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AI adoption rises on campus... policies lag behind
New reporting finds a widening gap between frontline AI use and institutional guidance: most university employees report using AI tools, but many are unclear how their institutions want those...
Boards and accreditors brace for federal pressure — Compact and integrity debates
The Association of Governing Boards warned trustees to prepare for sweeping federal policy changes in 2026, including renewed pressure from the administration’s “Compact” and possible future...
Faculty speech cases escalate — settlements, suspensions and court pauses
Clemson University reached a settlement with assistant professor Joshua Bregy after terminating him in September for resharing a post critical of a public figure; the agreement restores pay and...
Disability registrations surge; campuses expand nonclinical mental‑health options
Data reported in national media show disability registrations climbing sharply at selective colleges—Stanford reported 38% of students registered with disability services, Amherst 34%—far above...
Admissions pain points: direct‑admit missteps and shifting essay themes
Hampshire College reported a dramatic shortfall—enrolling 168 freshmen versus a 300‑student target—after rolling out a new direct‑admissions model. The college cited operational learning curves...
U.S. revokes 8,000 student visas — OPT under political threat
The State Department said it has revoked roughly 8,000 student visas since the start of President Trump’s second term as part of a broad enforcement push that has also revoked about 100,000...
Oregon board orders audits, floats mergers — 13‑2 vote
Oregon’s Higher Education Coordinating Commission approved a package of policy recommendations aimed at shoring up the state’s seven public universities, voting 13–2 to push regular...
Texas opens ombudsman portal — public can file complaints against colleges
Texas launched an Office of the Ombudsman website to accept public complaints against the state’s public colleges and universities, implementing a new oversight mechanism created by Senate Bill...
Newsom proposes funding lift — UC enrollment hits a record
California Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed year‑over‑year increases for the state’s public higher education systems, signaling a significant shift from last year’s threatened cuts. The 2026–27 budget...
UCLA Anderson hires Gareth James — Goizueta dean to take helm
UCLA Anderson announced it will hire Gareth James, currently dean of Emory’s Goizueta Business School, as its next dean starting this summer. James, a statistician by training and co‑author of the...
Michigan moves to install Kent Syverud — regents set vote
The University of Michigan’s Board of Regents scheduled a special meeting to vote on Syracuse University Chancellor Kent D. Syverud as the university’s next president. Syverud, who has a law...
Universities settle and pause speech fights — First Amendment cases continue
Clemson University reached a settlement with assistant professor Joshua Bregy, rescinding his termination tied to a personal Facebook resharing about the late commentator Charlie Kirk. Under the...
Researchers face legal limbo — grants, NIH rulings, and the Court of Federal Claims
Legal questions about where disputes over terminated federal research grants belong have intensified after the Supreme Court signaled such cases likely fall to the Court of Federal Claims — a...
AI on campus: staff use tools — institutions haven’t set the rules
A new report finds widespread use of AI tools across university staff but a sharp gap in institutional guidance: many employees say they don’t know how their campuses expect the tools to be used....
Small college yield collapses — Hampshire misses target; SUNY funds paid internships
Hampshire College announced a sharp shortfall in freshman enrollment, admitting 168 students—56% of its 300‑student target—after rolling out a direct‑admissions model that administrators say...
Federal playbook for trustees: White House and agency moves reshape board duties
The Council of Board Professionals warned trustees that federal policy is entering a high‑pressure phase driven by administration initiatives and regulatory experiments. The brief describes the...
OPT faces targeted attack: Congressional letter escalates threat to international talent pipeline
Advocates for right‑wing restrictions pressed the White House this month to eliminate Optional Practical Training, intensifying a policy fight that imperils international students and graduate...
California boosts campuses: Newsom budget lifts UC, Cal State and community colleges
Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed a multi‑hundred‑million dollar funding increase for California’s public higher education systems in his 2026–27 budget plan, reversing prior-year cuts. The University of...
Michigan presidency settled: Syracuse chancellor picked amid leadership turnover
The University of Michigan’s Board of Regents moved to appoint Kent D. Syverud, chancellor of Syracuse University, as UM’s next president, scheduling a formal vote following a special board...
UCLA Anderson names new dean: Emory’s Gareth James to lead West Coast business school
UCLA Anderson announced that Gareth James, current dean of Emory’s Goizueta School of Business, will assume the deanship on July 1. James, a statistician and co‑author of An Introduction to...