Policy & Legal: Page 7

  • A protester outside the gates of Columbia University holds a sign saying, in all capital letters, "Columbia - divest or you're next."
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    What are colleges’ legal options when threatened with federal funding cuts?

    Higher education experts said colleges could work together or lean on their associations if they take up a legal fight against the Trump administration. 

    By Lilah Burke • April 14, 2025
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    Bills in Congress detail path to closing the Education Department

    More attention in Congress is being directed toward the federal agency’s future as President Donald Trump calls for its closure.

    By Kara Arundel • April 14, 2025
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    Retrieved from The Officer of the Governor of California.
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    California to launch ‘career passports’ to encourage job access

    The program, part of a broader initiative from Gov. Gavin Newsom, seeks to reduce employer reliance on four-year college degrees when hiring.

    By Kathryn Moody • April 9, 2025
  • Austin, Texas State Capitol
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    Tamir Kalifa/Stringer via Getty Images
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    LGBTQ+ students in Texas weigh leaving their colleges following DEI ban, researchers finds

    While some students have started the process to transfer to colleges outside of the state, others are mulling leaving once they graduate, the report said.

    By • April 9, 2025
  • Linda McMahon arrives to the U.S. Department of Education's building in Washington, D.C., for her first day in office.
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    US Department of Education. (2025). "03042025 SLM First day in the Office-3" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
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    ASU+GSV 2025

    ‘Let’s shake it up’: Linda McMahon defends massive cuts at Education Department

    The U.S. secretary of education spoke at the ASU+GSV Summit in California about the rapid changes the Trump administration is making to the agency.

    By • April 8, 2025
  • Hands holding a blue-paper sign reading "Hands off our healthcare research"
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    Scott Olson/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Judge permanently blocks NIH’s plan to cap funding, setting up appeals battle

    Universities are waiting cautiously as the agency's unilateral plan to cut billions of research support dollars has already created widespread disruption.

    By • April 7, 2025
  • The Florida state capitol building, a white building with Roman columns.
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    DenisTangneyJr via Getty Images
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    Florida House proposal could cut college grants for 22,000 students

    Under the chamber’s proposed FY26 budget, 15 private colleges would lose eligibility for a popular grant program, one association said.

    By • April 7, 2025
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    Avosb via Getty Images
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    Supreme Court maintains freeze on teacher training grants

    The case in question involves the agency’s February announcement to cancel $600 million in “divisive” teacher preparation grants. 

    By Anna Merod • April 6, 2025
  • A person is seated as a desk. They are waving their left hand. A name plate sits in front of them and people are seated in row in the background.
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    Win McNamee via Getty Images
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    ‘New sheriff in town’: DOJ to enforce anti-trans Trump orders

    A joint Title IX Special Investigations Team will shift some civil rights investigations and enforcement from the Education Department to the Justice Department.

    By Naaz Modan • April 4, 2025
  • Glass polygon building with students sitting and walking in front.
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    The image by belisario is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
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    UC San Diego preps budget for up to a $500M hit from federal cuts

    Citing “unprecedented conditions,” the university’s chancellor said it was freezing hiring and delaying capital projects.

    By • April 4, 2025
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    Scott Eisen / Stringer via Getty Images
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    Harvard University faces funding ultimatum from Trump administration

    The move echoes an ultimately successful gambit several federal agencies pulled against Columbia University last month.

    By • April 4, 2025
  • A large metal bell sits in the courtyard in front of the U.S. Department of Education building.
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    Kara Arundel/Higher Ed Dive
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    Education Department plans to propose regulatory changes to student aid programs

    The agency said it is seeking public feedback, including for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and two income-driven repayment plans.

    By • April 4, 2025
  • An entrance to a National Institutes of Health building is lit by the sun on a clear day.
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    Grandbrothers via Getty Images
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    Researchers sue NIH over mass cuts to DEI grants

    Plaintiffs argue that agency leaders “upended NIH’s enviable track record of rigor and excellence, launching a reckless and illegal purge.”

    By • April 3, 2025
  • Street shot of New York University building in Manhattan
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    CribbVisuals via Getty Images
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    Scholar warns of chilling speech in higher ed after NYU canceled her presentation

    A prominent physician said university administrators nixed the event over concerns some material might be considered antisemitic and anti-government.

    By • April 2, 2025
  • A student walks below a large archway at Princeton University's campus.
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    Steve Rosenbach via Getty Images
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    Trump administration suspends dozens of Princeton University’s research grants

    The Ivy League institution’s leader said it wasn’t fully clear why the funds were paused but reaffirmed the university's commitment to combating antisemitism.

    By • April 1, 2025
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    Joe Hendrickson via Getty Images
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    Northwestern University touts decline in antisemitic harassment amid lawmaker scrutiny

    The high-profile institution highlighted its efforts shortly after the Trump administration said it opened a probe over antisemitism concerns.

    By • April 1, 2025
  • Senators Tim Scott and Elizabeth Warren converse during a Senate Banking Committee hearing.
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    Kayla Bartkowski / Staff via Getty Images
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    Democratic senators call for probe of Trump Education Department cuts

    Eleven lawmakers say efforts to shutter the agency and transfer its responsibilities will “interrupt and degrade” essential programs and services.

    By Naaz Modan • April 1, 2025
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    Retrieved from Ohio Senate Republicans.
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    Ohio and Kentucky enact laws banning DEI at public colleges

    Conservative lawmakers in both states successfully pushed through the bills after failed attempts in previous years.

    By • March 31, 2025
  • A view of the gate at Harvard University.
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    Maddie Meyer via Getty Images
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    Harvard University faces $9B federal funding review

    The investigation into the Ivy League institution is the largest yet by the Trump administration’s Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism.

    By • March 31, 2025
  • Protesters fill the university lawn at Columbia.
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    Alex Kent via Getty Images
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    Columbia interim president is out after less than 8 months

    Taking over for Katrina Armstrong is board of trustees co-chair Claire Shipman after the university was targeted by the Trump administration.

    By • March 31, 2025
  • An employee leaves the U.S. Department of Education building with their belongings in tow.
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    Win McNamee / Staff via Getty Images
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    What do the massive Education Department layoffs look like? See for yourself.

    In eight visuals, we examine what the Trump administration's moves could signal for education's near future.

    By Naaz Modan , • March 28, 2025
  • A sign on the campus of the University of New Orleans with the institution's name.
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    "University of New Orleans Gate Plaque" by Result02 is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    University of New Orleans should rejoin LSU system, state board says

    The public institution has been deteriorating financially since Hurricane Katrina hit the city two decades ago.

    By • March 28, 2025
  • Students walk across the University of Michigan campus
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    Bill Pugliano via Getty Images
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    University of Michigan scraps multimillion dollar DEI investment

    The move shuttered the public flagship’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and Office for Health Equity and Inclusion, effective immediately.

    By • March 28, 2025
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    Andrew Harnik / Staff via Getty Images
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    House passes bill to lower foreign reporting threshold to $50K

    The legislation, known as the Deterrent Act, would also require colleges to report all foreign gifts and contracts with “countries of concern,” such as China.

    By • March 27, 2025
  • The outside entrance of the U.S. Department of Education in Washington, D>C>
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    Greggory DiSalvo via Getty Images
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    Education Department reopens IDR student loan plan applications

    The American Federation of Teachers sued the agency this month for blocking access to the congressionally mandated repayment options.

    By • March 27, 2025