THIS IS SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS COMING UP, PROVIDING A SAFE PASSAGE FOR SEA TURTLES NESTING ON LOCAL BEACHES.

THE SMALL STEPS WATERFRONT COMMUNITIES CAN TAKE.

IT CAN HAVE A BIG IMPACT ON THE TURTLE POPULATIONS.

SARASOTA IS UNLOADING A PLETHORA OF AMAZING ART SHOWS AND PERFORMANCES THAT YOU ONLY HAVE A LIMITED TIME TO EXPERIENCE AND 3 GREAT HOUSE MAKE A TRANS-ATLANTIC VOYAGE FROM SPAIN FOR A BETTER LIFE AND TO RAISE AWARENESS FOR THEIR PLIGHT.

>> HELLO, I'M JENNIFER CRAWFORD.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

SEA TURTLE NESTING SEASON IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA STARTS ON MAY.

1ST.

>> IN PAST YEARS, THE NUMBER OF ADULT FEMALE SEA TURTLES NESTING EVERY SEASON WAS REALLY THE KEY NUMBER.

BUT TOM BAYLISS, OUR SENIOR ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTER, IS UNCOVERING WHAT HAPPENS TO SEA TURTLE HATCHLINGS IS REALLY THE NEWEST CONCERNED.

TOM, THANKS FOR JOINING US.

HI, JENNIFER.

WHAT IS THE BIGGEST CONCERN NOW?

>> WELL, WHAT WE'RE LEARNING IS THAT A LOT MORE OF THOSE LITTLE GUYS AND GIRLS ARE MAKING IT INTO THE WATER.

WE LOVE THOSE IMAGES OF LOGGERHEADS IN GREEN TURTLES THAT ARE COMMONLY HATCHED ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA BEACHES, ESPECIALLY THOSE.

OH, SO CUTE.

TURTLE HATCHLINGS CRAWLING OUT OF THEIR SANDY NESTS EACH THE SIZE OF A SILVER DOLLAR FLAILING THEIR LITTLE FLIPPERS TO GET TO THE RELATIVE SAFETY OF THE OCEAN.

BUT IN MANY CASES, THEY END UP GOING THE WRONG WAY AWAY FROM THE WATER DRAWN BY THE MOON OR THE STARS TOWARD THE GULF.

BUT DRAWN BY THE LIGHTS OF THE BEACH FRONT TOWNS IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

THEY RUN OUT OF STEAM, NEVER EVEN REALIZING THEY WERE HEADED THE WRONG WAY.

DOZENS ARE BEING FOUND DEAD.

THE NEXT MORNING STREWN ABOUT THE BEACH FAR FROM THE WATER LINE OR WORSE, SQUISHED BY CARS AS THEY TRIED TO CROSS PAVED ROADS.

WHEN HATCHLINGS GO THE WRONG WAY IS KYLIE CALLED THE DISORIENTATION.

BUT NEARLY EVERY TIME THE HATCHLINGS PADDLE THEIR WAY IN THE WRONG DIRECTION AND PARISH, IT'S A PREVENTABLE DEATH.

MORE HATCHLINGS HUSTLE THROUGH THE SAND IN THE WRONG DIRECTION.

AT FORT MYERS BEACH THAN ANYWHERE ELSE IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

CHAD SHOES IS AN ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGER FOR THE TOWN AND OVERSEAS SEA TURTLE ISSUES.

>> SO THE RECENT SPATE OF HURRICANES, HURRICANE IAN, I TELL YA.

MILTON WANED.

YOU KNOW, THEY THEY TOOK THEIR TOLL ON THE TREES, KNOCKED DOWN A LOT OF STRUCTURES AND AS A CONSEQUENCE OR BEACHES ARE A LOT MORE EXPOSED TO LIGHT.

AND THAT LIGHT POLLUTION POSES A PROBLEM.

SEA TURTLES THAT ORIENT THEMSELVES WITH.

THE MOON AND STAR LIGHT REFLECTING OFF THE GULF.

SO WHENEVER THEY ARE.

HISTORIANS THAT THEY GO THE WRONG DIRECTION AND SUFFER AS A CONSEQUENCE.

>> MOST BEACH TOWNS IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA HAVE SEA TURTLE ORDINANCES AND A MAIN FOCUS OF THEM IS TO AVOID THIS ORIENTATIONS.

FORT MYERS BEACH, CONFINED BEACH FRONT HOMES AND BUSINESS OWNERS, $250 FOR A FIRST OFFENSE AND $500 IF IT HAPPENS AGAIN.

BUT SHOOTS SAID 90% OF THE TIME THEY TALKED TO THE OFFENDER.

FIRST AND EVERYTHING GETS SOLVED RIGHT THEN AND THERE.

>> SEA TURTLE ORDINANCE DOES APPLY TO ALL PROPERTIES ON THE BEACH.

