Policy and Legal Affairs

Trump administration now looking into foreign donations at Harvard

After targeting Harvard University's federal funding, the Trump administration has turned its attention to the activities of the school's international students and its donations from overseas.  

Harvard funding withheld, Trump suddenly revokes student visas

Harvard President Alan Garber released a statement arguing that the Trump administration's demands to submit to new directives are illegal and violate First Amendment rights.

Department of Education lawsuits: 2 coalitions challenge Trump’s plans

Two coalitions of higher ed and K12 advocates filed separate lawsuits this week, hoping to derail President Donald Trump's executive order to close the Department of Education.

Trump orders elimination of Department of Education; shifts ‘core functions’

Title I, services for students with disabilities, Pell Grants and other programs will be "preserved in full" to be administered by other agencies, the president said Thursday.

What happened to loan borrowers’ repayment plans?

Loan borrowers' access to income-driven repayment plans and forgiveness have been thrown into limbo by a recent Department of Education memo.

‘Unreasonable’ DEI letter must be rescinded, higher ed coalition urges

The Dear Colleague Letter's deadline has left higher ed leaders scrambling to determine whether their programs comply with unclear new rules, according to a letter from the American Council on Education and more than 60 other organizations.

Colleges are tearing down DEI with funding threats looming

Amid the unfolding wave of federal policies targeting DEI, some colleges and universities are opting to make swift policy changes. 

Here are 4 big ways McMahon sees Education Department changing

Linda McMahon, President Trump's pick for the Department of Education, hinted at several ways she plans to lead the agency during her confirmation hearing last week.

How reduced federal spending can hurt state support for higher ed

President Trump's calls for reduced federal spending threaten to saddle states with more obligations. This could reduce discretionary spending on higher education, according to one expert from SHEEO.

Transgender sports ban: DOE quickly puts 2 universities under investigation

The Department is investigating two separate cases at the University of Pennsylvania and San Jose State University involving the participation of a transgender woman on a women's athletic team.

‘Compliance U’: Colleges and universities are facing new legal complexities

Federal compliance in higher education is becoming more complicated, potentially altering the power structure of institutions.

Office of Civil Rights was very busy under Biden

The Department of Education received a record number of civil rights complaints three years in a row under former president Joe Biden's administration.

Undocumented students: 10 ways to keep their data safe

The Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration shared a webinar on how colleges can support undocumented students, with particular focus on protecting sensitive information.

These 3 big campus movements will falter under new administration

A trio of left-leaning campaigns in higher ed have lost momentum as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to re-enter the White House.

Here’s why better funding doesn’t equate to stronger student outcomes

Leadership skill in translating dollars to student success initiatives is just one reason why stronger state funding doesn't necessarily boost graduation rates.

How will Trump impact higher ed? Report urges focus on civic engagement

With Donald Trump returning to the White House, higher ed leaders are being encouraged to re-energize programs aimed at keeping students engaged in the Democratic process and civic affairs. 

How a looming Trump presidency is already affecting college life

President-elect Donald Trump's aggressive stance on immigration has led some institutions and related organizations to begin issuing guidance to students ahead of his inauguration.

Higher ed market: Is it too hard to open a new college?

Despite recent fluctuations, the number of college students has grown over the last 30 years. The number of colleges, on the other hand, has not.

How your higher ed colleagues fared in the 2024 election

The fate of the Department of Education may appear murky since the 2024 election. Plenty of other ballot results will have a clearer impact on higher ed.

Green colleges: Who’s No. 1 nine years in a row?

To be at the top of the green colleges list for nearly a decade, it takes steps such as offering bachelor’s and master’s degrees in human ecology—exclusively—and striving to become fossil-fuel free.

Censorship on campus is getting more sophisticated, report warns

A stealthier wave of censorship campaigns is hitting college campuses as lawmakers in some states move to restrict academic freedom beyond the wave of "educational gag orders" enacted in recent years, a new report warns.

Gainful employment rules delayed, providing relief for colleges

The gainful employment and financial value transparency reporting requirements, which would've gone into effect on Oct. 1, are now delayed until Jan. 15. Higher ed advocates had pushed for a longer extension.

AI innovations: How to balance the legal and governance considerations

The proliferation of AI innovations in higher education presents significant benefits for improved efficiency and enhanced learning opportunities.

Here are 2 developments that could compromise the DOE in the next year

Title IX, student loan forgiveness and federal oversight over institutions are in the crosshairs of two Republican-led initiatives with the power to overhaul public higher education.

Is higher ed underpriced? New bill would slash education budget

The FY 2025 bill, approved by an appropriations subcommittee, would cut funding in half for campus-based aid and slash the Student Aid Administration budget by 26%.

Academic Integrity in the Age of AI: Developing Effective Policies for Higher Ed

Date & Time: Tuesday, August 6th at 2 pm ET

In this 20-minute UB Ed Talk, a strategic consultant and former higher ed leader will discuss the complexities of integrating AI into academic settings, and how to ensure that new policies align with institutional values and minimize threats to academic integrity, while emphasizing fairness, transparency, and safety. 

Title IX turmoil: 26 states are fighting new LGBTQ+ rules

The Department of Education wants to extend sex-discrimination-based protections to gay and transgender students. However, one U.S. district chief judge believes the effort "derail[s] deeply rooted law."

Is Biden’s Title IX rule built to last? This expert is unsure

With increased protections afforded to LGBTQIA+ students and new protections afforded to alleged sexual assault victims, Biden's long-awaited Title IX revisions are already facing criticism.

Distance education via online learning may be in a for a huge shake-up due to this proposal

While an agreement that allows smaller schools to provide online learning free of complicated compliance measures may be in peril, some experts believe the need for stronger consumer protection outweighs the negatives.

How policymakers, higher ed leaders aim to correctly implement performance-based funding

While the model has been adopted and discarded across the country since the 1970s, recent guidelines aim to ensure its staying power. 

Performance-based funding: The new normal or a schtick?

While the model has recently drawn fanfare from policymakers, some higher education leaders and the public, others argue that evidence suggests that it will not only not work, but it will also backfire.

New proposal offers federal funding for AI literacy in higher ed

The 'Artificial Intelligence Literacy Act' would provide grants to help develop interdisciplinary programs with nontraditional learners in mind and cultivate hands-on lab opportunities, all in order to facilitate a new wave of digital education.

Why federal oversight on higher education is growing on multiple fronts

Conflict in the Middle East and souring U.S.-China relations has stirred federal lawmakers and agencies to draw an antagonistic eye toward higher education and the nature of U.S. research.

Here’s what’s at stake in these high-level negotiation talks with school stakeholders

The Education Department has released a series of papers outlining how they propose to increase program integrity and institutional quality in higher education, building on the Biden Administration's longstanding mission to improve school accountability.

This for-profit believes it’s being “targeted” by the government

Grand Canyon University (Ariz.) President Brian Mueller said the Feds intend to issue a fine to the university for being deceptive about the costs of its doctorate programs,