Policy & Legal

Q&A

Can colleges compete with companies like Coursera?

Arthur Levine discusses how trends like personalized education are unfolding, what's driving them, and what can go right or wrong for colleges.

By Rick Seltzer • Sept. 28, 2021

Nebraska judge refuses to block Creighton University COVID-19 vaccine requirement

Students said the vaccines conflict with their anti-abortion values, but Creighton historically hasn't granted exemptions for religious reasons.

By Natalie Schwartz • Sept. 28, 2021

Kentucky State says it needs emergency funding to make it past spring

The HBCU's finances are in a dire state due to years of missteps, an official told lawmakers.

By Natalie Schwartz • Sept. 27, 2021

Deep Dive

What student safeguards are needed if Congress expands Pell to short-term programs?

Recent research found the payoff for short-term Pell offerings varies widely, but some policymakers think they can work with the right precautions.

By Daniel C. Vock • Sept. 27, 2021

9 AAUP conferences urge Congress to add colleges to Biden's vaccine mandate

Some of the groups are located in conservative Southern states where laws have limited the coronavirus countermeasures that schools can take.

By Natalie Schwartz • Sept. 24, 2021

California sets aside $500M to grow affordable housing for students

Lawmakers are hoping to address the housing crunch as well as cap rent for low-income students.

By Natalie Schwartz • Sept. 20, 2021

Report: Federal income-driven repayment 'built to be a debt trap'

The system meant to help some borrowers actually burdens them in some cases, according to the Student Borrower Protection Center.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Sept. 20, 2021

New Jersey governor signs college cost transparency law

The legislation builds on an earlier measure passed in 2019.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Sept. 17, 2021

What the University System of Georgia's tenure proposal could mean

One faculty member called the changes an attack on the tenure system, though others are withholding their judgment until they see how they're carried out. 

By Natalie Schwartz • Sept. 16, 2021

Appeals court orders Southeastern Oklahoma State University to rehire transgender professor, with tenure

Judges rejected an argument that reinstatement would be impossible because of hostility between the two sides.

By Natalie Schwartz • Sept. 14, 2021

Senate confirms James Kvaal to Ed Dept's top higher ed post

The nomination had been held up by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, who was demanding the Biden administration rework the federal student loan system.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Sept. 14, 2021

House Democrats press for speedy release of Title IX proposal

"Students cannot wait much longer for the Department to restore their civil rights," Congressional members said to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Sept. 14, 2021

Column

Is Biden's vaccine mandate legal? It doesn't matter.

The administration has decided the economic and public health benefits of a requirement are worth the risk of a judicial defeat later.

By Kate Tornone • Sept. 10, 2021

Feds to require large employers mandate coronavirus vaccine

Higher education associations are waiting for more details on the mandates, but they will likely affect many colleges.

By Ryan Golden • Sept. 10, 2021

Mills officials countersue alumnae association over merger plan

College leaders allege merger opponents publicly shared confidential information and are driving the college to financial ruin.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Sept. 08, 2021

New Biden executive order seeks to boost HBCUs

The White House reaffirmed initiatives focused on equity and economic opportunity as historically Black institutions see new national prominence.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Sept. 07, 2021

20 states sue Education Department over Title IX interpretation

Conservative states fight the agency's stance that sexual orientation and gender identity are protected under the sex discrimination law.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Sept. 02, 2021

Federal judge blocks college athlete vaccine mandate in Michigan, preserves one for workers

Western Michigan women's soccer players don't have to get the shot for now, but a Michigan State employee likely will.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Sept. 01, 2021

Ed Dept gave too much relief funding to some colleges, watchdog finds

The U.S. Government Accountability Office studied how the department processes grants and recommended it strengthen procedures.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Aug. 27, 2021

Illinois governor requires college students, workers to be vaccinated against COVID-19

Gov. J.B. Pritzker's move prompted criticism among conservatives and took some schools by surprise.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Aug. 27, 2021

Arkansas attorney general issues opinion denouncing critical race theory

Teaching the concept at public colleges could violate state and federal law, according to the opinion, which raised academic freedom concerns.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Aug. 26, 2021

Former Republican governor leading Wisconsin system rebuffs GOP lawmakers' effort to control COVID rules

Tommy Thompson railed against legislators, saying he would not abdicate responsibility to keep campuses safe.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Aug. 25, 2021

Colleges can now consider testimony outside hearings in Title IX investigations

The Education Department will no longer enforce part of a Trump-era rule that forced schools to only factor in statements subject to cross-examination.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Aug. 25, 2021

Will full FDA approval of a coronavirus vaccine alter colleges' fall plans?

The move, which the agency made Monday, may not change colleges' legal considerations, experts say. But it could offer a chance to build trust.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • UPDATED: Aug. 23, 2021 at 2:30 p.m.

Washington's governor requires college employees to be vaccinated

Gov. Jay Inslee said faculty, staff and contractors must be fully vaccinated by Oct. 18. It's one of the most stringent mandates imposed by any state.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • Aug. 19, 2021