the Caribbean Court of Justice, located in Trinidad and Tobago's Port of Spain, as its final appeals court.
Former Prime Minister Owen Arthur promoted the idea of a referendum on becoming a republic in 2005, however the vote was called off due to concerns raised by the Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
Barbados: The country's colonial history
The Sugar Revolution, the introduction of sugar cane from Dutch Brazil, in the 1640s was highly lucrative but came at great social cost
Barbados was one of the oldest English settlements in the West Indies, being surpassed only by Saint Kitts.
The countries' historical ties date back to the 17th century and involve settlement, post-colonialism and modern bilateral relations.
Since Barbados gained its independence in 1966, the nations have continued to share ties through the Commonwealth, with the Queen as Monarch.
The Barbadian Parliament is the third oldest in the entire Commonwealth and the island continues to practice the Westminster style of government.
Many of the historic Anglican churches and plantation houses across the island show the influence of English architecture.
In 1627, 80 Englishmen aboard the William and John landed on the Caribbean island and founded Jamestown (close to today's Holetown), in the name of King James I.
The early settlers struggled to develop a profitable export crop and faced difficulties in maintaining supplies from Europe.
However, the Sugar Revolution, the introduction of sugar cane from Dutch Brazil, in the 1640s was highly lucrative and over the next decade more than two thirds of English emigres to the Americas went to Barbados.
But while this shift to sugar yielded huge profits, it came at a great social cost. Thousands of West African slaves were shipped across the Atlantic to work the plantations and workers suffered from low wages and minimal social services.
It is estimated that between 1627 to 1807, some 387,000 Africans were shipped to the island against their will and the country shifted from having a majority white population to a majority black population.
On 28th August 1833, the British Government passed the Slavery Abolition Act, and slaves across the British empire were granted emancipation.
Barbados remained a British colony until internal autonomy was granted in 1961.
The country became fully independent on November 30, 1966, during a time when the country's economy was expanding and diversifying.
Since then, the Barbadian Parliament has remained a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy, which is modelled on the British Westminster system of government.
In 2008, British exports to Barbados stood at £38 million, making it Britain's fourth-largest export market in the region.
In recent years a growing number of British nationals have been relocating to Barbados to live, with polls showing that British nationals make up 75–85 per cent of the Barbados second home market.
« Fauci warns Omicron 'invariably' to hit US as he warns variant more transmissible
My TV life: Phil Tufnell »
Tributes pour in for tragic Scots DJ Ewan Macleod, 48, after he was found dead at home
TRIBUTES have been paid to TV presenter and DJ Ewan Macleod after he was found dead at his home. Friends say the 48-year-old's life goal was to "put Scotland on the map" for music. The popular Scot helped launch a hit radio venture backed by Rangers legend Ally McCoist and
Weight Watchers is making a MASSIVE change to its diet programme
Eddie Hearn makes incredible U-turn after comments about KSI and Logan Paul's first fight – The Sun
Susanna Reid looks fresh-faced on GMB just three hours after leaving the boozy GQ Awards
Lose weight fast WITHOUT giving up your social life, with Instagram star's top tips – The Sun

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Established Toronto Based Real Estate practice, currently branded as Solutions That Move You – Real Estate Consultants. New logo would include a team name, tagline and image/logo. Our current name/slogan is not set in stone and we are open to suggestions/ideas. We are looking for something that is clean and simple and can incorporate colour as you see fit. We are not the average real estate practice and therefore are not looking for a standard real estate logo / name. http://www.solutionsthatmoveyou.com & http://www.kw.com will show you our culture that we come from.


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OCSD Investigator And Recruit Charged For Falsifying Info To Get Hired
By City News Service Jun 18, 2020
SANTA ANA (CNS) - Charges were filed on Wednesday against an Orange County Sheriff's Department investigator and a sheriff's recruit for allegedly falsifying background information to get the recruit hired by the department.
Jeremy Ryan Buraglia, 33, an 11-year veteran of the sheriff's department, conducted a background investigation into prospective recruit Mario Barragan in September 2018, according to the Orange County District Attorney's Office.
Barragan, 34, was a former officer for the Pomona Police Department, but was fired in April 2015 for violating the department's social media policies.
Buraglia allegedly left out the fact that the two lived together, and that Barragan had unsuccessfully applied to be a deputy with the Orange County Sheriff's Department several times in the past, according to the department.
Buraglia also is accused of fabricating documents to make Barragan look more qualified than he actually was. For example, he allegedly forged a letter and signature from Pomona Police Department Chief Paul Capraro dated Oct. 6, 2018.
Barragan was hired by the department in November 2018 as a deputy sheriff trainee, the sheriff's department said. The department later received a tip that led to an investigation into Buraglia's conflict of interest regarding Barragan and the reasons for Barragan's termination from the Pomona Police Department.
Buraglia was charged with three felonies, including two counts of false impersonation for forging the recommendation letter and falsifying or forging several sheriff's department reference forms.
Buraglia was also charged with conspiring to present the sheriff's department with a false background investigation file in order to obstruct the department's hiring decision. He faces a maximum of four years and four months in state prison.
Barragan, who was also charged with conspiracy to present a false background investigation file to obstruct the sheriff's department's hiring decision, faces a maximum of three years in state prison.
"I am deeply disappointed in the actions of Mr. Buraglia,'' said Sheriff Don Barnes.
"We hold our employees to a high standard and will hold them accountable for wrongdoing. This criminal investigation conducted by our department against one of our own speaks to the determination of our agency to not tolerate misconduct and be accountable to the public we serve.''


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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Parish Organisations
About the Parish of Kinawley-Killesher
Saint Naile's Church, Kinawley
The church in Kinawley is dedicated to Saint Naile, a sixth century saint and friend of Saint Columcille who founded a church here. The ruins of the east wall and two side walls of a medieval church have survived. It appears to have been quite a large church for this period, measuring 65 feet by 20 feet. A holy well, Tobar Naile, is situated nearby. A pilgrimage to this holy well was part of the traditional Bilberry Sunday celebrations on the last Sunday in July each year. William Hague designed Saint Naile's Church. The lowest tender for the work was £1,625 and building began on 30 November 1873. The work ran over cost and the building was only completed with the support of Bishop Conaty and the hard work of the curate Fr. Bernard O'Reilly, a native of Lurgan, who not only helped to raise money but did some of the manual work himself. Like all of Hague's churches this is a fine church, built with substantial stone walls and is aesthetically pleasing both inside and out. The church was dedicated by Bishop Nicholas Conaty on 19th February 1876. Improvements were carried out on the building in 1976, while Father Liam Gaffney was curate and again in 2000, while Father Gerry Comiskey was curate and was re-dedicated by Bishop Leo O'Reilly on 4 August 2002.
Saint Mary's Church, Swanlinbar
The first Saint Mary's church was built along the Claddagh River in 1828, the land having been leased from Major Thomas Burrows to the parish priest at the time Father Philip Kiernan for an annual rent of £5. In 1868, the parish priest Father Peter Whelan, refused to pay the annual rent. When the sheriff arrived to seize the property in 1869, he was met by over 1,000 men armed with a great variety of weapons. The rent continued to be paid however until 1940 when Father Patrick Mallon reached an agreement with the owners making a final payment of £59-14s-4d. Renovations were carried out on Saint Mary's church in 1927 and gain in 1959 which cost £21,000. Swanlinbar, being a border town was affected by the 'Troubles' and on 8 December 1874 this fine church was destroyed by a bomb which had been placed on the floor of the church. The church had to be demolished and the new Saint Mary's church was rededicated by Bishop Francis Mc Kiernan on 15 August 1978. The new church, which has a floor sloping towards the altar, is a modern design which was influenced by the Vatican Two directives on liturgy. Hubert Duffy was the architect. The church can seat 600 people and it has a day chapel which can seat 60 people. In the year 2000, while Father Hannon was parish priest, a Prayer and Peace garden was developed in the church grounds to mark the Jubilee Year.
