Policy & Legal

Senate education committee deadlocks on Biden's nominee for civil rights head

The split tally on party lines reflects the deep political divisions around Catherine Lhamon, who led the Office for Civil Rights under Obama.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Aug. 03, 2021

Ed Dept accuses college operator of selling enrollments when shutting down

The agency also emailed students affected by the closures to explain their transfer and loan discharge options.

By Natalie Schwartz • Aug. 02, 2021

Dozens of higher ed groups call on lawmakers to allow coronavirus prevention measures

The American College Health Association led a statement criticizing legislators for passing laws that restrict vaccine and mask mandates. 

By Natalie Schwartz • Aug. 02, 2021

California governor signs bill to expand student aid, create new transfer pathways

The state is providing funding for higher education as part of its plan to rebuild the economy after the health crisis.

By Natalie Schwartz • July 28, 2021

Ed and State departments recommit to international education

The government's statement follows high-profile skirmishes over immigration policies between higher ed groups and the Trump administration.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • July 27, 2021

What colleges can do after DACA was ruled unlawful

Schools should signal their support to unauthorized immigrant students and provide them with mental health services on campus, observers say.

By Natalie Schwartz • July 23, 2021

Ed Dept offers colleges advice on improving ventilation in coronavirus era

The agency noted institutions can use federal aid to make changes to their facilities.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • July 23, 2021

Higher ed groups call on Ed Dept to scrutinize Walden U sale

Adtalem Global Education plans to buy the online university for nearly $1.5B in cash, but the deal has been fraught from nearly the start.

By Natalie Schwartz • July 22, 2021

Wisconsin lawmakers decline to expand free college program

A proposal would have let students from households earning $60,000 or less per year attend University of Wisconsin System campuses tuition free.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • UPDATED: July 28, 2021 at 11:03 a.m.

Illinois higher education agencies advise all colleges to mandate coronavirus vaccine

The state is among a few to encourage such requirements on campuses.

By Natalie Schwartz • July 20, 2021

Appeals court upholds Indiana U's coronavirus vaccine mandate

Students suing the institution over the requirement did not immediately prove their constitutional rights were being violated, according to the decision.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • UPDATED: Aug. 2, 2021 at 4:54 p.m.

Missouri governor signs bill removing public college tuition cap

Public schools previously could only raise their prices to keep up with inflation or account for state funding cuts.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • July 19, 2021

With the fall approaching, colleges reevaluate vaccination mandates

College leaders in different states are adding and dropping vaccine rules as they navigate thorny legal considerations.

By Natalie Schwartz • July 16, 2021

Report: No 'strong evidence' to show top colleges disfavor Asian American applicants

With a Supreme Court case possible, Georgetown University researchers countered several common arguments from affirmative action opponents.

By Natalie Schwartz • July 15, 2021

Republicans receive Biden's OCR pick skeptically during Senate hearing

Catherine Lhamon, the White House's choice to lead the Office for Civil Rights, may be weighed down by her tenure in the Obama administration.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • July 13, 2021

21 Republican AGs take aim at the Biden administration's Title IX interpretation

The Eduction Department said last month that the federal sex discrimination law protects gender identity and sexual orientation.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • July 09, 2021

Tenn. commission to recommend how to right underfunding at state HBCU

A recent audit found the state didn't match federal grants to Tennessee State for decades, potentially costing the school up to $544 million.

By Natalie Schwartz • July 08, 2021

Massachusetts bill to boost state higher ed funding gains backing

Dozens of legislators have signed onto the measure, which would send $500 million more annually to public institutions for five years.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • July 06, 2021

Ohio bill would effectively ban public colleges from requiring the coronavirus vaccine

Gov. Mike DeWine, a Republican, hasn't indicated whether he will sign the bill. It mirrors other actions states are taking to limit vaccine mandates.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • July 02, 2021

Ed Dept took 'unprecedented' steps when overseeing for-profit schools' sale, report finds

The agency's internal watchdog flagged several issues with the way it handled the Dream Center's failed bid to buy and run 13 colleges.

By Natalie Schwartz • July 01, 2021

Florida governor signs bill shielding colleges from coronavirus lawsuits

Students and families largely can't sue institutions — both public and private — that moved online due to COVID-19 restrictions.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • July 01, 2021

Public support for paying college athletes split, survey says

The polling comes on the heels of a U.S. Supreme Court decision that players can receive education-related benefits.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • June 25, 2021

Cardona pitches higher ed priorities during House grilling

Student loan debt and related regulations made up a large portion of the discussion during the virtual hearing.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • June 24, 2021

Ed Dept says it will issue a new Title IX regulation

The move was widely expected, as President Joe Biden promised to unravel the rule put forth by the former administration.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • June 23, 2021

Students sue Indiana U, claiming vaccine requirement is illegal

They allege the mandate is a violation of the 14th Amendment and state law. The institution says it will still enforce the rule.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • June 23, 2021