SO YOU DON'T NECESSARILY HAVE TO BE BEACH FRONT.

4 TO NEED TO INSTALL THESE LONG WAY.

POINT FOLDS.

SO EDUCATE, EDUCATE, EDUCATE.

>> SO, TOM, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO AND RESIDENTS IN AND AROUND FORT MYERS BEACH CAN DO TO MAKE SURE THESE LITTLE HATCHLINGS DON'T GET DISORIENTED.

>> THE MOST IMPORTANT THING, JENNIFER IS TO BUY THE RIGHT KIND OF LATE POPE'S.

>> AND WHAT KINDS I AND WE SEE YELLOW AND RED.

ARE THOSE THE RIGHT KIND?

>> NOT EXACTLY.

BUT THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION BECAUSE THE RIGHT KIND, THE RED THERE, AMBER, BUT THEY ARE MORE IMPORTANTLY THERE MEASURED BY THE NUMBER OF NANO METERS.

SO THAT THE TURTLES CAN'T SEE THEM.

AND IT'S ACTUALLY 560 OR GREATER.

BUT, YOU KNOW, IT'S COMPLICATED.

JUST GO UP TO THE HARDWARE STORE.

TELL THEM WHAT YOU NEED AND UNDERSTAND, ARE THEY EXPENSIVE?

NOT ANYMORE THAN LADIES.

SO WHAT ELSE CAN BE DONE TO MAKE SURE THAT?

>> THESE LITTLE HATCHLINGS?

>> GO THE RIGHT WAY AND THEY DON'T GET DISORIENTED.

>> I THINK THE MOST IMPORTANT THING AND THAT IS TO USE BLACKOUT CURTAINS AT NIGHT.

IF YOU'RE ANYWHERE NEAR THE BEACH BECAUSE THAT WILL KEEP THE HOUSE LIGHTS FROM INSIDE YOUR COMING OUT.

ALSO, WHEN YOU'RE ON THE BEACH, MAKE SURE THE YOU DON'T LEAVE ANY TRASH LITTER OR ANY CHAIRS THAT CAN BLOCK THE HATCHLINGS FROM GETTING TO THE WATER.

AND THAT INCLUDES, YOU KNOW, ANY OF THE HOLES OR SANDCASTLES THAT YOU MADE DURING THE DAY FLAT AND THOSE OUT BECAUSE THE LITTLE COLONEL GETS IN A LITTLE HOLE AND THAT CAN BE ANOTHER TYPE OF DEATH TRAP AND PEOPLE MIGHT NOT THINK ABOUT THAT AT ALL.

>> TOM, GIVE ANY MORE TIPS THAT YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH US TODAY?

>> YOU KNOW, THAT'S ANOTHER GREAT QUESTION.

AND I'M REALLY GLAD YOU ASKED THAT ONE BECAUSE THERE'S A LOT MORE TO DO AND NOT TO DUES IN MY ARTICLE WGCU DOT ORG, THANK YOU SO MUCH.

AND WE LOVE THIS LATEST INFORMATION ON ESPECIALLY THIS TOPIC.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE ALL THOSE HATCHLINGS ARE SAFE AND GET OUT TO SEE LIKE THEY'RE SUPPOSED TO.

>> THANKS, TOM.

THANK YOU, SIR.

>> COMING UP, A RARE AND UNIQUE EXHIBITS ARE ON DISPLAY RIGHT NOW IN SARASOTA.

BUT YOU ONLY HAVE A SMALL WINDOW OF TIME TO SEE THESE BORROWED WORKS OF ART BEFORE THEY HEAD BACK TO THEIR PRIVATE COLLECTIONS.

THE ARTS ARE IN FULL SWING IN SARASOTA WITH ONE OF A KIND PERFORMANCES AND ART SHOWS COMING TO THE AREA THAT INCLUDES A NEW EXHIBIT AT THE SARASOTA ART MUSEUM, WHICH HIGHLIGHTS THE UNIQUE BLEND OF PRETTY INCREDIBLE ARTIST.

IT'S JUST ONE OF THE MANY EXCITING EVENTS HAPPENING IN THE COMING WEEKS.

>> TOM HALL JOINS US NOW.

AND HE HAD A REALLY ROUGH ASSIGNMENT.

YOU HAD TO GO TO SARASOTA AND SPEND THE ENTIRE DAY.

>> IT WAS TOUGH, BUT SOMEBODY HAD TO DO IT.

WHAT DID YOU FIND OUT?

>> WELL, I WENT UP THE ROAD IN ORDER TO TO CHECK OUT A COUPLE OF DIFFERENT THINGS.

I WAS THERE TO CATCH A GROUNDBREAKING MUSICAL COMEDY AT WEST COAST.

BLACK THEATER TROUPE CALLED LIES SPELLS AN OLD WIVES.