Saint Patrick's Church, Killesher
There was a church at Killesher in 1837 which was known as the 'Crossroads' church. The present church was built in the decade after the Great Famine. A plaque on the church wall reads 'Dedicated to Saint Patrick. A.D. 1857.' Fr. Patrick Smith, a native of Larah, was parish priest at this time. Saint Patrick's church is a small rectangular building with a square based, squat bell tower adjoining it. It has narrow gothic windows with plain stained-glass. The floor slopes gently towards the chancel. A gallery was added sometime after the church was built. The Stations of the Cross are attractive ones with fine wooden frames. The confessional was donated by Father John Mc Grail and the teachers of the parish in 1953. The Catholic population was small and therefore the two churches which were built in Killesher parish in the decades after the Great Famine were small too.
Saint Lasir's Church, Wheathill
There was an early Christian settlement at Killesher which was dedicated to Saint Lasir. There is a graveyard at this site, on a north facing hill slope. There are ruins of a church, which is probably a post-Reformation one, in the graveyard. Nearby is a holy well dedicated to Saint Lasir. There was a chapel at Wheathill in the year 1835. The present Saint Lasir's church was built in 1874 while Father James Cleary was parish priest. He was a native of the parish of Kilmore and he was parish priest of Killesher from 1866-1875. A sexton's house was built to the rear of the church. St. Lasir's church is a rectangular building with narrow gothic plain glass windows. The window in the chancel is a large gothic one, divided into three sections, with stained glass depicting Mary, Queen of Heaven, the Eucharist and the Lamb of God. The small chancel may have been added sometime after the church was built. The church is a simple structure without ornate details and has an intimacy only to be found in small churches.
Parish of Kinawley Killesher 2020 © Privacy Policy
Diocese of Kilmore


CUT OFF TOOL CLAMP TYPE 3/8IN. X3/8IN. X1/2IN.
This cut off tool comes with a 0.09" x 0.39" x 3.93" high speed steel blade and features 3 clamp system. The two piece holder gives a superb holding power.
Holder Size: 3/8" x 3/8" x 1/2"
Blade Size: 0.09" x 0.39" x 3.93"


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Steve Engel, at the young age of 21, had a vision to get involved in a new era of heavy hauling. Starting out with a single truck tractor, Diamond Heavy Haul showed steady progress and transformed itself from a one man operation into the established "go-to" carrier that Diamond Heavy Haul, Inc. is today.
Steve, the President of Diamond Heavy Haul, Inc., possessed the vision, desire, and determination to take his thoughts and ideas that kept him awake at night and make them a reality. As early as high school, Steve displayed his talents for engineering, designing equipment used in the classroom even today. This in turn, catapulted Steve to bring to life his innovative technology on a larger scale.
In the early years, Diamond Heavy Haul leased its equipment to several of the more prominent heavy haulers of the day, but Steve decided it was time to branch out on his own and continue to implement his thoughts and ideas. In 1986, Steve, unsatisfied with the quality of the trailers that were available on the market and the increased demand of specialized equipment, began to build and produce some of his concepts and engineering designs. This in turn led to the creation of Diamond Trailers.
From the 50-ton Lowboy series of 1986, the 75-ton Step Deck series of 1987, the first 11-Axle Lowboys of 1989, and the first 13-Axle of 1991, to the bigger and more innovative 19-Axles of 1994, Diamond Trailers has continued today to be on the cutting edge of technology, incorporating its state of the art engineering with its modern 80,000 square foot manufacturing facility.
If given a choice, Steve would prefer to work side by side with his manufacturing staff and continue to make alterations and improvements to existing equipment. Being out on the floor enables engineering to become a reality without all the "red tape". Since 1986, Diamond Trailers has supplied many specialized carriers in the industry with its trailer technology and concepts. Today, Steve has shifted his approach and has secured some of his most unique designs for Diamond Heavy Haul, Inc.'s own fleet.
Today's engineering includes some of the most unique and versatile trailer layouts on the market. These include the 20-Axle Lowboy series with rear Push Motor assist, the multifunctional Perimeter series trailers, and the Dual Lane Transporter series of tomorrow. These unique trailer designs continue to keep Diamond Trailers & Diamond Heavy Haul, Inc. leaders in the heavy haul industry.
Since 1998, Diamond Heavy Haul, Inc. has reinvented itself by becoming a major player in the heavy haul arena, exhibiting some of the most innovative trailer fabrications in the industry today. In addition, Diamond still possesses the manufacturing entity allowing alterations to current equipment to be accomplished without compromise.
Take a few moments to continue your tour by visiting our trailer photo gallery section featuring some of these unequaled equipment applications. If you see it in the future, then others have borrowed it from our past. Diamond Trailers & Diamond Heavy Haul, Inc. will continue to be on the cutting edge of technology and leaders in the heavy haul industry.
Kent Operations
123 North Water St 2nd Floor


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ORDER OF THE MINISTER OF NATIONAL ECONOMY OF THE REPUBLIC OF KAZAKHSTAN
of March 6, 2019 No. 18
About approval of standard form of the Agreement on subsidizing and guaranteeing within the State program of support and business development "The road map of business-2020", forms of the Agreement of subsidizing, the Agreement of guarantee, the Contract on provision of grant for realization of the new business ideas, the Contract on provision of grant for implementation of industrial and innovative projects within business incubation
(In edition of the Order of the Minister of national economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan of 29.05.2019 No. 46)
According to the order of the Government of the Republic of Kazakhstan of April 19, 2016 No. 234 "About some measures of the state support of private entrepreneurship" PRIKAZYVAYU:
1. Approve:
1) standard form of the Agreement on subsidizing and guaranteeing within the State program of support and business development "The road map of business-2020" according to appendix 1 to this order;
2) form of the Agreement of subsidizing according to appendix 2 to this order;
3) form of the Agreement of guarantee according to appendix 3 to this order;
4) form of the Contract on provision of grant for realization of the new business ideas according to appendix 4 to this order;
5) form of the Contract on provision of grant for implementation of industrial and innovative projects within business incubation according to appendix 5 to this order.
2) the order of the Minister of national economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan of April 11, 2018 No. 148 "About introduction of amendments to the order of the Minister of national economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan of August 11, 2017 No. 299 "About approval of standard form of the Agreement on subsidizing and guaranteeing within the Single program of support and business development "The road map of business of 2020", forms of the Agreement of subsidizing, the Agreement of guarantee, the Agreement on provision of grant" (it is registered in the Register of state registration of regulatory legal acts for No. 16824, it is published on May 11, 2018 in Reference control bank of regulatory legal acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan).
3. To provide to department of the state support of entrepreneurship in the procedure established by the legislation:
1) state registration of this order in the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
2) within ten calendar days from the date of state registration of this order in the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan the direction it in the Kazakh and Russian languages in the Republican state company on the right of economic maintaining "The republican center of legal information" for official publication and inclusion in Reference control bank of regulatory legal acts of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
3) placement of this order on Internet resource of the Ministry of national economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan;
4) within ten working days after state registration of this order in the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Kazakhstan submission to Legal department of the Ministry of national economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan of data on execution of the actions provided by subitems 1), 2) and 3) of this Item.
4. To impose control of execution of this order on the supervising vice-minister of national economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
5. This order becomes effective after day of its first official publication.
Minister of national economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan
R. Dalenov
to the Order of the Minister of national economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan of March 6, 2019 No. 18
The standard agreement about subsidizing and guaranteeing within the State program of support and business development "The road map of business-2020"


The Research Wiki is a powerful tool for doing genealogy and family history research. You can search the Wiki to find out more about what records exist and where your family lived. Here's how you can search the Wiki. Click on "learn" at the top of the FamilySearch home page. When the purple "Getting Started" box appears, scan down below it. Locate and click on the picture that looks like the one you see here on your left. Then you will see . . .
Searching by Locality: Enter the place your ancestors lived. Start broad with a country or state/province. For example, search "Tennessee," or "Britain,"
"Mexico." etc. Click on one or more of the pages offered to learn more.
Search for "military records" to find guidance on searching for your ancestor in the military. Others might be in "Census Records," "Parish Records," "Birth Records," "Obituaries," etc.
Search for "brick walls" to learn more about research strategies to get you past the tough problems.
