I’ve just spent a week in Europe and it got me thinking of the similar, but different, economic troubles facing the major world economies. Europeans seem concerned but not frantic (no, I did not speak to all Europeans, so I am just sharing my unscientific observations). They seemed surprised at my statements that Europe’s problems…
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Market Volatility and the Flight to Quality
When fear grips investors and money flows out of the stock market, it flows into the Treasury Bond market in a flight to quality. The result is higher prices for Treasury debt and therefore lower interest rates. If investors are anticipating higher interest rates in the near future, investments will be in Treasury Bills and…
From Tim Geithner: What the world must do to boost growth
The US Treasury Secretary suggests that the world must do three things to boost growth: 1. US should act to strengthen growth and employment 2. Europe must work on putting confidence back into its financial system 3. Emerging economies must continue to stimulate domestic demand and allow the exchange rate to float For the full…
DJIA or Fear Index?
Dow Jones Industrial average is jittery. So what does this mean? The media would tell you that the markets are jittery because S&P downgraded T bills and that a double-dip recession is around the corner. Stock prices are indicative of two things: underlying value of companies in the long run, and investor confidence in the…
The Debt Ceiling – beyond the media hysteria
The media loves politics, especially presidential election politics, so the frenzy about the debt ceiling is not surprising. But, beyond the politics (which I do not claim to understand better than anybody else), what are the real economic issues associated with failing to raise the debt ceiling? Is this really a crisis? A few observations…
Into the field
DEEP learning is the primary theme that runs throughout my blog. It results from active learning in small learning communities doing applied interdisciplinary research on real world projects. In my ideal educational world every class would engage the student in this manner. Thus, when I received the following letter, I was as happy as a…
On sustainability and being “green”
APU’s Strategic Plan has three core themes: academic excellence, sustainability, and enrollment growth. I’m often asked, “What do you mean by sustainability?” I like the Brundtland Commission of the United Nations definition that “sustainable development is development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own…
Recommendations for the Higher Education and Career Readiness Task Force: A Legislative White Paper prepared by Don Bantz, Task Force Member, January, 25, 2011
SB 220, the Alaska Sustainable Energy Act, contains a section entitled The Emerging Technologies Fund. It provides funds to Alaska organizations or institutions that demonstrate partnership with the University of Alaska or another Alaska postsecondary institution to “test emerging energy technologies or methods of conserving energy.” I propose a similar concept for education–an Emerging Pedagogies…
Self-Reflections upon being back in Alaska and at APU: Counting our blessings this holiday season
It’s been nine months on the job now. Joan and I returned to Alaska with the same feeling that I remember having every time I left Alaska on an airplane trip- “I can’t wait to get back home.” My reflections begin with my winter graduation ceremony remarks: I began with a story… Picture an East…
New Beginnings
I came to APU in spring 2010, welcomed by a beautiful blanket of snow, excellent spring cross country skiing conditions. Soon thereafter, I invited a new APU Board member to campus for a tour. We were in the BP Science Center and Mike Loso, geology faculty, was in the midst of loading gear for his…