TALES.

I WAS THERE TO GET THE LOW DOWN ON FLORIDA STUDIO THEATRE, SUMMERS TALK SHOWS AND I WANTED TO SEE A HUGE EXHIBITION OF 85 ARTWORKS THAT HAVE BEEN LOANED TO THE SARASOTA ART MUSEUM BY 10 PRIVATE COLLECTORS FOR A SHOW CALLED SOMETHING BORROWED.

SOMETHING NEW.

NOW THIS IS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME OPPORTUNITY TO SEE THESE ART WORKS BECAUSE ONCE THE EXHIBITION'S OVER AND EVERYTHING'S RETURNED, YOU'LL NEVER EVER SEE THESE PAINTINGS SCULPTURES, PRINTS AND PHOTOGRAPHS AGAIN, EVEN IF SOMEHOW SOMEDAY YOU GET AN INVITATION INTO THE HOME OF ONE OR MORE OF THESE COLLECTORS.

HERE'S THE MUSEUM'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, VIRGINIA SHARE WITH MORE.

>> IS HOME TO A NUMBER OF PROMINENT ARE COLLECTORS AND ALSO, OF COURSE, THEY'RE WONDERFUL.

OUR COLLECTIONS.

WE'RE REALLY FORTUNATE HERE AT SARASOTA ARMIES.

AND FOR THE NEXT SEVERAL MONTHS WE'LL BE ABLE TO SHARE WITH OUR AUDIENCE IS 10 INCREDIBLE PRIVATE COLLECTIONS FROM ST.

PETERSBURG TO SOUTH SARASOTA AND THESE COLLECTORS OVER THE PAST 30 YEARS HAVE BEEN COLLECTING WORKS OF ART BY SOME OF THE MOST WELL-KNOWN 20TH AND 21ST CENTURY ARTISTS.

THESE ARE ARTISTS THAT YOU WOULD TYPICALLY SEE IN A MAJOR MUSEUM COLLECTION ARE MAYBE FRESH OUT OF THE GALLERY SCENE.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT HOW CLOSE, YOU KNOW, AI WEI WEI GEORGE CONDO CARS.

CINDY SHERMAN, INCREDIBLE ARTISTS WORKING IN A VARIETY OF MEDIA THAT WE'RE REALLY THRILLED TO HAVE HERE AT SARASOTA ART MUSEUM.

>> TOM, YOU'VE REPORTED IN THE PAST THAT SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IS HOME TO 35 COMMUNITY AND EQUITY THEATERS.

BUT I UNDERSTAND WE'RE GETTING ONE MORE.

>> THAT'S EXACTLY RIGHT.

JENNIFER.

>> YOU KNOW, WHEN IT COMES TO DINNER THEATER, BROADWAY PALMS THE GOLD STANDARD.

>> BOTH THEIR FORT MYERS AND LANCASTER, PENNSYLVANIA LOCATIONS HAVE MADE IT INTO THE USA'S TOP 10 DINNER THEATERS IN THE COUNTRY.

BUT FLORIDA STUDIO THEATRE IN SARASOTA OPERATES TO DINNER THEATERS IN CONNECTION WITH THEIR CABARET PRODUCTIONS AND LOCALLY.

THE SEMINOLE GULF MURDER MYSTERY DINNER TRAIN PROVIDES UNIQUE DINING AND ENTERTAINMENT EXPERIENCES.

BUT SOON THEY WILL BE A NEW PLAYER IN THIS GROWING INDUSTRY.

MICHELLE AND JEREMY CONCEDE BEEN BUILDING SOMETHING SPECIAL, SAYS OPENING FORT MYERS THEATER 5 YEARS AGO AND THEY HAVE SOME NEWS THEY WANT TO SHARE WITH OUR AUDIENCE.

HERE'S MICHELLE.

>> WE ARE SO EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE FOR THE FIRST TIME THAT WE ARE OPENING A BRAND NEW THEATER CALLED THE FORT MYERS IN A THEATER LOCATED OFF OF CRYSTAL DRIVE.

WE ARE HOSTING A GALA FOR OUR AUDIENCE.

MEMBERS ARE PATRONS AND OUR LOCAL FANS TO COME OUT AND SEE OUR NEW SPACE.

IT'S GOING TO BE THE GREAT GATSBY THEME.

A GREAT NIGHT OF ENTERTAINMENT GETTING DRESSED UP AND PERFORMANCES.

NOT ONLY ARE WE HOSTING THAT.

WE ARE STARTING OUR FIRST PERFORMANCE OF JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH IN JULY.

WE HOPE THAT YOU'LL SEE US THEN.

>> THAT TIME YOU SAID THAT THE DINNER MARKET IS GROWING, BUT I'VE HEARD REPORTS THAT IT ACTUALLY DWINDLING.