Search for "organizing" to find multiple articles to help you learn about organizing your records.
Keep Updated by Email every Time Changes are Made to a Certain Page.
Log in to FamilySearch Research Wiki.
Go to a locality page for a place where you are actively researching.
Click "Watch" in the upper right-hand corner.
You will now receive an email every time the page is changed, allowing you to see what additional information people are adding to the page.
To learn the"ins and outs" of the Wiki, look for the box like you see here on the right. Click on it and you will find wonderful videos, tutorials and Wiki Search Tips.


Predictions to the contrary, location gains significance as technologies advance.
Remember how computers and the information revolution were going to make geography irrelevant? How the ability to do business from anywhere, with suppliers and customers from everywhere, would render the distances between you and them meaningless? How the old real estate maxim location, location, location would soon seem as archaic as chromed fins on a car or a full-service gas station? Well, a funny thing happened on the way to the future. Proximity, geography, and location matter now more than ever in business and especially in manufacturing precisely because of the information technologies that were supposed to eliminate them. This puzzling truth is composed of three Proximity Paradoxes, each with significant implications for CEOs and senior executives managing for customer value: Proximity Paradox No. 1: As computers speed the flow of information between companies, shipping and logistics become more important than ever. IT may dramatically reduce the time needed to complete a transaction, but it does little or nothing for getting those pesky atoms from here to there. Yet think about it: If you've taken all the time out of a transaction except for shipping and logistics, where should you focus your improvement efforts? More and more manufacturing customers are insisting that their suppliers co-locate, either by building a facility or warehouse next door or by locating within the customer plant itself. At the very least, your customer will expect you to be focusing intently on shipping and logistics, so that the distance between you doesn't become even more of a liability. Proximity Paradox No. 2: As computers increasingly allow you to serve customers without personal contact, personal contact becomes more important than ever. E-commerce was supposed to make face-to-face customer interaction obsolete. Yet business travel rose to unprecedented levels even as the Internet connected more than 300 million people worldwide. Why? Because scarcity always drives up the price of a product or service, and personal contact with customers is service like any other. As more and more companies automate their phone systems or push customer service online, the perceived value of personalized attention grows. Smart CEOs will leverage that value by using customer-relationship-management software and other techniques to focus this scarce resource on their best customers, using information technology to enhance, rather than replace, personal contact. These CEOs will use electronic commerce and interactive-voice-response systems as primary strategies only with their less-profitable customers, thereby extending their corporate reach without alienating core clients. Proximity Paradox No. 3: Location now matters more than ever, especially when you can track the customer's location as it changes. The advent of the wireless Internet and mobile commerce will force every business in every industry to include mobility in its value proposition-or risk obsolescence. Customers don't want to be tied to their desks or factories any more than you do. That means they'll increasingly demand that you and your company become available to them via mobile devices, whether telephone or personal digital assistant. What will customers want from you on-the-go? In short: Everything. They'll want to buy from you. They'll want to check prices, get bids, and verify order status. They'll want you to give them geographically sensitive information, such as the location of your nearest facility or truck. They'll want location-specific service from you, including mobile access to maintenance records and references, as well as remote monitoring systems for shipments, machinery, and storage facilities. They'll even want your help in selling on-the-go to their own customers, perhaps without ever taking delivery from you themselves. Are you reintegrating the concepts of proximity, geography, and location into your business model? Are you reinventing your value proposition to include mobility and the wireless Internet? Or are you still running a full-service gas station, waiting for the chromed fins to come to you? John R. Brandt, formerly editor-in-chief of IndustryWeek, is now editorial director of the Chief Executive Group, publishers of Chief Executive and dotCEO magazines.


Beautiful and Finely Woven Antique Persian Tabriz Central Medallion Rug, Country of Origin / Circa Date: Persian Rugs, Circa Date: Late 19th Century – Like most beautiful and expansive antique Persian Tabriz rugs, this stunning medallion rug is defined by its attention to detail. The artist painstakingly rendered a number of flowing stems, dancing petals and winding vines, all of which come together to create a naturally moving scene. The color palette is vibrant and stark, and the use of rich black results in enough contrast between the various points of contact to establish powerful outlines and clearly defined movements. Several rich borders frame around each other, leading the viewer's eyes from the stunning elements within to the heart of the antique Persian rug, where the largest amount of activity is carefully defined within the parameters of several layered mandalas. Within the beautiful gold, black and red backdrops are several petals and decorative floral motifs that occupy the space and create a natural scene in this antique rug for the viewer to enjoy.


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U.N. chief meets Syria's Assad in an effort to strengthen Lebanon truce - ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive
U.N. chief meets Syria's Assad in an effort to strengthen Lebanon truce
by Asharq Al-Awsat | Sep 1, 2006 | Middle East |
DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) – U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan met Friday with Syrian President Bashar Assad to seek the key Hezbollah backer's support for the implementation of a resolution that halted 34 days of fighting between Israel and the guerrillas in neighboring Lebanon.
The two met Friday morning for about an hour, but there was no immediate word on what was discussed. Annan was scheduled to speak to reporters at the Damascus airport later Friday, before departing for Qatar.
Annan was expected to press Syria to join international efforts to stop the flow of arms across its border to Hezbollah and urge Syrian authorities to do what they can to help win the release of two Israeli soldiers captured by the guerrillas in a July 12 raid that sparked the war.
Syria already made it clear in a meeting between Foreign Minister Walid Moallem and Annan late Thursday that it supports the cease-fire, the withdrawal of Israeli forces from south Lebanon and the lifting of Israel's sea and air blockade of Lebanon.
But other parts of the Aug. 11 resolution have yet to be dealt with, including securing Lebanon's eastern border to prevent the flow of arms to Hezbollah and settling the status of a disputed border area in that Israel occupies.
Israel demands the deployment of peacekeepers along the Syria-Lebanon border, but Assad is strongly opposed to their presence, calling such a move a hostile act. His foreign minister reportedly threatened to close the border, Lebanon's only land link to the Arab world. Lebanon has its own forces along the frontier, and Annan said peacekeepers would go only if asked by Lebanon's government.
Another issue of contention between Syria and the United Nations is Chebaa Farms, a disputed territory where the corners of Lebanon, Syria and Israel meet. Assad refuses to draw a definite border there, before Israeli forces
withdraw from the area. U.N. Resolution 1701 calls on Annan to come up with proposals for resolving the issue.
Before flying to Damascus on Thursday from Jordan, Annan said the time was ripe for normal ties between Lebanon and Israel and said the U.N. resolution that brought an end to the fighting Aug. 14 could help pave the way.
"This is the opportunity to move things for normal relations between Israel and Lebanon, if Resolution 1701 is implemented in its entirety," Annan said. "We need to implement 1701 and capitalize on building relations between Israel and Lebanon" as well as with other Arab neighbors to "stabilize the region."
That seems unlikely anytime soon. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said he hoped the cease-fire with Hezbollah could lead to a permanent peace deal with Lebanon. But Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora said Wednesday his country would be the last Arab nation to make peace with the Jewish state.
Annan's visit to Syria, a pivotal nation that wields influence over Hezbollah, follows stops in Lebanon and Israel, where Annan failed to persuade Olmert to lift the siege on Lebanon. Israel says the blockade is meant to keep Hezbollah from receiving more arms, and it will only lift it when an expanded U.N. peacekeeping force is in place.
Repeating Damascus' longtime policy on the Arab-Israeli conflict, Syria's official news agency said Moallem and Annan, in their meeting late Thursday, stressed the need to move forward toward a comprehensive and just peace based on previous U.N. resolutions that demanded Israel withdraw from Arab territory it occupied in the 1967 Mideast war, and on the principle of Israel relinquishing Arab land in return for peace.
Annan began his 11-day Mideast tour Monday in Beirut, where he called on all sides to cooperate, saying neighboring countries should take steps to secure their borders. Other stops on his trip will include Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey.
Relations between Damascus and the U.N. have been tense since late 2004, when the Security Council told Syria to withdraw its army and stop interfering in Lebanon. The assassination of former Lebanese Premier Rafik Hariri in February 2005 forced Syrian troops to leave two months later, ending three decades of domination in the neighboring Arab country.
