More students, and colleges, consider the benefits of gap years

Many colleges encourage admitted students to defer their enrollment for a year and engage in volunteer, work or travel experiences.

By Tara García Mathewson • May 3, 2016

UW-Madison: Concerned, but committed (at least for now)

Faculty are planning a no-confidence vote against the University of Wisconsin Board of Regents and System President Ray Cross today. But one long-time faculty member says he isn't looking to leave just yet. 

By Jerlando F. L. Jackson • May 2, 2016

U of Illinois non-tenured faculty reach agreement, stop strike

Non-tenured, full-time faculty at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have come to a tentative agreement for their first labor contract since unionizing in 2014, stopping a strike.  

By Tara García Mathewson • May 2, 2016

Study: Higher ed falling behind fast in digital transformation

A study of college and university digital practices found schools are doing little more than publishing content, missing opportunities to deliver experiences and engage students.

By Tara García Mathewson • May 2, 2016

Should presidential candidates consider performance-based funding?

Presidential candidates are making college debt a key element of their education platforms, but in the quest for institutional accountability, retention efforts may be a better focus area.

By Tara García Mathewson • May 2, 2016

University of Akron ends talks with ITT for potential partnership

Opponents feared the deal would shift the community-based school into an online resource.

By Tara García Mathewson • May 2, 2016

Penn State grad students flock to online teaching program

Penn State University’s World Campus offered an online teaching course, expecting 30 doctoral students, and more than 300 signed up, making a case for turning it into a core offering.

By Tara García Mathewson • May 2, 2016

Shareholders considering sale of U of Phoenix parent company

Apollo Education Group has extended the deadline to vote on a proposed sale, which, if rejected, could mean a sale of the University of Phoenix alone.

By Tara García Mathewson • April 29, 2016

Google, Udacity partnership teaches mobile app development

Educators can gain skills necessary to create apps for use in courses.

By Tara García Mathewson • April 29, 2016

MA commissioner of higher ed plans a stop to sick/vacation time payouts

Nearly 300 former higher education employees have received payouts of more than $50,000 for unused sick and vacation time.

By Tara García Mathewson • April 29, 2016

Higher ed CIO says student devices shifting the digital landscape

The average student brings as many as seven devices to campus. What does this mean for bandwidth management and widespread WiFi coverage?

By Tara García Mathewson • April 29, 2016

Law schools scoff at methodology, but continue to game the rankings

Two sociologists conducted more than 200 anonymous interviews with law school admissions officers, deans and others, finding that gaming the rankings is ubiquitous.

By Tara García Mathewson • April 29, 2016

Open-source assessment tool could transform college advising

Excelsior College has developed a new way of measuring college readiness with the Diagnostic Assessment and Achievement of College Skills, or DAACS.

By Tara García Mathewson • April 28, 2016

Two-year students less likely to get a bachelor's, but those who do, do well

New research examines the impact of starting at a two-year college on bachelor’s degree attainment, finding the relatively few students who do transfer and graduate are better off.

By Tara García Mathewson • April 28, 2016

Public colleges relying more on state funding, less on tuition

The annual State Higher Education Finance Report shows, for the second year in a row, schools are getting a smaller portion of revenue from tuition and more from their states.

By Tara García Mathewson • April 28, 2016

Despite some professors' discomfort, online ed here to stay

Henry Lucas, a professor at the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business and author of a book about technology and education argues professors will have to embrace online classes.

By Tara García Mathewson • April 28, 2016

Howard rebates a portion of tuition to graduating students

Howard University leaders announced a tuition rebate plan in February, and now the first students are getting back 50% of what they paid their final semester.

By Tara García Mathewson • April 28, 2016

Administrators empower students to fill void on campus solutions

With institutions across the country seeking to increase student retention and close the graduation gap, one institution may have a roadmap for success.

By Autumn A. Arnett • April 28, 2016

Should higher education turn to private investors for facilities needs?

The practice has been controversial, distrusted by some and embraced by those who see it as a good way to expand facilities without going into debt or relying on fundraising.

By Tara García Mathewson • April 27, 2016

Chinese private education provider buys UConn campus

The Weiming Education group will pay $12.6 million for a 58-acre University of Connecticut campus in West Hartford, and it plans to turn the space into an international school.

By Tara García Mathewson • April 27, 2016

IL governor picks faculty representative who doesn't agree with most faculty

Gov. Bruce Rauner selected a part-time instructor from the state’s flagship as the lone faculty representative on the Illinois Board of Higher Education.

By Tara García Mathewson • April 27, 2016

UNC to avoid harsh punishments following paper class scandal

While the fake classes scandal at UNC Chapel Hill is arguably the worst academic-athletics scandal in recent memory, the NCAA will probably stay away from harsh punishments.

By Tara García Mathewson • April 27, 2016

NYU study finds educational inequality may have shifted to college

While there is now a smaller gap in high school graduation rates for high- and low-income students than in the past, researchers find growing gaps in college enrollment.

By Tara García Mathewson • April 27, 2016

Two years after founding, 'My Brother's Keeper' shows signs of success

The Initiative is making waves with national partnerships to advance outcomes for at-risk youth.

By Autumn A. Arnett • April 27, 2016

Helping students choose 'responsible borrowing'

Western Governors University operates its financial aid office under the belief that students shouldn't take out loans just because they're eligible for them. 

By Tara García Mathewson • April 27, 2016