Policy & Legal
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Education Department launches probes into over 50 colleges after anti-DEI guidance
The new investigations are part of the agency’s aggressive tactics to carry out President Donald Trump’s higher education policy priorities.
By Natalie Schwartz • March 14, 2025 -
Columbia University faces ultimatum from Trump administration to keep federal funding
Federal officials told the Ivy League institution to remake its disciplinary process and suspend or expel some pro-Palestinian protesters by March 20.
By Laura Spitalniak • March 14, 2025 -
Explore the Trendline➔
MF3d via Getty ImagesTrendlineArtificial Intelligence
As AI continues its forward march in education and the workplace, colleges are grapplling with how best to incorporate the emerging technology into admissions, courrsework and elsewhere
By Higher Ed Dive staff -
Johns Hopkins to lay off 2,200 workers as it reels from Trump’s USAID cuts
The university said previously it faced an $800 million funding shortfall from the hollowed-out aid agency and would have to wind down programs.
By Ben Unglesbee • March 14, 2025 -
Trump administration silent on Muslim students’ civil rights
While this Education Department has taken strong action on antisemitism, its directives to date have not mentioned Islamophobia.
By Naaz Modan • Updated March 14, 2025 -
USDA restores funding to University of Maine System
In an about-face, the agency resumed payments after Sen. Susan Collins spoke with Trump administration officials.
By Ben Unglesbee • March 13, 2025 -
Retrieved from Kentucky Public Information Office.
Kentucky lawmakers vote to ban DEI spending at public colleges
Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear is unlikely to sign the bill, but Republican lawmakers hold a veto-proof supermajority in the Legislature.
By Laura Spitalniak • March 13, 2025 -
Half of OCR eliminated after Trump Education Department layoffs
The shuttering of seven civil rights enforcement offices means thousands of cases impacting colleges in half the nation are up in the air.
By Naaz Modan • March 13, 2025 -
‘Reckless, foolish and vicious’: Education Department cuts slammed by critics
Democratic lawmakers and higher ed groups voiced concerns that the firings would leave the agency without enough people to carry out key functions.
By Natalie Schwartz • March 12, 2025 -
USDA pauses funding to University of Maine System
The funding freeze follows a spat between President Donald Trump and Gov. Janet Mills over his order restricting transgender students from women’s sports.
By Ben Unglesbee • March 12, 2025 -
Opinion
How college presidents are quietly resisting federal attacks on higher education
Many leaders of institutions favor behind-the-scenes resistance over protests and op-eds, the Council of Independent Colleges’ president writes.
By Marjorie Hass • March 12, 2025 -
Education Department announces massive layoffs, slashing nearly half its workforce
The agency’s employee count will plummet from 4,133 when President Donald Trump was inaugurated to about 2,183.
By Naaz Modan • Updated March 11, 2025 -
Harvard among latest universities to freeze hiring amid federal funding uncertainty
The Ivy League institution’s officials emphasized that the move was temporary and meant to “preserve our financial flexibility.”
By Ben Unglesbee • March 11, 2025 -
Education Department warns 60 colleges it could take action over antisemitism concerns
The letters escalate the Trump administration’s scrutiny of how colleges are handling student protests over the Israel-Hamas war.
By Natalie Schwartz • March 10, 2025 -
Trump’s Education Department changes could lead to systemic ‘chaos’
Cuts to contracts, staff and civil rights probes might backfire, leading to less oversight and more mismanagement, education experts warn.
By Naaz Modan • March 10, 2025 -
ABA faces DOJ wrath over law school diversity requirements
"Any requirement that law schools demonstrate 'a commitment to diversity' is deeply problematic," said Attorney General Pam Bondi.
By Laura Spitalniak • March 10, 2025 -
DOL files fresh appeal of a Texas decision vacating its new overtime rule
It’s now the second such filing by the agency with the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
By Ryan Golden • March 7, 2025 -
Trump administration cancels $400M of Columbia’s grants and contracts amid antisemitism probe
The cancellation comes only four days after the probe into the Ivy League institution was announced.
By Natalie Schwartz • Updated March 7, 2025 -
‘Stay of execution’: Where’s Trump’s order to shut down Education Department?
While an executive order didn't come down as expected Thursday, the education community is bracing for more cuts to key department resources.
By Naaz Modan • March 6, 2025 -
‘Perplexing and distressing’: Johns Hopkins warns of budget cuts amid Trump-era funding chaos
The institution is grappling with the “unexpected stoppage” of $800 million in funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development.
By Ben Unglesbee • March 5, 2025 -
NEA, ACLU challenge Education Department’s DEI letter
Despite the department's attempt to clarify the original directive, education and civil rights organizations are pushing forward with their lawsuits.
By Naaz Modan • March 5, 2025 -
Education Department sued over cuts to teacher training grants
Three teacher preparation groups allege that the agency’s recent termination of three federal grant programs approved by Congress is unlawful.
By Anna Merod • March 4, 2025 -
Trump administration launches review of Columbia University’s grants and contracts
The Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism is probing the institution’s funding over allegations it hasn’t protected Jewish students from harassment.
By Natalie Schwartz • March 4, 2025 -
McMahon confirmed as education secretary
Linda McMahon says she will end federal bureaucracy at the U.S. Department of Education but did not commit to closing the agency.
By Kara Arundel • March 3, 2025 -
Education Department Q&A clarifies DEI restrictions
The agency's new document appeared to ease some of the strictest aspects of its February letter taking aim at colleges' diversity initiatives.
By Laura Spitalniak • March 3, 2025 -
Arizona bill to cut off state funding over college DEI courses gains traction
If signed into law, faculty at the state's public colleges would not be able to teach about subjects like antiracism and unconscious bias.
By Laura Spitalniak • Feb. 28, 2025