A U.N.-mandated probe has implicated top Syrian security officials and investigators have interviewed some of them. The chief investigator has met with the Syrian president.


text:
La síndrome de la llengua negra vellosa, llengua negra pilosa, melanoglòssia, melanotríquia lingual o, referit al camp de la medicina, senzillament com a llengua negra, és un trastorn de la llengua en la qual les petites protuberàncies de la llengua s'allarguen amb una coloració negra o marró, donant un aspecte negre i pelut. L'aspecte pot ser alarmant, però és un trastorn inofensiu. Els factors predisposants inclouen el tabaquisme, la xerostomia (boca seca), la dieta tova, la mala higiene oral i certs medicaments. El tractament es basa en millorar la higiene bucal, especialment amb un rascador o raspall de la llengua.

Referències

Malalties i trastorns de la cavitat oral, les glàndules salivals i els maxil·lars

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Higher Education Policy
The battle lines for the next Congress are already clear.
by Jared Bass and Clare McCann
l Drago/CQ Roll Call/Getty Images
Core curriculum: Republican Congresswoman Virginia Foxx's higher education bill, the PROSPER Act, is a wish list of conservative priorities.
On December 12, 2017, a long line of lobbyists, advocates, and reporters began to form outside a stately hearing room in the Rayburn House Office Building in Washington, D.C. Inside, Representative Virginia Foxx, a Republican from North Carolina, was preparing to launch one of the most important acts of her tenure as chair of the House's education committee: a comprehensive rewrite of the law governing the American system of higher education, the Higher Education Act (HEA). A former community college president herself, Foxx had ideas about how to guide the nation's sprawling collection of colleges and universities and the enormous federal student aid system that keeps them afloat. Now, for the first time, she was going to fully reveal her plan to the nation: H.R. 4508, the Promoting Real Opportunity, Success, and Prosperity Through Education Reform (PROSPER) Act.
It had been nearly a decade since the HEA was last reauthorized. In that time, American higher education had witnessed an economic crisis that devastated state funding for higher learning. Student debt skyrocketed, the for-profit higher education industry cycled through scandal and collapse, and small liberal arts colleges began disappearing from the map. At the same time, a relentlessly competitive labor market was making advanced skills and credentials more essential than ever before.
Check out the complete 2018 Washington Monthly
rankings here.
But in recent years, a comprehensive rewrite that would respond to these changes had taken a back seat to a crowded legislative agenda and tumultuous politics in Congress. The Senate had yet to produce its own proposal this term, and that created an opening for Foxx to plant her legislative flag first, setting the agenda for everything that followed.
Foxx began the committee meeting by invoking the idea of "lifelong learning" as the "root of all innovation," which, she said, is needed for prosperity and to fill six million jobs that American employers can't fill at the wages they'd like to pay. She then blasted colleges for continually hiking tuition. "Today, Americans carry more than $1 trillion in student debt," Foxx said. "College costs continue to surge, leaving millions of families to pay the price for well-intentioned but poorly executed federal involvement." The HEA didn't just need to be reauthorized, she said. It needed to be reformed.
Despite their ever-widening differences, Republican and Democratic lawmakers have something in common: both parties are beholden to the colleges and universities that provide jobs, economic development, and social capital in their home states and districts.
Sitting next to Foxx was her Democratic counterpart, Robert "Bobby" Scott, whose district contains Hampton and Old Dominion Universities, among others, and who was the first African American U.S. representative elected from Virginia since Reconstruction. Himself a graduate of two of the nation's finest colleges—he received his bachelor's from Harvard and his law degree from Boston College—Scott was mindful of the HEA's origins as a pillar of Lyndon Johnson's Great Society. "The promise of the HEA has eroded, and for far too many of our students, access to economic opportunity provided through higher education is now out of reach," he warned.
As other committee members offered testimony, the battle lines became clear. Foxx and the Republicans wanted to deregulate the industry, reduce or eliminate federal subsidies, promote private-sector competition, and make higher education more responsive to the needs of business. Right-wing media stories portraying today's college students as coddled and entitled and college administrators as leftist enemies of free speech added to Republicans' sense that the system was badly in need of reform. But as skeptics of any kind of federal intervention, they were trying to figure out how to upend the higher education system without actually passing a law that would require states and colleges to take real action.
Democrats, by contrast, called for a renewed crackdown on predatory for-profit schools. With respect to traditional public and private nonprofit colleges, they were more sanguine, mostly focusing instead on expanding federal financial aid programs to make those schools less expensive. They, too, were reluctant to pursue strong new federal policies aimed at holding accountable those colleges with low graduation rates and low rates of student loan repayment.
Despite their ever-widening differences, Republican and Democratic lawmakers have something in common: both parties are beholden to the colleges and universities that provide jobs, economic development, and social capital in their home states and districts. Many members of Congress are proud alumni of their state universities and give great deference to college presidents who lobby against regulation. The higher education lobby is a formidable force for preserving the status quo.
The movement to reform higher education is also facing a headwind in the form of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos and the Trump administration, who have launched an aggressive deregulatory agenda, effectively giving away the store to for-profit colleges while starving the U.S. Department of Education of the staff and resources it needs to monitor a system that serves twenty million college students every year. DeVos's desultory enforcement of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), which President Barack Obama signed into law in 2015, has already become one of the biggest barriers to moving HEA forward. As the HEA is to higher education, ESSA is to K–12 education, and it represents one of the last major bipartisan compromises on a comprehensive piece of education legislation. So Democrats point to the Department of Education's mishandling of ESSA implementation as a reason their Republican opponents can't be trusted to negotiate a deal on higher education.
With virtually no House Democrats willing to support her legislation, Foxx has to rely on Republicans to get to the needed 218 votes. All indications are that the votes aren't there, so the bill has yet to be brought to the floor. Things are even worse in the Senate, where Foxx's counterpart, Lamar Alexander, Republican of Tennessee and the powerful chairman of the Senate's education committee, has held three hearings on reauthorization but produced no bill. Over the summer, he effectively threw in the towel, announcing that the Senate would not take up the reauthorization of the HEA this year, given political differences within the chamber.
As the November midterm elections draw near, the chances of passing an HEA reauthorization approach zero. But even if there will be no vote this year, the fight over HEA reauthorization so far has clarified the issues and battle lines that we are likely to see next year when a new Congress, with possible new leadership in one or both houses, takes up the challenge. So what follows are the highlights of the fight so far, and a road map for what's still to come.
Don't Count Accountability Out
For decades, Washington offered U.S. colleges and universities a sweet deal. In return for about $150 billion a year in federal subsidies, institutions have been asked to meet only the lowest of bars. Washington does not require them to, say, boost graduation rates or recruit more lower-income students or even prove that their students are learning anything. The money just flows out, with virtually no accountability for results.
That began to change a bit under Obama. While his administration fell short of its proposal to create a federal ranking system for college performance and ask lawmakers to tie federal funding to it, it did push through a number of tough regulatory changes. These include a "gainful employment" rule to cut off federal aid access for low-value certificate and for-profit programs, a "state authorization" rule that requires colleges to meet any state requirements to offer online courses, and a rule designed to provide relief for borrowers who were defrauded by their (overwhelmingly for-profit) schools and hold the colleges accountable.
Betsy DeVos is already well on her way to eliminating all three rules via executive action. The PROSPER Act would do the same, but go further, wiping away the authority of DeVos's successors to regulate on these—and most other—issues, ever again.
On the other side of the Hill, Senate Republicans have argued against Obama-era regulations as unfairly targeting for-profit colleges, and have instead been more interested recently in the notion of "risk sharing" applied to all colleges. When students who borrow leave a school, they carry their debt with them, and taxpayers have a clear interest in seeing that money returned, on time and in full. Yet when millions of students each year fail to repay their loans, colleges bear none of the risk; they got paid up front. Under most risk-sharing proposals, including the one Alexander offered up in a white paper, the department would fine a college for a portion of the expected-but-unpaid amount of students' loan balances.
