Some 60 colleges and universities now face "enforcement actions" over claims of campus antisemitism, the U.S. Department of Education warned just a few days after yanking $400 million in grants from Columbia University over alleged civil rights infractions.
Colleges and universities under investigation for campus antisemitism now risk losing federal contracts and grants, the Department of Education warns. The first target is Columbia University.
In moments of division, leaders are encouraged to embrace the roles of “educators and bridge-builders” to create environments where empathy and understanding take priority over conflict, per report.
The University of Texas at Austin and Emerson College have recently announced staff layoffs due to declining enrollment numbers and internal crises linked to the recent wave of protests. Some staff believe institutions are using the demonstrations as a scapegoat to downsize.
Several institutions have found ways to sooth student frustrations without calling in law enforcement, a strategy which risks emboldening protestors and casting a dark shadow on a university's image.
Students frustrated with the abrupt notice and lack of transparency took to The College of Saint Rose's official public announcement to voice their concerns, booing Board Chair Jeffrey Stone a few minutes into his speech.
From students all the way up to leadership, college and university community members who've spoken out on the Hamas-Israel conflict have faced intense backlash, further embroiling college campuses in an incendiary humanitarian crisis overseas.
With infections again trending upward, some institutions are reestablishing their commitment to vaccine requirements; with one college going so far as to reinstate mask mandates.
Recommended for the chopping block was the entire Department of World Languages, Literatures and Linguistics, which houses bachelor's programs in Chinese Studies, French, German Studies, Russian Studies and Spanish.
"The higher education system is broken," said Colorado College President Song Richardson at the Department of Education's summit discussing the end of affirmative action.
The merger is the second announced in two years, which the president believes is "part of a strategic repositioning of the entire WVU System for success in a challenging collegiate landscape."
Since the beginning of April, at least 27 higher education institutions have received calls about an active shooter, a hostage situation or a bomb threat, only to discover they were fake or unfounded once police arrived on the scene. Some officials believe we need to change our conception of swatting incidents entirely.
Faculty and staff across the country can be severely impacted by a national tragedy. Seli Fakorzi from TimelyMD provides schools with useful tips on how to facilitate healing.
Recessions typically lead to an uptick in enrollment, but the aftereffects of the pandemic are injecting yet more uncertainty into how hard the expected economic slowdown will hit colleges and universities.
Staffing shortages are reaching crisis levels in financial aid offices, leaving administrators concerned about serving students adequately and remaining in compliance.
The University of Alabama is allowing its staff, faculty and student workers to receive benefits beyond the expiration of the national program that ended in December.
Tim Hall has helped transform New York's Mercy College and kept it strong through the pandemic. He shares his journey and advice to other higher education leaders
Looking ahead to 2021, being able to deliver succinct, well-thought-out messaging from college leaders will be a must, especially with various stakeholders looking for guidance
