Policy & Legal


  • Florida bill seeks further limit on out-of-state enrollment at top universities

    The state’s House passed a measure that would cap nonresident students to no more than 5% of first-time, full-time fall enrollment at certain institutions. 

    By March 5, 2026
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    Lawmakers mull $15M in emergency funding for Southern Oregon University

    The proposal comes as the public institution wrestles with dwindling cash reserves and a potentially dangerous shortfall by next year.

    By March 5, 2026
  • Trendline

    Artificial Intelligence

    As AI continues its forward march in education and the workplace, colleges are grapplling with how best to incorporate the emerging technology into admissions, coursework and elsewhere.

    By Higher Ed Dive staff
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    John M. Chase via Getty Images
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    Education Department urged to broaden ‘professional’ student definition

    Professional students will be able to borrow $100,000 more than other graduate students, but a proposed rule would exclude certain fields from the higher cap. 

    By March 3, 2026
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    Indiana bill would eliminate ‘low earning’ degrees

    The proposal now heads to Republican Gov. Mike Braun’s desk and would take effect July 1 if he signs off on it.

    By March 2, 2026
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    Natalie Schwartz/Higher Ed Dive
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    ‘We will hold institutions accountable,’ top US education official vows

    At the American Council on Education’s annual conference, Under Secretary Nicholas Kent promised changes to accreditation and other policies.

    By Feb. 27, 2026
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    UNC board approves contested academic freedom definition

    Amid faculty protests, the public North Carolina system's governing board unanimously passed the policy change during its Thursday meeting.

    By Feb. 26, 2026
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    California history professor wins injunction against DEI regulations

    Officials are barred from enforcing the diversity, equity and inclusion rules against Daymon Johnson over his classroom instruction.

    By Feb. 26, 2026
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    The Education Department’s 9 interagency agreements: What is going where

    In moves to downsize, the department is sending some higher education and K-12 programming to other agencies. 

    By Kara Arundel • Feb. 25, 2026
  • President Donald Trump looks on as Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry speaks at the White House on March 24, 2025.
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    Louisiana governor urges Education Department to expand college DEI probe

    Gov. Jeff Landry, a Republican, asked the federal agency to investigate each of the state’s colleges to root out any diversity, equity or inclusion efforts.

    By Feb. 25, 2026
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    DOJ sues University of California over antisemitism allegations in latest salvo

    A University of California, Los Angeles spokesperson said the institution has taken numerous steps to combat antisemitism and "we will vigorously defend our efforts."

    By Updated Feb. 25, 2026
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    Deep Dive

    Congress green-lights education interagency agreements — with reservations

    The U.S. Department of Education has nine such agreements with other agencies, including the departments of Labor and Health and Human Services.

    By Kara Arundel • Feb. 24, 2026
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    Lawmakers release $8.8M of Utah State University’s funding after audit

    Legislators had withheld the money for months while waiting for the audit, which ultimately found spending and governance problems.

    By Feb. 23, 2026
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Week in review: UT System limits ‘controversial’ instruction

    We’re rounding up recent stories, from a regional public university facing a $45 million deficit to other colleges facing budget or program cuts. 

    By Feb. 23, 2026
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    Blueprint for state bills aims to tighten control over gen eds

    New model legislation from conservative think tank Manhattan Institute would also weaken shared governance by limiting faculty bodies to advisory roles. 

    By Feb. 23, 2026
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    Trump administration drops appeal over its $1.2B demand from UC system

    The federal government agreed to no longer challenge an injunction that blocked its mass grant cancellations and hefty payment demand. 

    By Feb. 20, 2026
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    University of Texas System adopts new teaching limits despite faculty concerns

    The system’s governing board approved a policy that requires instructors to limit and balance their teaching about controversial subjects.

    By Feb. 19, 2026
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    Education Department to nix race-based criteria for McNair program

    Conservative groups and two students voluntarily ended their legal challenge against the program given the agency’s plans. 

    By Feb. 19, 2026
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    University of Texas System considers restrictions on ‘controversial’ teaching

    A major faculty group in the state described the proposal as a “sweeping, vague policy” and urged the governing board to reject it. 

    By Feb. 18, 2026
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    Florida university system board chair questions medical school accreditor

    In a new front in the state’s fight with traditional accreditors, Alan Levine asked why the group hadn’t spoken out against gender-affirming care for minors.

    By Feb. 18, 2026
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    Deep Dive

    International enrollment is under pressure. How can colleges respond?

    Amid tighter visa policies, experts suggest colleges expand recruitment efforts and provide foreign students with more flexibility to help them feel welcome. 

    By Danielle McLean • Feb. 17, 2026
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    Iowa lawmakers mull anti-DEI bills for private and public colleges

    State legislators are considering a flurry of proposals this year that would more tightly regulate the higher education sector, including classroom instruction. 

    By Feb. 13, 2026
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    ‘We’re now seeing the results’: Education Department officials tout FAFSA progress

    Satisfaction is up and wait times are short, an agency official told the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators’ legislative conference.

    By Feb. 11, 2026
  • Accreditor takes North Idaho College off probation

    The institution experienced years of leadership and governance turmoil. Now its enrollment is rising and operations are stabilizing, the college says.

    By Feb. 11, 2026
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    Trump secures legal victory on anti-DEI directives

    The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals let two executive orders stand that target diversity, equity inclusion in the higher education sector and elsewhere.

    By Feb. 10, 2026
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    Defense Department cuts academic ties with Harvard

    The Pentagon no longer plans to sponsor studies of military service members at the Ivy League institution as the Trump administration presses its feud with the university.

    By Feb. 9, 2026