New England accreditor proposal could hurt adjuncts

Proposed guidelines do not address "reasonable contractual security" — a sticking point for adjuncts who say course-by-course contracts negatively impact teaching.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 16, 2015

Wisconsin regents pass resolution on free speech and academic freedom

The UW system board approved a resolution Friday saying its universities should not shield individuals from ideas or opinions they find disagreeable or offensive.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 14, 2015

Transfer could be key to college completion goals

The Aspen Institute, the Columbia University’s Teachers College and Public Agenda have joined forces on a campaign to focus on transfer, emphasizing the role of four-year schools.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 14, 2015

Tennessee Promise program sets sights on completion

With enrollment high, state leaders are shifting the focus to retention and completion for the more than 16,000 students who started two-year programs this fall.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 11, 2015

Spellings facing protests before even starting at UNC

The former education secretary will become the system’s new president in March, but students and faculty are already protesting her appointment.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 11, 2015

California accreditor facing federal sanctions

Ahead of an advisory committee's ruling, the U.S. Department of Education recommended denying the ACCJC’s request to accredit community college bachelor’s programs.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 11, 2015

Is affirmative action imperiled following Supreme Court arguments?

Justices heard extended arguments in Abigail Fisher’s case against the University of Texas’ race-conscious admissions plan Wednesday, with a majority appearing skeptical.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 10, 2015

Interviews of trustees, presidents find tensions high, roles changing

Public Agenda conducted in-depth interviews with trustees and presidents who oversee 143 public, non-research universities.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 10, 2015

Alumni, donors hold sway in administrators' protest responses

Some schools are finding themselves caught between what groups of current students are demanding and what alumni and donors think is best for campus.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 10, 2015

Private firm to investigate Niagara U dean’s alleged mishandling of rape case

The university’s dean of students is on administrative leave during an investigation into how she handled allegations of rape by a member of the men’s basketball team.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 9, 2015

Rubio continues to champion for-profit higher ed

Despite many for-profit's track records of having students disproportionately represented in loan default numbers, presidential candidate Marco Rubio pushes for expansion.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 9, 2015

Missouri legislators target Mizzou's high number of teaching waivers

Half of faculty members don’t teach the system’s minimum load of two courses per semester, and lawmakers are threatening state funding over the finding.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 9, 2015

Consequences of Salaita reverberate throughout higher ed hiring

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s last-minute revocation of its job offer to Steven G. Salaita has faculty across academia more cautious about moves.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 8, 2015

Maryland desegregation suit has future of state HBCUs in question

A federal judge has already ruled that the state perpetuated segregation by duplicating programs at predominantly white institutions.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 7, 2015

Bootcamps, ESSA, and personalization: The week’s most-read education news

Fall behind? Catch up on the House vote to approve the Every Student Succeeds Act and more right here!

By Roger Riddell • Dec. 4, 2015

New Louisiana governor may undo higher ed funding cuts

John Bel Edwards says the cuts made under the Jindal administration were major factors in his decision to run and that he hopes to reverse the damage.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 4, 2015

'Equity Matters' report analyzes disability access in online ed

The report, from the Center on Online Learning and Students with Disabilities, offers a 50-state look at policy, examining the access and offering recommendations.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 4, 2015

AAC&U leader calls for consensus on defining 'quality learning'

In an open statement, Carol Geary Schneider called on members and their accrediting bodies to get ahead of politicians so monetary ROI isn’t the only outcomes focus.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 4, 2015

Wyoming home to nation's cheapest bachelor's degrees

A report from the Urban Institute examining public college pricing, per-student funding, and enrollment finds Wyoming has the lowest in-state tuition for four-year degrees.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 3, 2015

Oregon Promise requirements leave students questioning eligibility

The program is designed to open access by giving students a tuition-free start at a community college, but the GPA cutoff is 2.5 and the application process is extensive.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 3, 2015

Student protests could impact Supreme Court affirmative action ruling

Justices are scheduled to hear a UT-Austin case Dec. 9, and legal experts expect the flood of protests to impact how they consider arguments about race in admissions.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 3, 2015

What should institutions consider for competency-based success?

Colleges should start by thinking about what programs best fit the model before thinking about anything else.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 2, 2015

Georgia State absorption of community college could be ideal outcome

The plan for Georgia Perimeter would to keep tuition low and create an easier transfer process for students who want to go to Georgia State.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 2, 2015

Lawmakers scrutinize public university governing boards over transparency

Boards in several states are increasingly under fire as more people get involved in debates about college affordability and presidential pay.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 2, 2015

Report criticizes California public universities' increasing selectivity

A report from the Campaign for College Opportunity says the state's failure to adequately invest in its public education system is limiting access for qualified students.

By Tara García Mathewson • Dec. 1, 2015