WHAT?

>> WHAT'S THE STORY?

IT IS KIND OF INTERESTING.

>> KEN DAVENPORT IS A TWO-TIME EMMY WINNER.

>> AND HE'S A ALSO A BROADWAY BLOGGER.

NOW WOULD BASICALLY HE SAID IT IS.

RING THE BELL BECAUSE DINNER THEATERS DYING.

BUT HIS CONCLUSIONS CONTRADICTED BY A BRAND NEW INDUSTRY REPORT.

THE PROJECTS THE DINNER, THEIR MARKET WILL NEARLY DOUBLE BY 2033.

AND THAT'S FUELED BY YOUNGER AUDIENCE IS TO DEMAND IMMERSIVE PERSONALIZED IN SHAREABLE EXPERIENCE IN OUTINGS OVER TRADITIONAL DINING OR THEATER, ONLY PERFORMANCES.

NOW THE COUNTRY'S PLAN TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS TREND BY PROVIDING GLITZY RED-CARPET OPENINGS DRESS IN COSTUME EVENINGS, THEMED APPETIZERS THAT AND ENTREES AND DRINKS TO COMPLIMENT THE THEATRICAL PERFORMANCE.

HEALTH CONSCIOUS FARM TO TABLE INGREDIENTS CHILD-FRIENDLY MENUS, IMMERSIVE AUGMENTED REALITY MURDER MYSTERY TYPES STORY LINES MULTI-SENSORY SPECIAL AND LOTS AND LOTS AND LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES TO MINGLE AND TAKE SELFIES IN PHOTOS WITH THE MEMBERS OF THE CAST.

YOU'LL ALSO BE COURTING TOURISM, CORPORATE AND FAMILY ENTERTAINMENT SECTORS WHILE BENDING EVERY EFFORT TO KEEP TICKET PRICES AFFORDABLE.

SO THEY DO PEOPLE CHECK THEM OUT DURING THEIR JUNE 13TH GALA AND THEIR SEASON OPENER ON JULY 20TH.

AND WHERE IS IT IN FORT MYERS, THIS THEATER?

>> WELL, THEY ARE HAVE NOT REALLY MADE THAT ANNOUNCEMENT, BUT I CAN TELL YOU IF YOU LIKE BOWLING, YOU'RE GOING TO LIKE THE NEW LOCATION.

ALL RIGHT.

WE'LL SOUNDS LIKE SOUNDS WONDERFUL.

I LOVE DINNER THEATER AND THIS IS REALLY GREAT INFORMATION.

>> THANK YOU, JENNIFER.

APPRECIATE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE HERE.

THANKS, TOM.

>> MAKE SURE YOU ARE STAYING UP TO DATE WITH ALL OF TOM HALLS, EXTENSIVE ARTS COVERAGE BY HEADING TO OUR WEB SITE.

WGCU DOT ORG.

AS MANY COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES BEGAN TO WRAP UP THEIR ACADEMIC HERE.

WE'RE OFFERING A LOOK INTO THE CHALLENGES FACING THE NEXT GENERATION OF STUDENTS.

THE FOLLOWING IS A PREVIEW OF THE AWARD-WINNING WGCU DOCUMENTARY DREAM SCHOOL A JOURNEY TO HIGHER EDUCATION.

>> SO HOW IMPORTANT ARE THINGS LIKE?

WELL, LEGACY AND DIVERSITY IN THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS THAT DEPENDS ON THE SCHOOL.

ADMISSIONS TEAMS CAN USE VERY DIFFERENT FACTORS.

WHEN JUDGING APPLICATIONS, PARTICULARLY WHEN IT COMES TO PUBLIC VERSUS PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

>> OF COURSE, SCHOOLS GENERALLY CONSIDER ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE.

THE CORE OF THE APPLICATION.

>> BUT A TOP SCHOOLS WHERE THE NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS HAVE SKYROCKETED.

SO MANY STUDENTS EARNED TOP GRADES AND HIGH SAT IN A SEAT.

HE SCORES IT'S MUCH TOUGHER, DECIDING WHO DESERVES A SEAT.

INSTEAD, THE GREATER NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS OR MORE PEOPLE OVER.

THEY QUALIFY.

>> SO WHAT HAPPENS IF THEY GOT A FIND LIKE TIEBREAKERS TO WEED YOU OUT?

SO DID YOU RUN YOUR OWN BUSINESS?

YOU HAVE A PILOT'S LICENSE.

THE LANGUAGE IS RE STUDENT BODY PRESIDENT >> CHARLES MURPHY IS AN ADMISSIONS OFFICER AT THE UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RANKED IN THE TOP 5 IN THE COUNTRY FOR PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS.

ACCORDING TO U.S.

