State Policy

  • Two students study at separate desks inside a UT-Austin library.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    UT Austin plans massive overhaul to core curriculum

    A task force called for making the university's general education more narrow and focused on topics such as Western civilization and broad U.S. history.

    By • Aug. 14, 2026
  • The campus of University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
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    University of Nebraska board approves cutting programs with low enrollment

    The eliminations come after a bruising budget-saving push to eliminate degrees last year at the system’s Lincoln campus.

    By • Aug. 14, 2026
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    RoosterHD via Getty Images
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    The Heritage Foundation releases sweeping model bill to overhaul higher ed

    The conservative think tank framed the proposal as a way for state lawmakers to “codify the principles” of the Trump administration’s higher ed compact.

    By • Aug. 7, 2026
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    AAUP sues Texas A&M System over teaching limits on race and gender

    The American Association of University Professors and four faculty members allege that those restrictions violate free speech rights. 

    By • Aug. 4, 2026
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    $23M awarded to Massachusetts colleges, state facilities for clean energy projects

    The state grants will cover up to 45% of the cost for large-scale projects, such as implementing energy efficiency measures.

    By Joe Burns • July 31, 2026
  • Modern office building behind "Lone Star College" sign, with flower in foreground and flowers in background.
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    The image by Jess P. Jordan is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    Texas community college funding model faces ‘growing pains’

    Although leaders praised the performance-based formula, they asked lawmakers to provide sufficient money for it.

    By • July 30, 2026
  • A student sits on the lawn of the University of Texas at Austin's campus with buildings in the background.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Texas public colleges can consider CLT in admissions, state official says

    Institutions can immediately consider Classic Learning Test scores for certain applicants as the state higher education board looks to revise its policies. 

    By • July 28, 2026
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    Courtesy of Ian Couch courtesy of the Washington State Office of the Governor
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    Washington governor eyes FAFSA requirement for high school students

    Since taking office last year, Democratic Gov. Bob Ferguson has prioritized increasing the state’s completion rate of the federal aid form.

    By • July 15, 2026
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    Penn State, Temple and Pitt get boost from new performance-based funding

    A new $10 million pool of performance-based funds adds money to long-stagnant appropriations but falls short of higher education leaders’ hopes.

    By • July 15, 2026
  • The campus of University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
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    University of Nebraska System braces for unexpected $36M state funding cut

    “There are limits to what can be achieved through continued reductions,” the system’s president said as ever-deepening austerity measures loom.

    By • July 13, 2026
  • The U.S. Supreme Court seen from the outside
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    Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
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    What does the Supreme Court’s transgender athlete ruling mean for higher ed?

    The landmark decision has big implications for transgender students — and the Title IX and litigation landscape for colleges.

    By David Weisenfeld • July 13, 2026
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    The image by Johan Hendrikse is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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    AAUP sues over Texas Tech classroom instruction limits

    The national faculty group, alongside a local affiliate, asked a judge to block the directives and rule them unconstitutional.

    By • July 8, 2026
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    Florida loses appeal over college accreditation

    A panel of three federal judges rejected Florida’s argument that the system unconstitutionally delegates “unchecked authority” to private agencies.

    By • July 7, 2026
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    Permission granted by Will Simpson Photography
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    Florida’s Stop WOKE act struck down for colleges on appeal

    Tuesday’s ruling called the state’s attempt to limit classroom discussion "a breathtaking assertion of power to ban unpopular ideas from public discourse."

    By • July 7, 2026
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    Florida state board bans undocumented students from college system

    One analysis estimates that the policy could cost the 28-institution system $15 million a year in lost tuition and fee revenue. 

    By • July 2, 2026
  • Stuart Bell stands at a microphone.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    Stuart Bell confirmed as University of Florida president after chaotic approval process

    The former University of Alabama leader faced a delayed system-level vote and right-wing pushback over his past support for diversity efforts.

    By • July 1, 2026
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    Virginia and Ohio join effort to design 3-year bachelor’s degrees

    While some say such degrees could increase college affordability, two groups blasted them as “stripped-down curriculum that prioritizes speed.”

    By • June 29, 2026
  • The North Carolina capitol building
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    The image by Farragutful is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    North Carolina Republicans ban DEI at public colleges

    The new law took effect immediately and came after legislators overrode a veto from Democratic Gov. Josh Stein.

    By • June 29, 2026
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    Ohio bill would broaden power of university civics center directors

    The politically created academic centers have drawn fierce criticism from faculty, who say they expand state intrusion into higher education.

    By • June 26, 2026
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    Retrieved from Florida State Legislature on June 25, 2026
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    Undocumented students could be barred from Florida public universities

    The state’s public university system board on Thursday advanced the proposal, which has garnered support from Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis.

    By • June 25, 2026
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    Steve Pope / Stringer via Getty Images
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    Kansas joins DOJ in effort to end in-state tuition for undocumented students

    The proposed agreement came hours after the U.S. Department of Justice sued the state over its decades-old law.

    By • June 24, 2026
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    Laura Spitalniak/Higher Ed Dive
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    University of Florida board appoints Stuart Bell as interim leader

    The unanimous decision came late Monday after the chair of the state university system board delayed a vote that could install Bell permanently.

    By • June 22, 2026
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    4nadia via Getty Images
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    Kansas board adopts definitions for ban of DEI-CRT in required courses

    The state higher ed board’s policy protects broadly teaching about racism and civil rights history under a new state law restricting college instruction. 

    By • June 18, 2026
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    The image by Finetooth is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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    Southern Oregon University plan would cut 3 majors, roughly 66 jobs

    The new proposal comes after the public institution carried out two recent rounds of workforce cuts and declared financial exigency last year.

    By • June 18, 2026
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    Iowa state board to review university gen eds for ‘substantial DEI’ and CRT

    The new policy follows an attempt by lawmakers to ban all diversity- and race-related content from general education at the state’s public universities.

    By • Updated June 26, 2026