New Mexico Highlands University’s board of regents escalated its leadership disruption after President Neil Woolf was placed on paid administrative leave, with Provost Daniel Brown and men’s basketball coach Zach Settembre also moved to paid leave and three additional top officials dismissed, according to local reporting. The board has not provided reasons, leaving students and employees navigating uncertainty and mounting stress. At Cornell, the institution is investigating an incident involving the president and protesters, with the matter creating new attention on campus climate and protest dynamics. Together, the two developments highlight how quickly governance and leadership controversies can disrupt university operations, communications, and trust.