NEWS, HE SAYS, WHILE ACADEMICS ARE THE PRIORITY FOR ADMISSIONS AT UF, IT IS NOT A FORMULA DECISION.

>> WE FEEL AND OUR ADMISSIONS PROCESS THAT THAT THERE'S VALUE IN GIVING INDIVIDUALISTIC HOLISTIC REVIEW OF AN APPLICANT SO THAT CAN LEAD TO SOME DECISIONS WHERE SOMEONE WITH MAYBE A SLIGHTLY HIGHER TEST SCORE, A SLIGHTLY HIGHER GPA WOULD NOT BE ADMITTED OVER STUDENT TOO, HAS A SLIGHTLY LOWER TEST SCORES GPA.

>> IN A HOLISTIC REVIEW, ADMISSIONS OFFICERS LOOKING BEYOND GRADES AND TEST SCORES AND CONSIDER THE WHOLE STUDENT FROM AN APPLICANT SPECIAL TALENTS TO THEIR COMMUNITY SERVICE AND FOR DECADES, MANY SCHOOLS CONSIDERED RACE AS A PART OF THAT HOLISTIC REVIEW, FEDERAL LAW THAT PERMITTED THE USE OF AFFIRMATIVE ACTION IN ADMISSIONS AS LONG AS SCHOOLS DIDN'T USE RACIAL QUOTAS.

DANA THOMPSON, DORSEY TEACHES EDUCATION LAW AT THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA.

>> THE COURT BASICALLY SAID RACE COULD BE USED AS A PLUS FACTOR.

IT WAS ADDED TO MANY ADMISSIONS POLICIES AT UNIVERSITIES AND PARTICULARLY THOSE ARE HIGHLY SELECTIVE.

MEET UNIVERSITIES, ADMISSIONS POLICIES.

>> HARVARD HAS SAID RACE WAS USED AS A TIPPING FACTOR.

AND WHEN WE VISITED GEORGE WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, THEIR ADMISSIONS OFFICER BEN TOLL SHARED HOW RACE PLAYED A ROLE IN THEIR ADMISSIONS PROCESS.

SO IT UW WE HAVE A VERY STRONG COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY.

>> THERE ARE TIMES WHERE IT WILL PLAY A ROLE IN HOW WE LOOK AT THAT FILES YOU KNOW, AND THAT'S SOMETHING THAT THE UNIVERSITY HAS BEEN A LOT ABOUT.

>> BUT IN AN HISTORIC 2023 DECISION, THE SUPREME COURT STRUCK DOWN RACE, CONSCIOUS ADMISSIONS POLICIES.

THAT MEANS SCHOOLS, ADMISSIONS PRACTICES MUST BE COLOR BLIND.

EVEN AS UNIVERSITY LEADERS STRIVE FOR DIVERSE CAMPUSES.

>> THERE ARE SOME FACTORS THAT HAVE OFTEN BEEN CONSIDERED PROXIES FOR RACE AND SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS IS ONE OF THEM.

SO YOU WILL HAVE MORE UNIVERSITIES FOCUSING ON THOSE WHO ARE ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED, MAYBE FIRST GENERATION STUDENTS, MAYBE EVEN GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS BECAUSE THOSE THINGS THAT YOU MAY CONSIDER MAY ALSO BRING IN MORE STUDENTS WHO ARE RACIALLY AND ETHNICALLY DIVERSE.

>> THOMPSON DORSEY BELIEVES RACE WON'T BE COMPLETELY ELIMINATED FROM THE PROCESS BECAUSE STUDENTS CAN STILL TALK ABOUT ETHNICITY IN THEIR ESSAYS.

THE KSAT NO WAY IMPACTS STUDENTS.

>> RIGHT.

TO BE ABLE TO TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO THEM THAT HAVE IMPACTED THEIR LIVES THAT HAS SHAPED WHO THEY ARE.

RACE.

MAYBE ONE.

MAYBE BEING POOR ARE BEING HOMELESS OR BEING JEWISH AND MAYBE HAVING TO DEAL WITH ANTI-SEMITISM.

ALL THOSE THINGS MAY BE MENTIONED AND WANTS PERSONAL STATEMENT.

SO THE MISSIONS CAN CONSIDER ALL OF THAT IS.

TOLD US TO PREVIEW OF THAT INDIVIDUAL >> CAMPUS DIVERSITY IS MORE THAN JUST ABOUT LUNCH.

HOW IS THE DEAN OF UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS FOR JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY?

ONE OF THE COUNTRY'S TOP PRIVATE HIGHER ED INSTITUTIONS.

WE DID TRY TO >> MAINTAIN SOME SENSE OF BALANCE ACROSS ALL THE DIFFERENT ASPECTS OF OUR STUDENT BODY.

AND AND THOSE CAN BE A FACTOR FOR STUDENTS, RIGHT AS THEY APPLY TO DIFFERENT SCHOOLS.

