In the last two weeks in higher education, presidents who decided to step down are doing so on sound footing.

Whether of their own accord or sparked by community members, some colleges have taken it upon themselves to enter the dialogue, drawing mixed reactions from the community and posing the question of when—if ever—institutions should take a political stance during times of heated world events.

States facing a shortage of resources to support a yearlong influx of migrants are turning institutions' gymnasiums and shacked-up dorms to shoulder some of the weight. Responses from the schools and their communities have been mixed.

Communication breakdown was a common thread troubling leaders when discussing some of higher education's chief issues at The Presidents Dinner in Washington, D.C. last week.