Free community college and King’s challenges: The 10 most-read Education Dive stories of 2015

With 2016 just over a week away, take a look back at the most popular features, roundups, and briefs of the year.

By Roger Riddell • Dec. 23, 2015

NYU spends more than $1M to renovate new president's penthouse

The 4,200-square-foot space, which will serve as Andrew Hamilton’s home as well as a university event space, is getting a major makeover ahead of Hamilton’s arrival from Oxford.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 23, 2015

UW-Extension gets approval to grant degrees, to some discord

The Board of Regents for the UW system voted to let the extension program offer its own competency-based degrees, rather than exclusively partner with other UW schools.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 23, 2015

6 books educators should catch up on over the holidays

With a little something for everyone, here's a rundown of holiday reading options to keep on your radar.

By Roger Riddell • Dec. 22, 2015

CollegeNET Inc appeals lawsuit against Common Application

The for-profit tech company is continuing its antitrust claims against the nonprofit Common Application, despite a federal judge's rejection last spring.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 22, 2015

Montana legislator takes on UM athletic subsidies

State Sen. Dick Barrett wants legislators to know the U of Montana system spends $8.5 million each year propping up its athletics program.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 22, 2015

Title IX exemptions used by some colleges to avoid serving LGBT students

A Human Rights Campaign report examined 56 institutions receiving waivers from the anti-discrimination law since 2013.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 22, 2015

California community colleges continue to struggle with accreditor

The National Advisory Committee on Institutional Quality and Integrity voted to limit the ACCJC’s ability to approve four-year degrees.  

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 21, 2015

Christensen Institute's Fisher: Schools must expand students' social capital

Julia Freeland Fisher recently got us up to speed on disruptive innovation in K-12 and higher ed, from personalized learning to alternative credentialing.

By Roger Riddell • Dec. 18, 2015

Cooper Union deal approves charging tuition to ease financial woes

A settlement agreement will let the previously tuition-free school continue to charge tuition as it works on a new strategy.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 18, 2015

CFPB warning colleges over hidden credit card agreements

The letter reads: We have not yet made a determination whether your failure to disclose this agreement violates the CARD Act, but we urge you to reconsider your approach to public disclosure.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 18, 2015

Survey of Wisconsin faculty questioned, but shows strong support for tenure

A survey by a University of Chicago researcher with funding from a conservative think tank showed 89% of respondents would consider leaving the state without tenure protection.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 18, 2015

5 steps to successful competency-based programs

A self-paced model that discards the credit hour and the semester requires new ways of thinking about teaching and learning and new systems to go with them.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 17, 2015

Maine joins N-SARA coalition for online course sharing

The New England State Authorization Reciprocity Agreement (N-SARA) gives member institutions access to online courses offered at other member institutions across the country.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 17, 2015

10-step plan helps faculty achieve universal design for learning

The steps apply to making online courses fully accessible to all users without special accommodations, improving the learning environment for everyone across three key areas.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 16, 2015

Perkins Loan program could be revived by senate legislation

Supporters say the program makes colleges and universities liable for graduates' success.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 16, 2015

New England accreditor proposal could hurt adjuncts

Proposed guidelines do not address "reasonable contractual security" — a sticking point for adjuncts who say course-by-course contracts negatively impact teaching.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 16, 2015

Wisconsin regents pass resolution on free speech and academic freedom

The UW system board approved a resolution Friday saying its universities should not shield individuals from ideas or opinions they find disagreeable or offensive.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 14, 2015

Transfer could be key to college completion goals

The Aspen Institute, the Columbia University’s Teachers College and Public Agenda have joined forces on a campaign to focus on transfer, emphasizing the role of four-year schools.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 14, 2015

Tennessee Promise program sets sights on completion

With enrollment high, state leaders are shifting the focus to retention and completion for the more than 16,000 students who started two-year programs this fall.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 11, 2015

Spellings facing protests before even starting at UNC

The former education secretary will become the system’s new president in March, but students and faculty are already protesting her appointment.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 11, 2015

California accreditor facing federal sanctions

Ahead of an advisory committee's ruling, the U.S. Department of Education recommended denying the ACCJC’s request to accredit community college bachelor’s programs.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 11, 2015

Is affirmative action imperiled following Supreme Court arguments?

Justices heard extended arguments in Abigail Fisher’s case against the University of Texas’ race-conscious admissions plan Wednesday, with a majority appearing skeptical.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 10, 2015

Interviews of trustees, presidents find tensions high, roles changing

Public Agenda conducted in-depth interviews with trustees and presidents who oversee 143 public, non-research universities.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 10, 2015

Alumni, donors hold sway in administrators' protest responses

Some schools are finding themselves caught between what groups of current students are demanding and what alumni and donors think is best for campus.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 10, 2015