As the November midterms approach, the chances of passing an HEA reauthorization approach zero. But the fight so far has clarified the issues and battle lines that we are likely to see next year when a new Congress, with possible new leadership in one or both houses, takes up the challenge.
At least in theory, a risk-sharing proposal holds great appeal. It could help reclaim some of the taxpayer dollars lost to delinquent and defaulted student loans, and gives colleges an incentive to minimize debt and maximize students' completion of valuable credentials. But nailing down the details is no small task, and risks the ire of the higher education lobby, bringing political peril to lawmakers in both parties. Foxx's bill and the House Democrats' alternative, the Aim Higher Act, both prove the challenge: the former makes modest changes to an existing policy and calls it risk sharing; the latter is filled with expensive, popular-with-the-base ideas like free community college and refinancing of student loan interest rates, but light on ideas to hold colleges and universities accountable for results.
New policies around risk sharing, stricter standards for the current default rate measure, and the removal from the federal financial aid system of colleges that leave graduates with unaffordable amounts of debt could all force colleges to take the need for reform seriously. But past efforts to increase the regulation of colleges to ensure that taxpayer dollars are invested in better programs have taken a combination of educational crisis and political courage. Today, that commitment to countering the will of the higher education lobby appears to be lacking on Capitol Hill.
FAFSA: The Long and Short of It
If there's one area of cross-party agreement in higher education, it's this: the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA, is too long. It's the oft-maligned form all students seeking federal student aid must fill out, requiring applicants to complete dozens of questions about their and their families' financial circumstances. For many, that alone can prove an insurmountable barrier. According to one counseling organization, nearly half of low-income high school seniors may not complete a FAFSA at all.
But while there's universal and bipartisan agreement that the FAFSA is too long, agreement on how—and how much—to shorten it has been elusive. Foxx's FAFSA simplification proposal is pretty minimal: optimizing the FAFSA for mobile phones, so applicants can fill out the form without access to a computer.
Lamar Alexander has a more radical vision. While most applicants complete the FAFSA online—where some questions can be skipped based on previous answers, and tax information can be directly imported from tax returns—Senator Alexander can't resist the prop of dropping a paper copy of the FAFSA to the floor to showcase its sheer length. A proposal he authored with Democratic Senator Michael Bennet a few years back would have put the FAFSA on a postcard, dropping it to just two questions: family size and family income. Other Democrats have proposed eliminating a smaller set of questions that would be unlikely to change most students' aid awards—like questions about families' assets, such as savings accounts and investment properties—and automatically granting more students the maximum eligible aid.
Republicans say they want to streamline federal loans into one program. But while it would be a positive step to limit the burden on students and families to understand these complex financial products, it could be a net negative if those simplifications make college less affordable.
While a mobile app has its benefits, the next HEA reauthorization should change not just how families fill out the form, but the very form itself. The questions on the form are part of a federal formula for determining who gets what aid, and how much. Drastically shrinking the form or removing questions not only limits the ability to make sometimes-meaningful distinctions between the wealth and income of different households, it also impacts what aid families qualify for. Moreover, if the FAFSA provides too little information, colleges or states that rely on the form may be motivated to create and use their own, separate applications—ones that might not be offered for free—making the process less simple, on balance. A middle ground, like the one charted in a budget proposal by President Obama, would eliminate some questions related to families' assets that are hard to complete and have little effect on most students' aid eligibility, and align the form with information collected through our taxes.
An Act of Transparency
For decades, American car buyers have been able to go to auto dealers and read a sticker affixed to vehicle windows with key disclosures mandated by the federal government. This information includes the manufacturer's suggested retail price for the car, as well as performance metrics like miles per gallon, vehicle emissions, and safety ratings. In 2006, a commission headed by Education Secretary Margaret Spellings concluded that the federal government should provide higher education shoppers with equivalent information for colleges and universities. The metrics, such as the median income of graduates from specific universities and programs, would be derived by connecting data on individual student outcomes that the federal government has in its own databases. This would mean not only better information for prospective college students, but also less paperwork for colleges and universities in the long term.
It would be a win for everybody—except for those institutions that would wind up looking below average on the metrics, especially expensive, smaller nonprofit colleges and universities. The trade association representing these institutions argued that the Spellings plan would be a violation of students' privacy and in 2008 persuaded Congress to ban any administration from creating such a system. The lawmaker who led the efforts to impose the ban in the House was none other than Virginia Foxx.
The Obama administration in its final years disclosed, for the first time, information on outcomes such as the typical earnings of students who graduate from a particular college or university—but only for federal grant and loan recipients, excluding a sizable portion of the student population. While that was a helpful advance, the specific information that would most help students, like earnings for graduates of particular programs at those colleges, can only be derived by lifting the congressional ban.
Last year, a bill to do just that, the College Transparency Act, was introduced in both chambers. It quickly gained steam: a dozen senators evenly split across the parties signed on to the bill in the Senate, along with more than thirty Republicans and Democrats in the House. Foxx made sure that the legislation never became part of her PROSPER Act, but she had to muscle Republican members of her committee to do so. While the Senate has not acted on its version either, support for the measure keeps growing, with new cosponsors from both ends of the political spectrum jumping on board. Whether there's an HEA reauthorization now or later—with Foxx running the show in the House or not—inclusion of the College Transparency Act has started to feel more likely even amid the uncertainty on other issues.
Student Loans: Keep It Simple
Choice in the marketplace is generally considered a good thing, and there is certainly a lot of it in the federal student market. Currently, the Department of Education offers low- and middle-income students subsidized loans that don't carry interest until after the student leaves school, and unsubsidized loans that accrue interest from day one and are available to all comers who ask for them. It also offers loans to graduate students, and loans to parents of students working toward an undergraduate degree or certificate.
But too much choice can also present problems. When deciding on student loans, many prospective students and their parents struggle to understand—or even identify—the terms and benefits of each individual stream of federal dollars. Some of those loans carry relatively high interest rates and can present big risks; graduate loans are limited only by total tuition and living costs. And rather than provide the lowest-income parents of undergraduates with sufficient grant aid for their children, the federal government deems them eligible for significant amounts of federal loans they'll likely never be able to repay.
Republicans say they want to streamline federal loans into one program, with one type of loan each for undergraduates, graduate students, and parents. But while it would be a positive step to limit the burden on students and families to understand these complex financial products before they ever step foot on a college campus, it could be a net negative if those simplifications make college less affordable. Republican lawmakers have brought their simplification agenda to the forefront, obscuring the party's other agenda: to reduce the amount of federal spending on higher education. For instance, Foxx's HEA bill would consolidate all of the grants for low-income students, but without pooling the money to increase the grant proportionately. Cutting need-based grants from two programs to one means less scholarship funding to go around. And as proposed by both Foxx and Alexander, one loan to undergraduates means an end to the in-school interest benefit currently offered to low- and middle-income borrowers.
All told, less federal money to help students go to college could mean that some students never enter college, that others can't afford to finish, or even that some take out risky private loans that carry few of the protections of federal loans—like the guarantee that if a borrower dies before repaying the loans, that debt will be wiped away. Democrats don't plan to let these dollars go without a fight, though. Patty Murray of Washington State, the ranking Democrat on the Senate education committee, warned in a hearing earlier this year that "simplification cannot mean elimination of aid—especially as college costs continue to rise."
Republican education leaders want to eliminate public service loan forgiveness and included a repeal in their proposed bill, arguing that it is costly and disproportionately benefits well-paid and high-debt borrowers like government lawyers.
Repaying loans is also complicated. Currently, there are nine repayment options available to students, each carrying different terms, repayment options, and disadvantages and advantages for borrowers. Having so many choices puts borrowers at risk of ending up in a suboptimal plan. For instance, borrowers are automatically dumped into the shortest repayment plan, a ten-year standard schedule that does little to recognize the long-term nature of payoffs associated with higher education and likely contributes to the one million borrowers a year who default on their loans.
