Policy & Legal

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

Russia targets Bard College amid international tensions

The prosecutor's office labeled the U.S. institution, which co-founded a liberal arts college in St. Petersburg nearly 25 years ago, as undesirable.

By Rick Seltzer • June 22, 2021

Supreme Court rules against NCAA, affirming educational benefits for student-athletes

The decision comes amid other challenges to the collegiate sports model, including laws that will let players be compensated for use of their personas.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • June 21, 2021

Higher ed groups oppose bills that limit teaching 'divisive concepts'

Legislation in more than 20 states that would restrict instruction about racism seeks to "suppress teaching and learning," a joint statement says.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • June 18, 2021

Are tuition-share agreements between colleges and OPMs on solid legal footing?

Some lawmakers and advocacy groups on the political left have these contracts for marketing and recruitment in their crosshairs.

By Natalie Schwartz • June 18, 2021

Governor bars Arizona public colleges from mandating COVID-19 vaccines

The order is the latest example of Republican policymakers restricting colleges' coronavirus safety policies ahead of the fall semester.

By Rick Seltzer • June 16, 2021

Ed Dept: Title IX covers gender identity and sexual orientation

The decision follows an executive order that federal agencies bring their rules and policies in line with a 2020 Supreme Court ruling.

By Hallie Busta • June 16, 2021

Arizona State violated the Clery Act, Ed Dept says

The college infringed on the law in part by requiring a student to sign a nondisclosure agreement to get the findings of her case in writing.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • June 16, 2021

New Jersey considers expanding free college to 4-year schools

The program would cover two years of tuition for students from families earning less than $65,000.

By Natalie Schwartz • June 15, 2021

AAUP council sanctions 6 colleges over governance violations

The faculty organization added the schools to a list meant to warn instructors and the public of "unsatisfactory conditions of academic government."

By Natalie Schwartz • June 10, 2021

A patchwork of state name, image and likeness laws is causing confusion

The NCAA, which is expected to vote on its own policy this month, is among those calling for a federal standard.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • June 09, 2021

New Florida law beefs up colleges' foreign gift reporting requirements

Republican legislators in particular have raised concerns about foreign influence on institutions.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • June 08, 2021

4-year colleges push back on wide-ranging higher ed proposal in Ohio

The bill would make it easier for two-year schools to launch bachelor's degrees and require faculty to be cautious about sharing personal views.

By Natalie Schwartz • June 04, 2021

New York bills would let test providers sell student data to colleges there

The College Board and ACT have come under fire for this practice, which critics say violates student privacy.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • UPDATED: June 5, 2021 at 11:08 a.m.

Ed Dept strips embattled accreditor ACICS of federal status — again

The decision is in line with recommendations from department staff and its accreditation advisory group.

By Hallie Busta • UPDATED: June 2, 2021 at 6 p.m.

Louisiana lawmakers pitch 2 bills to improve sexual assault reporting at public colleges

The proposed legislation comes after a media investigation revealed widespread problems in the way state schools addressed sexual abuse cases.

By Natalie Schwartz • June 02, 2021

Nevada lawmakers pass bill to audit public system's finances

The measure comes as the state seeks more oversight of the Nevada System of Higher Education.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • June 02, 2021

Senate drops short-term Pell proposal from Innovation and Competition Act

The measure would have let students use the grants for programs as short as eight weeks.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • UPDATED: June 9, 2021 at 5 p.m.

EEOC greenlights coronavirus vaccine requirements, incentives — with some limits

The long-awaited document may answer some questions employers have had regarding the vaccine, but other areas may be less certain.

By Ryan Golden • June 01, 2021

Deep Dive

A chancellor search in Georgia highlights the problems of 'partisan capture'

The state's Republican leaders have a strong hand in the public system's workings — a dynamic observers argue it must break free of.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • June 01, 2021

Federal student privacy law does not conflict with Title IX: analysis

A Congressional Research Service report breaks down the legal interactions between FERPA and the statute banning sexual misconduct on campuses.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • May 27, 2021

College leaders used the pandemic to flout shared governance, AAUP says

The faculty organization ended an investigation into eight colleges, though it says its conclusions apply broadly to the sector.

By Natalie Schwartz • May 26, 2021

Rhode Island one step closer to permanent free college

The Rhode Island Promise guarantees up to two years of free tuition for some community college students.

By Jeremy Bauer-Wolf • May 26, 2021

State support for higher ed ticked up 2.9% in fiscal 2020, report finds

Despite another annual increase, colleges had historically low levels of state funding heading into the pandemic.

By Natalie Schwartz • May 26, 2021