>> BALANCE FOR STUDENT BODY CAN MEAN ADMISSIONS OFFICERS CONSIDER THINGS LIKE FEMALE TO MALE RATIOS WERE ADMITTING STUDENTS FROM ALL 50 STATES OR AS MANY COUNTRIES AS POSSIBLE.

ANOTHER FACTOR STUDENTS CAN CONTROL IS THE IMPACT OF LEGACY.

SOME SCHOOLS GIVE STUDENTS WHOSE PARENTS OR LOVED ONE ATTENDED THAT SCHOOL A LEG UP IN THE ADMISSIONS 2023 STUDY BY RESEARCHERS AT HARVARD AND BROWN UNIVERSITY FELLOW.

THE MOST ERIE COLLEGES DO ENROLL A DISPROPORTIONATE SHARE OF LEGACY STUDENTS.

THE WEIGHT OF LEGACY CAN VARY GREATLY FROM SCHOOL TO SCHOOL.

SOME INSTITUTIONS DON'T CONSIDER IT WALLET.

OTHERS CAN PLAY A SIGNIFICANT ROLE.

ANGEL PEREZ LEADS THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR COLLEGE ADMISSION COUNSELING.

HE SAYS LEGACY ADMISSIONS STILL EXIST BECAUSE IT FOSTERS GENERATIONAL LOYALTIES AND CAN HELPING UNIVERSITIES.

BOTTOM LINE.

>> THE MAJORITY OF INSTITUTIONS IN THIS COUNTRY.

THE 2 BIGGEST SOURCES OF REVENUE FOR THEM, OUR TUITION AND PHILANTHROPY.

AND SO THEY'RE ALWAYS ALSO GOING TO BE LOOKING FOR FAMILIES WHO ARE GOING TO MAY BE ABLE TO MAKE GENEROUS DONATIONS TO THE INSTITUTION.

>> REGARDLESS SOME SCHOOLS HAVE ANNOUNCED AN END TO THE USE OF LEGACY AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS ARE EXAMINING THE FAIRNESS OF IT IN THEIR ADMISSIONS POLICIES.

FAMILY INCOME CAN ALSO BE A PART OF ADMISSIONS.

SCHOOLS ARE LOOKING FOR A CERTAIN PERCENTAGE OF STUDENTS THAT CAN PAY FULL TUITION.

>> WHEN I WAS A CHIEF ENROLLMENT OFFICER AT AN INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION EVERY YEAR I HAD TO BRING IN A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY IN TUITION REVENUE IN ORDER FOR THE INSTITUTION TO THRIVE AND TO MEET ITS BUDGET.

AND SO EVERY YEAR I HAD TO BALANCE MY REVENUE NEEDS WITH WHAT'S RIGHT FOR STUDENTS.

AND I THINK THAT'S A MODEL THAT THIS COUNTRY REALLY HAS TO GRAPPLE WITH.

THE ISSUE IN OUR COUNTRY IS THAT WE DON'T FUND HIGHER EDUCATION AS IF IT'S A PUBLIC GOOD AS IF IT'S GOOD FOR SOCIETY.

WE KIND OF FUND IT AS IF IT'S GOOD FOR THE INDIVIDUAL AND THAT CONFLICT REALLY ENDS UP COMING TO PLAY IN THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS STUDENTS LACK OF INCOME CAN ALSO BE PART OF WEIGHING APPLICATIONS THAT THERE ARE SOME SCHOOLS WHO ARE WHAT WE CALL ME TO WEAR.

>> AND SO THE WILL LOOK AT WHETHER STUDENTS INTEND TO OR HAVE APPLIED FOR FINANCIAL AID.

>> THAT MEANS A PRIVATE COLLEGE THAT HAS BUDGETED, FOR EXAMPLE, 20 MILLION DOLLARS IN FINANCIAL AID WILL ACCEPT A CLASS THAT DOESN'T EXCEED THAT PRESS REMEMBERS THE FRUSTRATION OF NOT BEING ABLE TO GIVE EVERYONE.

>> THE SEATS.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I USED TO DO WHEN I WORKED AT COLLEGES IS I WOULD SHOW MY TRUSTEES EVERY SINGLE YEAR.

THE DATA ON THE STUDENTS I COULDN'T HAVE MEANT BECAUSE I COULDN'T FUND THEM AND I WOULD GIVE THEM SOME DEMOGRAPHIC INFORMATION.

HERE'S HOW MUCH MORE DIVERSE MY CLASS COULD BE.

IF I HAD MORE FUNDING HERE IS HOW MUCH MORE ACADEMICALLY TALENTED MY CLASS COULD BE.

IF I HAD MORE FUN DAY.

AND SO MOST SCHOOLS KEEP THAT DATA, BUT THEY'RE CERTAINLY NEVER GOING TO MAKE THAT PUBLIC.

