Reducing the cost of higher education is a debate that is around for the foreseeable future. In our first entry this week, Texas and Florida have laid down a gubernatorial challenge to their state schools that begs the question: Isn’t “gubernatorial” kind of a funny word?

But in all seriousness, is asking brick and mortar institutions to come forward with eye-popping, low cost tuition rates political bait or a healthy agitator to the system? WaPo votes Team Gimmick but if you could take the new $10K bachelors degree, would you?

The $10,000 Bachelor’s Degree: Gimmick or Real? (WaPo)

NYU Student Replies-All to 40,000 Classmates, Sparks ‘Replyallcalypse”  (WaPo)
Like cat videos and all .gif’s ever made, the American public’s fascination with melodramatic word merges continues. This time, though, it might actually reflect the cringe worthy nature of the “reply-all” fiasco at NYU last week when a sophomore responded to nearly 40,000 of his classmates. If that doesn’t make you hypervigilant over your gmail settings for the rest of time, we don’t know what will.

Wielding ‘Power-Users’ (Inside HigherEd)
This profile on Nils de Jonghe, a Belgian grad student who’s enrolled in 26 MOOC-style classes, is a great example of the type of enthusiasm we want to see around online education.

Health Care Law Brings Double Dose of Trouble for CCAC Part-Time Profs (Pittsburg Post-Gazette)
We might end up seeing more of this story as universities attempt to align with the Affordable Care Act in the coming year. Unfortunately, the recent decision issued by Pittsburg’s Community College of Allegheny County president represents the harsh realities faced by both the adjunct professors caught in the middle and the institutions that have to make the tough decisions after serious budget cuts.

Getting Through (Inside HigherEd)
Perhaps this is the DIY guide to navigating your community college campus. A new resource from Ivy Tech Community College’s Thomas J. Snyder promises to give the inside scoop on the realities and benefits of pursuing a two-year degree. It’s interesting to note that more state legislatures are establishing new policies aimed at opening transfer pathways and providing students easier access to four year degrees after community colleges. Throw in the fact you can save $50K and stay local to Mom’s home-cooked meals, and it sounds like Snyder’s timing for this release is spot on. Well played, sir, well played.

photo credit: osiatynska via photopin CC BY-NC-ND 2.0