Policy & Legal: Page 24


  • The Wisconsin State Capitol dome reflecting in a steel and glass building
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    YangYin via Getty Images
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    Wisconsin governor sues Republican legislators over withheld university pay raises

    The complaint, which also takes aim at other recent lawmaker actions, is the latest development in a prolonged fight over DEI spending.

    By Nov. 1, 2023
  • Facade of the Department of Education building located in Washington, D.C.
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    The image by Farragutful is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    Final Title IX rules delayed once more as Education Department misses deadline

    The agency did not announce a new deadline for the two proposals, though advocacy groups worry about keeping the current rule in place.

    By Naaz Modan • Nov. 1, 2023
  • U.S. President Joe Biden gestures with his hands while speaking from behind a podium.
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    Joe Raedle via Getty Images
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    Inside the Biden admin’s loan forgiveness proposal for specific borrowers

    The Education Department will aim to wipe away debts for certain individuals, like those who entered repayment 25 or more years ago.

    By Oct. 31, 2023
  • A building on Grand Canyon University's campus, in Phoenix.
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    "Grand Canyon University" by davidpinter is licensed under CC BY 3.0
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    Grand Canyon University fined $37.7M over accusations of cost misrepresentations

    An Education Department investigation alleges the Christian institution falsely advertised doctoral program costs to over 7,500 students.

    By Oct. 31, 2023
  • Georgia system sued over alleged underfunding of 3 public HBCUs

    The lawsuit says poor state investment has disadvantaged Black students at these institutions and subjected them to de facto segregation.

    By Oct. 27, 2023
  • The Wisconsin State Capitol dome reflecting in a steel and glass building
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    YangYin via Getty Images
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    Wisconsin lawmakers seek to ban race-conscious scholarships

    The bill’s authors cited the Supreme Court decision against race-conscious admissions in their memo, even though that ruling did not address college aid.

    By Oct. 26, 2023
  • An individual writing up a college or university application form with laptop nearby.
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    Tero Vesalainen via Getty Images
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    How the new FAFSA form will affect state grants for college students

    State aid programs may need to adapt, as they often rely on data elements from the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, SHEEO said. 

    By Oct. 25, 2023
  • A wide shot of the U.S. Supreme Court building
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    Al Drago via Getty Images
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    Opinion

    The Supreme Court is poised to drop another DEI shoe next year

    Another case pending before the high court may further restrict what employers can lawfully do to increase diversity. 

    By Jonathan A. Segal and Adam D. Brown • Oct. 25, 2023
  • A close up of Education Department logo.
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    The image by Maryland GovPics is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Education Department unveils stricter college oversight rules

    The regulatory package broadens the circumstances in which financially shaky colleges must offer letters of credit, among other consumer protections.

    By Oct. 24, 2023
  • California state flag and state capitol building in Sacramento
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    DustyPixel via Getty Images
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    California passed a flurry of higher education laws. Here’s what they’ll do.

    Gov. Gavin Newsom recently signed several bills with big goals, from easing transfer pathways to building more affordable student housing.

    By Oct. 24, 2023
  • The Norton Campus Center at Birmingham-Southern College
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    The image by Jwrandolph is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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    Judge dismisses Birmingham-Southern’s lawsuit over denied $30M state loan

    The college wanted a court order forcing the state treasurer to issue the funding, saying it would likely close without emergency relief.

    By Updated Oct. 25, 2023
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    Andy Manis via Getty Images
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    Republican lawmakers skip raises for Wisconsin university employees in DEI fight

    The state's Legislature has waged a protracted battle against diversity, equity and inclusion efforts at college campuses.

    By Oct. 18, 2023
  • The front of the Arkansas State Capitol building.
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    Davel5957 via Getty Images
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    Arkansas lawmakers grill college leaders over DEI

    Six public colleges faced questions on diversity spending and hiring practices ahead of potential legislation coming down the pike.

    By Oct. 17, 2023
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    Ilya Burdun via Getty Images
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    A dozen education groups press Education Department for FAFSA release date

    The groups say “every day counts” to help students go through the new process for filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.

    By Oct. 16, 2023
  • Elon University student at the Charlotte Regional Center speaking in court
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    Permission granted by Elon University / Rob Brown
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    Sponsored by Elon University

    A need for lawyers in the Carolinas

    Career opportunities await in two states at or near the lowest in the U.S. for attorneys per capita.

    Oct. 16, 2023
  • President Joe Biden
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    Mark Makela via Getty Images
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    Conservative groups target Education Department’s $39B forgiveness plan

    A judge dismissed a lawsuit against the Biden administration's clearing of over 804,000 loan balances, but a new appeal says it overstepped its authority.

    By Oct. 12, 2023
  • A Zoom screenshot of several different people meeting for negotiated rulemaking.
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    Retrieved from U.S. Department of Education on October 10, 2023
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    Biden administration takes second swing at mass student loan cancellation

    The prolonged negotiated rulemaking process kicked off with a Tuesday committee meeting.

    By Oct. 11, 2023
  • The North Carolina capitol building
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    The image by Farragutful is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    North Carolina law forces colleges to change accreditors every cycle

    Public colleges in the state will now have to find a new accrediting agency around every five to 10 years, similar to how Florida institutions must operate.

    By Oct. 10, 2023
  • A young Black woman takes notes while reading a book in a public space.
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    SDI Productions via Getty Images
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    Lawmakers press state leaders on land-grant HBCU funding gaps

    Here’s how legislators are reacting after the Biden administration accused 16 states of underfunding historically Black land-grants by over $12 billion.

    By Oct. 10, 2023
  • Rows of cadets facing away from the camera salute
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    Naval Academy sued over race-conscious admissions policies

    This is the second lawsuit that anti-affirmative action group Students for Fair Admissions has filed against a military academy.

    By Oct. 6, 2023
  • New York Gov. Kathy Hochul gives a speech on the Hudson River tunnel project at the West Side Yard on January 31, 2023 in New York City.
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    Michael M. Santiago via Getty Images
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    CUNY, SUNY, some private New York colleges to waive application fees in October

    More than 120 institutions are participating in the initiative, which aims to remove financial barriers for applicants.

    By Oct. 6, 2023
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    damircudic via Getty Images
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    Middle States plan calls for ‘intense scrutiny’ of outsourced marketing, recruiting

    The accreditor is seeking public comment on its new draft policy over colleges’ relationships with online program managers and other third parties. 

    By Oct. 5, 2023
  • A person wearing sunglasses pushes a baby in a store cart.
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    Daphne Howland/Higher Ed Dive
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    Walmart scraps degree requirements for some corporate jobs

    The employer is rewriting job descriptions to allow for either a relevant degree or the skills needed for the job. 

    By Kate Tornone • Oct. 5, 2023
  • A close up of Education Department logo.
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    The image by Maryland GovPics is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Negotiated rulemaking: Decoding the Education Department’s policymaking process

    The Biden administration is embarking on "neg-reg" in pursuit of mass student loan cancellation. Here’s what the higher ed sector can expect.

    By Oct. 4, 2023
  • Close up shiny wooden law gavel in dark brown color on top of a wooden table in an office.
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    Stock Photo via Getty Images
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    Supreme Court won’t hear challenge to visa program for foreign graduates

    A tech worker union wanted the high court to strike down the Optional Practical Training initiative, which last year benefited more than 117,000 students.

    By Oct. 2, 2023