Many advocates and researchers have instead made the case that one of those choices, income-driven repayment (IDR) plans, could help solve problems of delinquency and default. Under IDR, monthly loan repayments can't exceed a fixed percentage of a borrower's income—as low as $0 a month during unemployment—and if after twenty or twenty-five years that borrower's earnings have been too low to fully pay off the loan, the balance owed is forgiven. But many students encounter logistical problems with IDR and fail to enroll or reenroll. Some have suggested making IDR the default—or even the only—repayment plan, with the federal government automatically calculating payments, much as it deducts taxes from paychecks. That could mean less confusion and a clearer path to affordable payments, which would be a welcome change for the low-earning borrowers most at risk of winding up in default on their loans. But it also means fewer options for the millions of borrowers enrolled in one of the department's other plans, who may prefer greater certainty in their expected repayment; and it's an expensive proposal when lower monthly payments and big loan forgiveness amounts are accounted for. Simpler isn't always better for every borrower.
Asking for Forgiveness
In 2007, Congress created the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program, which forgives any loan balances left after ten years of payments made through IDR for individuals who are working in the government or at a nonprofit. While the first handful of borrowers have only just received forgiveness, the unclear wording of the statute and subsequent regulations have left out to dry many borrowers who thought they would be eligible, like public service workers not in nonprofit organizations or public servants who enrolled in a repayment plan other than IDR. In recognition of the confusion, Congress this year funded a limited-time-only program for students who thought they would get loan forgiveness for their public service but learned too late that they'd been in the wrong repayment plan.
Republican education leaders want to eliminate public service loan forgiveness and included a repeal in Foxx's proposed bill, arguing that it is costly and disproportionately benefits well-paid and high-debt borrowers like government lawyers. But during the House's markup, a Democratic congressman argued that the loan forgiveness program should be expanded, not eliminated, to cover farmers like the ones in his district. A vote on that amendment found two Republican defectors on the committee to join all seventeen Democrats. And signs suggest that this is one of the largest areas of concern among veterans' and servicemembers' groups, with even the Trump administration's Department of Defense writing to Congress that the program is a key recruitment tool that shouldn't be eliminated.
With tensions running high over the future of the program, it's clear that its elimination will be next to impossible—and that the public believes strongly in the mission of PSLF. Instead, lawmakers should focus on making the program implementable: limiting eligibility to clear-cut cases of public service jobs like teaching and government work, capping forgiveness benefits to ensure that taxpayers are protected, and improving outreach and applications to help more of the eligible borrowers who are less likely to know about the program access those benefits.
Within both parties there is widespread recognition that more needs to be done to help Americans who aren't aiming for four-year degrees but who do need some kind of postsecondary credential to make it in the modern economy. Many colleges would like to make these credentials even quicker to earn, by offering shorter programs that students can complete in as few as eight weeks, which currently aren't eligible for federal student aid. To that end, House and Senate Democrats have proposed that Pell Grants should be expanded to those very short-term programs. House Republicans went even further, proposing to permit short-term programs access to federal loans as well as grants. The idea is aggressively supported by everyone from the community colleges that currently offer non-credit-bearing short-term programs to the Chamber of Commerce.
But few have grappled with the fact that opening the federal spigot to short-term programs will likely lead to billions of dollars being spent on slickly marketed, low-quality programs, especially by for-profits, that are of questionable value in the workplace. The Democratic proposal would add data reporting requirements, but do little to guarantee a reasonable return on investment for the new programs. The Republican proposal would be even more costly, and do even less to protect students' and taxpayers' investments.
One of the most radical innovations included in Foxx's bill is an idea that actually came from the Obama administration. In 2015, the Department of Education announced an experiment known as EQUIP, which allowed a small group of colleges to outsource more than half of their programs to nonaccredited, unofficial educational providers like pricey high-tech coding boot camps that offer little financial aid and thus serve often as finishing schools for bachelor's-degree graduates looking for a hard skill set to boost their earnings in the white-hot market for technical expertise. The experiment was led by then Under Secretary of Education Ted Mitchell, who described that the institutions participating in the experiment would be the "bankers" for the program. Since leaving the department, Mitchell has become the president of the lobbying association for colleges and universities.
But what was a small-scale experiment in which only eight institutions were invited to participate—one that is still barely off the ground, with only a single college approved to disburse federal aid—apparently holds great appeal for Foxx's office. PROSPER proposes to codify the experiment in law outright, creating an obvious blind spot in federal oversight: unqualified providers could offer a college education, without all the rigmarole of actually being a college. Aside from a perfunctory review of the contract between the institution and the provider, no independent accreditation would be required to verify the quality of the curriculum or the credentials of the faculty; nor would there be any assessment of the program's financial viability to ensure that taxpayers wouldn't be on the hook to discharge students' loans if the program shuttered abruptly, as several have in recent years.
As lawmakers approach the HEA reauthorization process anew in the next Congress, they must meet the significant risk these types of nontraditional programs present with hard and fast requirements that they either prove their worth to students or be denied access to taxpayer dollars altogether. Student debt presents a problem for students who don't graduate, or who complete with low-value credentials that don't let them earn enough to repay their debt—and a problem for the taxpayers who finance those loans, as well. Those problems will only be heightened as colleges struggling from enrollment declines find new ways to benefit from the gold rush for new types of credentials granted access to federal dollars.
A Competent CBE Proposal
Another reform that has broad support in general but sparks disagreement over the particulars is so-called competency-based education (CBE). The idea of CBE is that instead of having to sit through classes for a set amount of time—which is how most college programs work—students can move at their own pace, often in online classes, and advance by showing mastery of specific knowledge and skills ("competencies") on exams designed by subject-matter experts. They may also get credit for skills learned on the job by taking exams and building portfolios of their prior work that are judged by outside experts.
CBE is a rapidly growing field, with more than 600 programs in operation or being developed today. And it's an attractive concept next to traditional education, in which a passing grade doesn't necessarily mean that students have truly learned the skills. To qualify for federal student aid, however, the programs must convert their structure to the time-based model through which Congress awards federal aid, and members of both parties want to change that.
But CBE programs are not without risk: to taxpayers, because of the subjectiveness with which "competencies" are measured and then paid for, and to students, who may struggle with a format that leaves schedules loose and lets students languish longer in the program, accruing more debt along the way. A key question for lawmakers is how to adapt the existing federal aid system to accommodate and pay for these programs, without further damaging the higher education system. Today, most CBE programs convert their competencies to an estimation of credit hours, what one witness in a Senate hearing called the "currency of the U.S. higher education system," to ensure that they're financed comparably to traditional programs. Foxx would take an aggressive—some would say reckless—approach, making all CBE programs fully eligible for aid outside of the credit-hour system.
A separate, bipartisan House bill would take a more thoughtful approach by allowing the department to pilot CBE programs with a few select schools before providing all such programs with access to taxpayer dollars outside of the current system. A CBE pilot could help avoid some of the hazards that come with letting colleges set their own standards for what amount of learning the federal government should pay full price for. But in last month's committee meeting on the House side, a vote to include the pilot was rejected by Republicans, setting the stage for future fights about how quickly, not whether, to expand financial aid access to these programs.
With the summer recess now here, passage of an HEA reauthorization looks near impossible, and this iteration of the PROSPER Act is destined to become a casualty of the legislative process. Moreover, internal politics, fights over who will become the next speaker of the House, and an inability to address immigration and the humanitarian disaster involving children and families at the border have placed higher education on a back burner. Still, the partisan battles that happen here will repeat themselves in the next go-around, and the thoughts and ideas contained in this bill will set the stage for future conversations around HEA reauthorization.
Jared Bass and Clare McCann
Jared Bass is the senior counsel for education and strategy in the Education Policy Program at New America. Clare McCann is the deputy director for federal higher education policy in the Education Policy Program at New America.