>> SOMETIMES THE NATION'S MOST ELITE UNIVERSITIES CAN ACTUALLY AFFORD TO BE MORE GENEROUS WITH FINANCIAL AID.

THAT'S BECAUSE THEY HAVE LARGE ENDOWMENT STATS, MONEY AND ASSETS THAT HAVE BEEN DONATED TO THE INSTITUTION.

AND WHILE PUBLIC UNIVERSITIES MAY NOT HAVE AS LARGE OF ENDOWMENTS, THEY DO GET PUBLIC DOLLARS THAT SUBSTANTIALLY REDUCE THE COST OF STUDENT TUITION.

>> AND SO WHAT YOU THE PRICE OF A DEGREE OFTEN DETERMINES WHERE OR EVEN IF A STUDENT GOES TO COLLEGE.

>> INCOMES HAVEN'T KEPT UP WITH THE COST OF AN EDUCATION OVER THE DECADES AND STUDENT DEBT HAS EXPLODED.

SHAPIRO IS RESEARCH DIRECTOR FOR THE NATIONAL STUDENT CLEARINGHOUSE STUDENTS AND FAMILIES ARE BEING ASKED TO PAY A MUCH LARGER SHARE OF THE BURDEN OF THEIR EDUCATION.

>> THEN WE'VE DONE IN THIS COUNTRY IN MANY, MANY YEARS.

>> ACCORDING TO A SURVEY BY U.S.

NEWS, A STUDENT AT AN IN-STATE PUBLIC COLLEGE IN THE 2022.

23 SCHOOL YEAR PAID ON AVERAGE MORE THAN $10,400 IN TUITION AND FEES.

THAT DOESN'T INCLUDE ROOM AND BOARD OUT OF STATE STUDENTS AT PUBLIC COLLEGES PAY NEARLY $23,000 AND STUDENTS AT PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS PAID NEARLY $40,000.

>> IT'S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR FAMILIES TO HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT AM I WILLING TO PAY WHILE I'M IN SCHOOL AND THEN WHAT KIND OF MONTHLY I WILLING TO MAKE AFTER I GRADUATE AND THE CONVERSATION HAS TO HAPPEN, NOT JUST WITH STUDENTS, BUT ALSO WITH THE PARENTS BECAUSE MANY PARENTS ARE TAKING A PARENT PLUS LOANS WHICH ARE LOANS SPECIFICALLY FOR PARENTS.

>> YOU CAN WATCH THE COMPLETE DOCUMENTARY DREAM SCHOOL ALONG WITH OTHER AMAZING ORIGINAL FEATURES ON OUR WEBSITE WCU DOT ORG.

COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, FINDING A FOREVER HOME OVER 4,000 MILES AWAY.

WE LOOK AT THE JOURNEY THAT BROUGHT 3 DOGS TO NORTH FORT MYERS FOR A CHANCE AT A BETTER LIFE >> AND NORTH FORT MYERS COUPLE HAS A FAMILY NUMBERING OVER 200 AND THEY'RE ALL DOGS.

THE MOST RECENT EDITION CAME AFTER LEARNING ABOUT THE DEVASTATING TREATMENT OF HUNTING DOGS IN SPAIN.

WGCUS CARY BARBOR SHARES THE STORY OF A LOCAL ANIMAL RESCUE THAT PUTS 3 GREYHOUNDS ON A ONE-WAY FLIGHT FROM SPAIN TO SOUTHWEST FLORIDA.

>> IT WAS A LONG TRIP FROM CORDOBA, SPAIN TO THE ANIMAL REFUGE CENTER IN NORTH FORT MYERS.

FIRST, INTERNATIONAL ADOPTION WAS EASY FOR THE ARC STAFF.

ONCE THEY'D HEARD ABOUT THE NEGLECTFUL AND ABUSIVE TREATMENT OF THE DOGS WERE SUBJECTED TO IN SPAIN.

WE KNOW LINE IN IS BOARD PRESIDENT OF THE ANIMAL REFUGE CENTER.

>> ALLY FOR THESE DOGS.

THERE IS.

THEY'RE USED AS DUMPING GROUNDS.

AND THERE IS A HUNTING SEASON EVERY YEAR, I GUESS JUST LIKE EVERYWHERE ELSE.

AND IF THE DOGS DON'T MEET.

I'M CERTAIN WE'LL CALL THEM ARBITRARY REQUIREMENTS OF OF THE HUNTERS THAT HAVE.

ACQUIRED THEM BOUGHT THEM.

I DON'T KNOW EXACTLY HOW THAT WORKS.

THAT OFTENTIMES THOSE DOGS ARE KILLED BEFORE THE SEASON EVEN STARTS KILLED IN VERY CRUEL WAYS.

