State Policy: Page

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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
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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
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    Kentucky State gets OK for program cuts amid state-mandated overhaul

    The state’s higher education authority signed off on the narrowed offerings even as a lawsuit contests the university’s transformation.

    By • June 15, 2026
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    Retrieved from Declan M. Martin.
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    Nebraska law offering in-state tuition to undocumented students struck down

    The federal judge’s ruling marks the fourth time a U.S. Department of Justice lawsuit has ended such policies under the Trump administration.

    By • June 4, 2026
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    The image by Johan Hendrikse is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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    Texas Tech instruction rules spurred widespread course changes

    Nearly half of polled professors said they changed class materials on their own in response to memos limiting teaching about race, sex and gender.

    By • June 3, 2026
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    California Senate passes bill that would create $12B in state research funding

    If enacted, the measure would establish a foundation focused on funding research areas where the federal government has cut.

    By • May 29, 2026
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    The image by Alaska Miller is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
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    Florida budget deal would cut extra funding to top public universities

    Lawmakers also agreed to transfer the University of South Florida Sarasota-Manatee campus to New College of Florida, a conservative favorite.

    By • May 27, 2026
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    How can states encourage students to fill out the FAFSA?

    States are adopting policies that mandate students to fill out the form, but experts say these efforts should come with funding and personnel. 

    By Jamaal Abdul-Alim • May 27, 2026
  • A student walks into a campus building at UT-Austin.
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    Brandon Bell via Getty Images
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    UT System makes it easier to shutter programs, fire faculty

    Under rules passed by the system’s board, university presidents can axe programs without faculty input and cut professors with limited appeal avenues.

    By • May 21, 2026
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    Students, alumni sue to block Kentucky State University overhaul

    Converting the historically Black university into a polytechnic institution violates Kentucky’s desegregation commitments, plaintiffs argued this week.

    By • May 13, 2026
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    DOJ revives fight against Minnesota’s in-state tuition for undocumented students

    The Trump administration is taking its lawsuit against the Democrat-led state to the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

    By • May 5, 2026
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    Deep Dive

    State lawmakers eye accreditation policy changes as new agency forms

    Recent laws and proposals could make it easier for public colleges to leave their accreditors for the nascent Commission for Public Higher Education. 

    By Danielle McLean • April 30, 2026
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    Michigan State, University of Michigan face over 60% cut under state funding bill

    The two universities would each lose over $200 million under a House proposal one college official described as “shortsighted and harmful.”

    By • April 23, 2026
  • Jim Pillen speaks into a microphone.
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    The image by Matt Johnson is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Nebraska joins DOJ effort to end in-state tuition for undocumented students

    The Republican-led state could become the fourth to side with the Trump administration in court to successfully roll back these benefits.

    By • April 22, 2026
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    Courtesy of Eduardo Leal (TGA)/Office of the Texas Governor
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    Texas A&M breaks ground on $226M semiconductor R&D facility

    The project stems from a 2023 Texas law meant to help colleges develop semiconductor programs.

    By Sara Samora • April 20, 2026
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    Kevin Dietsch via Getty Images
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    Kentucky lawmakers override veto on bill easing faculty terminations

    Under the legislation, public colleges will be able to let go of professors for “bona fide financial reasons,” including if programs have low enrollment. 

    By • April 17, 2026
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    The image by John Phelan is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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    Anna Maria College flagged as closure risk by state

    Massachusetts’ higher education department said it can’t confirm the institution “has sufficient resources to be able to sustain operations at current levels.”

    By • April 16, 2026
  • The quad at Texas Tech University
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    raclro via Getty Images
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    Texas Tech System to nix programs focused on sexual orientation and gender identity

    The move is just the latest instance of Texas public higher education leaders moving to curb instruction on topics related to sex and gender. 

    By • April 13, 2026