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The Jobs Report: The Boom That Wasn't
It's a little secret of the news business that for some anticipated events, like a Supreme Court decision or the death of a prominent figure, we pre-write much of an article or different versions of them so that we can publish quickly once news occurs. Which is why there is now a trashed draft of this article explaining how the April jobs numbers show what a hyper-speed economic recovery looks like. It was completely wrong. Employers added only 266,000 jobs last month, the government reported Friday morning, not the million or so that forecasters expected. The unemployment rate actually edged up, to 6.1 percent. The details of the new numbers are messy. Temporary employment fell sharply (down 111,000 jobs), while hiring in the leisure and hospitality sector was robust (up 331,000 jobs). It will take time to figure out why so many mainstream forecasts were so wrong — the modest job creation is out of whack with what other indicators have suggested — and whether some part of the weak results is more statistical aberration than reality. But if robust job growth doesn't return quickly, it will be very concerning. The economy is still short 8.2 million jobs from its February 2020 level. The great hope has been that employers would fill that gap rapidly, bringing the United States back to its full potential in short order. Even if you view April as an outlier, job growth has averaged only 524,000 a month for the last three months, a pace that if continued would imply a long slog back to full health. It certainly does not signal the kind of rapid boom that many forecasters have started to expect, and that the Biden administration and the Federal Reserve are hoping for. These numbers are consistent with the story many business leaders are telling, of severe labor shortages — that demand has surged back but employers cannot find enough workers to fulfill it, at least not at the wages they are accustomed to paying. Many employers and conservatives argue that the expanded federal unemployment benefits have been too generous (they were extended as part of the recent pandemic rescue aid package and are scheduled to expire in September). Updated May 7, 2021, 2:53 p.m. ET Citing the jobs report, the Chamber of Commerce on Friday urged an immediate end to the $300 weekly unemployment benefit supplement. April's slow job growth was accompanied by significant pay increases. Average hourly earnings rose by 0.7 percent, not too shabby on its own. And in certain sectors the pay raises were blockbusters, including a 4.8 percent rise in leisure and hospitality average hourly earnings — in a single month. It's worth noting that the labor force is growing — an additional 430,000 Americans were either working or looking for work in April — so it's pretty much the opposite of the situation after the 2008 recession, when wages were growing slowly and millions were leaving the labor force. Still, it remains possible that many people remain reluctant to jump back into work for a variety of other reasons: having to care for children whose classes are remote; fearing the coronavirus; reconsidering their careers. Back in 2010, the Obama administration introduced one of the more unfortunate economic messaging concepts of recent decades, announcing that a "Recovery Summer" was underway. It became a punchline, because while the economy was expanding, Americans were still far worse off than they'd been before the 2008 recession, and improvement was coming very slowly. That's one outcome the Biden administration desperately wants to avoid.
May 7, 2021 - 14:55
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Sandra Woznitski - Senior Vice President of North American Operations
Sandi joined CIBT in March of 2010 and has served as Senior Vice President of the North America region since 2013. She has a deep background in customer service, sales, and marketing with experience developing strategies to increase customer satisfaction and institutional profitability on a global scale. Sandi has overseen the integration of five acquisitions into North America operations. Prior to joining CIBT, Sandi spent over 20 years at MCI Telecommunications and Verizon where she held various senior leadership positions in customer service, sales, and marketing. Sandi is a cum laude graduate of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University with a degree in Hotel, Restaurant, and Institutional Management.
Eric Muething - Vice President of North American Operations
Eric Muething joined CIBT in 2007 as Operations Manager for The Visa Center based in Washington DC. Since joining CIBT Eric has successfully opened CIBT offices in Switzerland, Singapore, Canada and France. Since 2012 he has been the Vice President of North America. Prior to joining CIBT, Eric held various leadership positions at American Express Business Travel for 22 years. During his tenure at American Express, Eric was directly involved in developing global partnerships with key customers, including launching a global network for one customer that required servicing in 16 countries world-wide. Eric is a graduate of University of Cincinnati. He is based out of the CIBT corporate office in McLean, Virginia.
Corporate Leadership Team
John Donoghue - President and Chief Executive Officer
John Donoghue joined CIBT in September of 2008 and has served as the company's President and Chief Executive Officer since September 2010. Under John's leadership the company has more than doubled the size and profitability and expanded its global footprint to operate in 22 countries. During his tenure, the company has completed nearly 40 acquisitions, standardized operational procedures to deliver consistent global service levels, implemented a strong online sales program, and developed partnerships with some of the world's largest airlines and consumer travel websites. John has also led the company's expansion to offer a full range of immigration and mobility services to corporate clients. Prior to joining CIBT, John held senior management positions with an emphasis on sales, marketing, and customer service with organizations such as Verisign, Network Solutions, The World Wildlife Fund and MCI Telecommunications. John was with MCI for 12 years serving as the company's Senior Vice President of Marketing overseeing advertising, marketing partnerships, product development and public relations. John is a summa cum laude graduate of The George Washington University. John is a member of the CIBT Board of Directors.
Steven Diehl – Global Managing Director, Immigration
As Global Managing Director, Immigration for CIBT's wholly-owned subsidiary Newland Chase, Steven Diehl spearheads the company's immigration initiatives by leading a global team that is responsible for designing and implementing immigration solutions to a diverse portfolio of multinational, national, and NGO clients. As CIBT's footprint has expanded into new regions, Steve and his team have played an integral role in providing strategic guidance and direction to clients seeking short-term and long-term migration strategies that are tailored to specific industry sectors. In his nearly twenty years with the organization, Steve served in various roles at CIBT including Vice President of Sales and Vice President of Account Management where he led his team in a major expansion of the company's client portfolio. Steve began his career with CIBT in 1996. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations from Syracuse University where he graduated summa cum laude. He is an active member of and frequent panelist at leading international travel and mobility associations, including the Worldwide ERC (ERC), the Forum for Expatriate Management (FEM), the Association of Corporate Travel Executives (ACTE), and the Global Business Travel Association (GBTA).
Pete Fox - Chief Information Officer
Pete Fox joined CIBT as CIO in September of 2009. He is responsible for all aspects of the company's technical strategy and operations including Software Development, Networks Management, Data Centers and Digital Security. Pete also leads the global marketing team to develop innovative new products and services. At CIBT Pete spearheaded the implementation and rollout of CIBT's bespoke fulfillment systems to 22 different countries operating in 7 different languages. Pete oversees CIBT's commercial software product offerings and developed ImmigrationSmart, the company's innovative technology solution for corporate mobility. Pete has strong experience in leadership and development of large-scale distributed network applications, web-based applications, global marketing and e-commerce products. Before joining CIBT, Pete held several senior positions at Network Solutions, where he lead two major acquisitions and served as the SVP in charge of Engineering, Product Development and M&A. His background includes experience with companies such as Lockheed Martin and General Electric. Pete is a magna cum laude Electrical Engineering graduate from VA Tech and holds an MS in Electrical Engineering also from VA Tech.
Eric Scheinerman - Chief Financial Officer
Eric Scheinerman joined CIBT in September 2019 as Chief Financial Officer. Eric brings to CIBT extensive global finance experience with a track record of improving operational performance and driving profitable growth. Eric is a proven, talented and strategic leader who has built, and been a key part of, high-performing corporate teams. Prior to joining CIBT Eric served as CFO for Wind River Environmental where he focused his efforts on growth, productivity and the company's active M&A strategy. Prior to his time at Wind River, Eric held senior finance roles at Aptiv PLC. Based in Shanghai, he served as VP, Finance for the company's $9+ billion dollar Electrical/Electronic Architecture Segment which had operations in 28 countries and more than 120K team members. Before joining Aptiv, Eric was Managing Director and CFO of Liberty Lane Partners, LLC, a private equity firm focused on building and improving middle-market companies. His role included oversight of the firm's portfolio companies and M&A activity. He also served as interim CEO for two of their investments. Earlier in his career, Eric held senior management and finance roles at ThermoFisher Scientific, Whirlpool Corporation and 3M Company. He holds a Bachelor's Degree from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. Eric is based in CIBT's corporate offices in Washington, DC.