AND THEN THE FLIP SIDE OF THAT IS WHEN HUNTING SEASON IS OVER.

THEY'RE DISCOURAGED AS WELL.

THEY'RE HOM DROWNED.

THEIR SHOT THERE.

SOME OF THE ICING WILL WILL MAKE YOU CRY.

>> OUR TEAMED UP WITH SEVERAL DOG WELFARE CHARITIES, INCLUDING GALLEGOS.

STILL, SIR, A RESCUE IN CORDOBA.

3 GREYHOUNDS REX NEPTUNE AND HARLOW WERE FLOWN OVER BY COMMERCIAL AIRLINE.

ONCE ALL THEIR HEALTH AND CUSTOMS REQUIREMENTS WERE MET.

THEY WERE BROUGHT TO THE QUIET SHADY PROPERTY OF ARC, A SPECIAL ANIMAL REFUGE.

THE 501 C 3 NON-PROFIT NO-KILL, SHELTER SITS ON 22 ACRES OF LAND, 10 OF WHICH HOUSE ABOUT 200 CATS AND 60 DOGS.

CATS ROAM FREE AROUND ONE OF 11 CLIMATE CONTROLLED BUILDINGS.

EACH FEATURING A 360 DEGREE SCREENED-IN PORCH.

EACH DOG HAS THEIR OWN LITTLE HOUSE OR LODGE.

>> STORM WATCHES ARE HEATED AND AIR-CONDITIONED.

THEY'VE GOT THEIR OWN PORCH SUMMER SCREENED IN OUR NEWER BUILDINGS ARE NOT SCREENED IN PORCH IS, BUT THEY'RE VERY NICE BUILDINGS.

THEY'VE GOT THEIR OWN YARD TO RUN IN.

THEY CAN SEE EVERYTHING THAT'S GOING ON AROUND THEM AND THEIR NEIGHBORS AND PEOPLE WALKING BY HIM THAT WILL ALL COME OUT TO GREET YOU COURSE NEFF AND SEE WHAT YOU'RE UP TO AS YOU'RE WALKING BY.

BUT THERE HAS VERY DIFFERENTLY THAN ANYWHERE ELSE.

>> WHAT ALSO SETS ARC APART IS THAT THE ANIMALS ARE CARED FOR FOR LIFE.

>> SO WHEN YOU ADOPT AN ANIMAL HERE, YOU AGREE TO RETURN IT TO US.

IF IT DOESN'T WORK OUT FOR ANY REASON.

WE TAKE OUR ANIMALS BACK LITERALLY FOR LIFE.

SO YOU COULD ADOPT A DOG AT 6 MONTHS OLD.

AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN YOU FIND YOURSELF IN YOUR 70'S OR 80'S AND HAVING PROBLEMS AND THIS DOG STILL HAS YEARS TO GO.

AND THEY'RE LIKE, I CAN'T TAKE CARE OF MY DOG ANYMORE.

CAME FROM MARK.

WHEN CAN YOU BRING IT BACK?

>> REX NEPTUNE AND HARLOW ARE GETTING USED TO JUST BEING DOGS AND ENJOYING THEIR NEW ACCOMMODATIONS.

THE GOAL SAYS LINE IN IS TO FIND LOVING HOMES FOR THEM.

LIKELY PEOPLE FAMILIAR WITH GREYHOUNDS.

>> THEY'RE VERY AFFECTIONATE AND DO NOT ALIGN U N LEANED AGAINST WHO THEY LOVE TO GO FOR WALKS.

THEY'RE VERY INTERESTED IN CATS HERE.

YOU PASS A CAT HOUSE WITH A GREYHOUND THAT WAS USED FOR HUNTING RABBITS AND YOU GET A LITTLE EXCITED.

SO THEY'RE VERY FUNNY.

THEY ALL HAVE THEIR THEIR OWN LITTLE PERSONALITIES AND WE LOVE THEM.

I'M GOING TO SOUND WE FIND HOMES BUT WE'RE VERY MUCH LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT.

>> ONCE THESE 3, YOU'RE SETTLED IN NEW HOMES LINE AND SAYS THEY'LL RETURN TO CORDOBA TO BRING OVER MORE DOGS FOR WGCU NEWS.

I'M CARY BARBOR.

>> ON OUR NEXT PROGRAM, FLORIDA LAWMAKERS ARE PREPARING FOR A RETURN TO TALLAHASSEE TO TALK ABOUT REDISTRICTING.

AND THAT'S NOT THE ONLY TOPIC ON THE UPCOMING AGENDA.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US.

MAKE SURE YOU HEAD TO WHEC DOT ORG WHERE YOU'LL FIND ALL OF OUR STORIES.

HAVE A GREAT EVENING AND WE LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING YOU BACK HERE NEXT.

TIME ON SOUTHWEST FLORIDA IN FOCUS.