President Peggy Ryan Williams has been named to a three-year term on the board of directors of the Foundation for Educational Exchange between Canada and the United States of America, the organization that directs the Fulbright program in Canada.

At its February meeting the Ithaca College Board of Trustees approved a 4.75 percent tuition hike; for 2001-2002 tuition will be $20,104 and standard room and board $8,615, bringing the total cost to $28,719. The cost for the optional health insurance plan will remain $275. In a letter to parents announcing the new rates, President Williams wrote, "The tuition increase reflects the College's continued commitment to supporting and enhancing our outstanding academic programs. We will make capital expenditures to improve technology, upgrade and enhance facilities, and provide equipment that will ensure a quality experience for our students and all members of our campus community." The budget continues to provide a comprehensive financial aid package.

The ASCAP Foundation awarded $12,000 to support Frederick Douglass Academy -- Ithaca College partnership activities in music. This is especially welcome news for FDA students, who would otherwise have been unable to continue any music work this year, as they are without a music teacher/band director. The grant's first component was a January jazz workshop, led by IC faculty and students at FDA.

Ithaca College admissions publications, created by the Offices of Admission and College Relations with an outside firm, were highlighted for their excellence in the National Newspaper of Admissions Marketing's annual report.

Assistant professor of English Gary Fountain organized a program of lectures at the Library of Congress. The December series was jointly sponsored by the Library of Congress and the Elizabeth Bishop Society to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Bishop's tenure as poetry consultant to the Library of Congress (the post now called poet laureate of the United States).