Policy & Legal

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    Antisemitic beliefs rare among faculty, Brandeis University study finds

    Despite media attention and Trump’s attacks on universities, most professors neither discuss hot topics in class nor engage in activism around them.

    By • July 24, 2025
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    ‘A dangerous precedent’: Critics slam Columbia’s agreement with Trump administration

    While some stakeholders praised the deal, others warned it could spur federal officials to pursue more attacks on other colleges. 

    By • July 24, 2025
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    The image by Ron Cogswell is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    ‘Inadequate and deeply troubling’: George Mason AAUP votes no confidence in board

    The group blasted the governing body, alleging it failed to defend the university and its president amid successive investigations by the Trump administration.

    By • July 23, 2025
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    Tennessee launches direct admissions pilot with student aid component

    The initiative aims to ease the path to higher education by providing financial aid information along with automatic acceptance to participating colleges.

    By • July 23, 2025
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    The image by Ron Cogswell is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Trump administration opens a fourth probe into George Mason University

    The federal government is ratcheting up pressure on the institution through a flurry of investigations, with the latest focused on its admissions practices. 

    By • July 22, 2025
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    Judge pauses Mississippi’s DEI ban at public colleges and schools

    Accounts from educators and students fearing discussion of certain topics signal “possible widespread suppression of speech,” the judge wrote. 

    By • July 22, 2025
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    Deep Dive

    What does Trump’s executive order on foreign gift reporting mean for colleges?

    Institutions that don’t fully comply with Section 117 could end up in the Trump administration’s crosshairs and miss out on federal grants, experts suggested. 

    By Danielle McLean • July 22, 2025
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    Stanford researcher sues over termination, alleging antisemitism

    A university spokesperson said officials take antisemitism allegations seriously but added a “thorough investigation” found these to be unsubstantiated. 

    By Laurel Kalser • July 21, 2025
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    George Mason University faces federal probe into hiring and promotion practices

    The U.S. Department of Justice’s probe marks the third new federal investigation opened against the public Virginia institution this month.

    By • July 18, 2025
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    Alamy
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    Energy Department delays multiple rules after public pushback

    The proposals, quietly introduced in May, would have gone into effect for colleges and schools this week had critics failed to register their complaints.

    By Naaz Modan • July 18, 2025
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    Spencer Platt via Getty Images
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    Columbia University formally adopts controversial antisemitism definition

    Acting President Claire Shipman said the Office of Institutional Equity will use the definition to help investigate discrimination and harassment.

    By • July 18, 2025
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    The image by Wally Gobetz is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Trump 2.0 brings layoffs and budget cuts at 8 major colleges

    With uncertainty around research funding, international students and financial aid, institutions are shrinking budgets as they try to weather financial turmoil.

    By • July 17, 2025
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    Labor Department to take on day-to-day management of CTE programs

    Career and technical education is among the workforce development programs to be jointly administered with the U.S. Department of Education.

    By Roger Riddell • July 16, 2025
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    How Trump is deploying multiple agencies to set education policy

    ​​Rule changes for U.S. Department of Energy grants to colleges are primed to alter policies. Other federal agencies could be next.

    By Naaz Modan • July 14, 2025
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    Supreme Court green-lights Education Department layoffs

    The decision is a significant victory for the Trump administration as it seeks to close the department to the greatest extent possible.

    By Naaz Modan • Updated July 14, 2025
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    Moody’s: Trump’s tough international student policies could hit some colleges hard

    Visa processing slowdowns and travel bans could mean lost revenue, tighter margins and financial stress.

    By • July 11, 2025
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    House panel pushes colleges to cut ties with Chinese scholarship program

    Seven institutions, including the University of Notre Dame and Dartmouth College, have until July 22 to comply with an extensive document request. 

    By • July 10, 2025
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    George Washington University hints at layoffs amid federal policy upheaval

    The private nonprofit is facing an “unsustainable compounding deficit” and uncertainty about research funding, top officials said in a community message.

    By • July 9, 2025
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    ‘Strong evidence’ Harvard doesn’t meet accreditation standards, feds say

    The Trump administration on Wednesday directed the Ivy League institution's accreditor to review the university’s compliance and report back on the findings.

    By • July 9, 2025
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    Will the next Supreme Court term close the transgender athletic debate?

    A pair of cases could establish precedent on whether transgender student athletes can compete on teams aligned with their gender identity.

    By Naaz Modan • July 9, 2025
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    Florida university system’s board to vote on creation of accrediting agency

    The Commission for Public Higher Education’s business plan reveals officials are aiming for the new agency to accredit colleges by June 2026.

    By • July 9, 2025
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    The image by Wally Gobetz is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Boston University to lay off 120 staffers amid budget challenges

    The private institution faces federal funding uncertainty along with operational headaches such as rising costs.

    By • July 8, 2025
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    Kayla Bartkowski / Staff via Getty Images
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    ‘One big mistake’: Higher ed sounds warning over GOP budget law

    From higher endowment taxes to student loan limits, colleges and students will face a dramatically new landscape with the passage of a new spending law.

    By • July 7, 2025
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    Trump’s OCR steps up pace for dismissing complaints

    With newly limited staffing, the federal office charged with protecting students’ civil rights has increased its case dismissals — to the alarm of former employees.

    By Naaz Modan • July 7, 2025
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    15 Florida colleges keep access to grant funding after House bid fails

    A proposal from the Florida House would have restricted private colleges' eligibility for the popular Effective Access to Student Education program.

    By • July 7, 2025