Policy & Legal
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Photo Illustration: Shaun Lucas/Industry Dive; Ryan Golden/HR Dive
EEOC moves to axe EEO-1 reporting
The agency wants to scrap a variety of employer reporting requirements, according to a plan sent to the White House on Thursday.
By Caroline Colvin • May 15, 2026 -
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FAFSA completion rate for class of 2026 highest on record
After the rocky rollout of a new form a little over two years ago, the simplified version is bearing fruit, according to the National College Attainment Network.
By Ben Unglesbee • May 15, 2026 -
Explore the Trendline➔
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TrendlineCampus Facilities
Physical security measures, renovation backlogs, sustainability and financing all come into play when the spotlight turns to college and university campuses.
By Higher Ed Dive staff -
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DOJ alleges Yale’s medical school discriminates against applicants
The U.S. Department of Justice accused the Ivy League institution of unlawfully giving Black and Hispanic students an advantage in admissions.
By Natalie Schwartz • May 14, 2026 -
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McMahon grilled over professional degree definition, OCR caseload
House Republicans and Democrats alike questioned new regulations that exclude graduate nursing program students from higher loan caps.
By Natalie Schwartz • May 14, 2026 -
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OCR resolved only 1% of cases in 2025, report shows
The findings from Sen. Bernie Sanders' office show only 112 resolution agreements were reached and none addressed antisemitism or Islamophobia.
By Naaz Modan • May 14, 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 Ben Unglesbee • May 13, 2026 -
The image by User:Mattysc, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
Bowie State University plans to cut nearly 80 jobs
The public Maryland institution is grappling with reduced state funding, a drop in enrollment and rising costs.
By Ben Unglesbee • May 8, 2026 -
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UCLA medical school faces federal civil rights accusation
The Trump administration on Wednesday alleged that the highly selective school illegally gives preference to Black and Hispanic applicants.
By Laura Spitalniak • May 7, 2026 -
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National Education Association faces EEOC antisemitism complaint
The Brandeis Center alleged that the educators union promoted "a hostile environment” for Jewish members by allowing pro-Palestinian activity.
By Naaz Modan • May 7, 2026 -
The image by MonsieurNapoléon is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Smith College faces Title IX probe over policy of admitting trans students
The U.S. Department of Education is taking aim at the decade-old policy at the women’s college following a civil rights complaint from a conservative group.
By Laura Spitalniak • May 5, 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 Laura Spitalniak • May 5, 2026 -
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Deep DiveWhy GSA’s anti-DEI certification is raising alarm in higher education
Colleges that don’t sign the General Services Administration’s proposed certification could face severe penalties, including losing their federal funding.
By David Weisenfeld • May 4, 2026 -
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Education Department finalizes rule tightening federal student lending
The agency kept a contested definition of “professional” student that excludes fields like graduate nursing and physical therapy from higher loan caps.
By Ben Unglesbee • April 30, 2026 -
Kate Tornone/Higher Ed Dive
ABA settles claim alleging diversity scholarship fund harmed White students
The American Bar Association said the agreement preserves its “unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive and trusted justice system.”
By Ryan Golden • April 30, 2026 -
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Deep DiveState 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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Stanford faces Education Department probe over racial discrimination allegations
The investigation centers on a program that aimed to professionally and financially support K-12 teachers seeking certification.
By Natalie Schwartz • April 29, 2026 -
Retrieved from Senate Appropriations Committee on April 28, 2026
3 insights from McMahon’s testimony on the Education Department’s budget proposal
Lawmakers grilled U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon on the agency’s dismantling, its handling of civil rights cases and the future of TRIO.
By Natalie Schwartz • April 28, 2026 -
The image by Bestbudbrian is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0
Penn wins temporary court block on turning over Jewish employee data to EEOC
U.S. District Judge Gerald Pappert previously gave the university until Friday to turn over swathes of contact information and anonymous survey responses.
By Ben Unglesbee • April 28, 2026 -
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Court blocks Education Department’s data demands for over 170 more colleges
The ruling expands an earlier pause on the agency’s collection of extensive race and sex admissions data for public colleges in 17 states.
By Natalie Schwartz • April 27, 2026 -
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Week in review: Michigan State, University of Michigan face proposed huge cuts
We’re rounding up recent stories, from University of Arizona being let off the hook for discharged student loans to several colleges landing major gifts.
By Natalie Schwartz • April 27, 2026 -
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Iowa regents approve 10 program cuts at 2 universities
The board greenlit plans to end undergraduate and graduate degrees at the University of Iowa and University of Northern Iowa after a mandated review.
By Ben Unglesbee • April 23, 2026 -
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Missouri State faces lawsuit over bias response policy
The public university said that it disbanded a contested Bias Response Team last month, a decision that "predates any litigation.”
By Laura Spitalniak • April 23, 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 Ben Unglesbee • April 23, 2026 -
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 Natalie Schwartz • April 22, 2026 -
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Higher education groups challenge Trump’s latest anti-DEI order
A coalition of organizations is suing over a directive that threatens to strip federal contracts from colleges over their diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
By Natalie Schwartz • April 22, 2026