Nicolas Derbyshire - Managing Director - Asia Pacific
Nicolas Derbyshire joined CIBT in May of 2012 as Vice President of Business Development and was appointed Managing Director Asia Pacific in January 2013. Under Nic's leadership CIBT's presence in Asia Pacific has grown to become a leading provider of mobility services. Since joining CIBT, Nic has overseen the acquisition and integration of 6 businesses in the Asia/PAC region and has led "green field" entries into new markets in both the immigration and travel visa industries. Prior to joining CIBT, Nic was a founder of Visalink Systems, where he was instrumental in developing visa solutions for international travelers, forming strategic relationships with industry partners and overseeing Visalink's Australian operations. Nic developed partnerships with many sectors of the Australian Government, designing and executing a proprietary system tailored to the needs of diplomatic and official passport holders. Nic joined the company when Visalink was acquired by CIBT in 2012. Nic has extensive experience in areas of business development, financial and operational management. Nic is a VCE graduate of Haileybury College.
Florent Frapolli - Managing Director - Europe
Florent Frapolli joined CIBT in 2012 and is the Managing Director of the European region. Under his leadership, CIBT has made a series of acquisitions and expanded across 12 Countries in Europe. Florent has a proven track record of successfully developing and growing businesses while maintaining a high level of customer service. Before joining CIBT, Florent held leadership roles at G4S in the aviation industry, DMD in the airlines inflight entertainment market and Iron Mountain in the Record Management industry. Florent is focused on developing the European business utilizing operational excellence to drive increased profitability. Florent is a graduate of Aix-Marseille University.
Seran Bentley-Thoburn - Global Director – Quality and Compliance
Seran Bentley-Thoburn joined CIBT in 2009 as the UK Operations Director growing with CIBT into his current role of Global Director of Quality and Compliance in 2017. Seran has helped direct CIBT's exponential growth now overseeing its entire global footprint. Seran's primary focus includes managing CIBT's global office facilities, leading the operational and logistical integration of acquisitions and spearheading work around expanding CIBT's physical operations into new markets. Seran has held senior positions in the corporate travel industry spanning 30 year. Before joining CIBT, Seran managed a business called TLCS which was acquired by CIBT in 2009. During his time at TLCS, Seran was a key part in transforming TLCS into a market leader in the travel visa business. Seran was educated at Hinchley Wood School and 6th Form in Surrey, England. After achieving top grades, Seran pursued a career in corporate travel which has led to his over 30 years within our industry.
Rob Moorhouse - Senior Vice President - North America
Rob started his career in visas and immigration in 2001 and is presently based in our Houston office. He is responsible for business development and client services for CIBT and Newland Chase in North America. Rob joined the Melbourne office of Newland Chase in 2008 and established our Perth office in July 2013. A Griffith University graduate and the holder of a Graduate Certificate in Migration Law and Practice (Victoria University), Rob's background was originally in Australian immigration, particularly in the field of migration Labour Agreements, having negotiated Australia's first and only Enterprise Migration Agreement. Prior to joining CIBT Newland Chase, Rob gained a number of years' experience working in the Australian Department of Immigration and Big4.
Justin Miller - Senior Vice President
Justin Miller joined CIBT in 2014 as Vice President of Acquisitions and was appointed Senior Vice President of Acquisitions in 2019. Under Justin's leadership CIBT has accelerated its global acquisition program, which has been a key driver in CIBT adding service capabilities, increasing market share and expanding into new geographies. Prior to joining CIBT, Justin was a Senior Associate with a business development company, where he focused on the deployment of debt and equity capital to support growing businesses. Justin holds a Bachelors of Business Administration from the Goizueta Business School at Emory University.
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Work, Volunteering and Leadership
Manager, Learning Services (English, BA)
Maryann Kope, University of Guelph
Watch Maryann talk about her career in university learning support.
So you're interested in a career in education, but not sure you want to be a teacher? Then Maryann's career journey is one you will want to read.
Maryann Kope decided to study English at Laurier in 1976 as she both loved and excelled in the subject. Once she arrived at university, she also developed an interest in French and subsequently became a double major. In about third year, a career in teaching began to float across Maryann's radar. As Maryann reflected on her time as a student, she recounted that her main goal for university was not necessarily to 'pursue a career,' but "to learn the best that had been said and written."
Following graduation, Maryann was selected for an exchange program where she spent nine months in France working as a teacher's assistant in a high school – and so began her path toward a career in education. She recalls that in 1980 teaching jobs were difficult to secure; however, French was one of the few areas in which school boards were hiring. Therefore, when she returned from France she decided to go to Teacher's College and subsequently worked in public education boards and private schools for about five years, "teaching everything from grade 8 to adult education."
Today, Maryann holds the role of manager, Learning Services at the University of Guelph, which is part of the Learning and Curriculum Support Department in the Library. She indicates that her arrival to this position "was in a very round-about way." While Maryann was on a maternity leave from teaching, she began to reflect on whether or not she wanted to continue as a classroom teacher and came to the conclusion that she would like a change. Maryann began to explore other career paths that involved education. She had enjoyed her time at university, and so contemplated applying for administrative roles in university settings to become more acquainted with employment possibilities, with the hope of working her way up in the university system. During this time she found an advertisement in the local paper for a part-time study skills instructor at Laurier. Maryann had worked with ESL students on study skills during her tenure as a teacher, so felt she possessed the required skills and experience. The problem was that the advertisement called for someone with a master's degree. Maryann almost didn't apply to the job, but after speaking to a very helpful human resources representative, she was encouraged to apply anyway and secured the role. Maryann feels grateful for having secured this position with Laurier as it was the beginning of her new direction with the University of Guelph.
Maryann feels there is no such thing as a 'typical day' as her role is very project based. The main function of the Learning Services unit is to provide learning support to students so they can develop the academic and professional skills they need to succeed. Maryann and her team offer various open admission workshops and specialized programs (e.g. for student athletes or students on academic probation). They also work extensively with faculty who want to integrate academic skill development into their courses and programs. Maryann has also been involved with developing interactive online support services. Her days are filled with meetings, responding to emails, communicating with faculty regarding their course needs, negotiating programs with managers, deans, and other people in decision-making positions, securing funding to launch new programs, writing reports and proposals, coaching students and supervising staff – "you name it!"
Maryann feels that to be rewarded in any type of educational role you have to love and respect students. In addition, there is a constant evolution in technology that has greatly impacted learning. Therefore, you need to possess a natural curiosity to keep abreast of what is new regarding research in the field. You have to "have a critical eye and a healthy dose of intellectual skepticism about what the latest and greatest new thing is supposed to be, and whether or not that's really going to help students in the long run."
Maryann feels her greatest reward in this career was witnessing many students blossom under her supervision. As a manager, she misses the daily contact she had with students when she did more direct service delivery. A challenging and engaging aspect of her role is that she is always doing something new, and student learning is always evolving and changing. "We never get complacent and we never get bored!" Budgeting is a difficult challenge she faces as a manager and she points out that it can be frustrating when she knows students need a particular service, but there is not enough money to fund the resources to deliver it.
For students considering a career in university learning support, Maryann notes there is not one single educational background that is required. Most people who are working in Maryann's field tend to get there via two paths:
a Bachelor of Education and a background in high school teaching, along with a graduate degree in Education or,
through personal counselling education and experience.
"There is some overlap in the work that we do and the work that personal counsellors do with students." Helping students with motivation and perfectionism issues are two common examples. If you wish to plan a career in learning support, it is helpful to take educational psychology courses and consider a master's degree in either Education (for example the Master's Degree in Higher Education at OISE, University of Toronto, which is where Maryann completed her master's studies in 1989) or a Master's Degree in Educational Psychology. Maryann stresses graduate education for those pursuing work in a university setting. She noted that when she applied for that first non-teaching role as a study skills instructor at Laurier, it was understood that if hired, she would pursue a graduate degree.
Maryann recounts that she wishes she would have been more involved with volunteering as an undergraduate student. She noted that one way to get into the learning support field is by being involved as a student through roles such as peer helpers, mentors or tutors. These volunteer experiences can open many doors for students later on who are interested in educational roles that are not necessarily in a classroom. Maryann also suggests that if you are interested in education, you could also consider researching a career in human resources and getting involved in staff training. She notes that when contemplating her career change, human resources was also an area she explored.
A final word of wisdom for students interested in a 'non-classroom based educational career' is to join the new Learning Specialists Association of Canada to access networking and learning opportunities. If you have any questions for Maryann, she encourages you to email her at mkope@uoguelph.ca.
E: careercentre@wlu.ca