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Texas Tech System Halts Gender-Identity and Sexual-Orientation Programs
9 hours ago•Source: The Texas Tribune
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LA Schools Brace for a 70,000-strong Strike That Could Halt Classes for 520,000 Students
LAUSD faces a coordinated strike by UTLA, SEIU Local 99, and AALA with about 70,000 employees set to walk out, potentially shutting down classes for around 520,000 students. The unions demand roughly a 17% pay raise over two years and staffing improvements, while the district emphasizes its offers and financial constraints; an April 14 deadline looms as talks continue, with contingency plans like food distribution, take-home instruction, and childcare in place if the strike proceeds.
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Virginia Tech President Announces Transition as Campus Momentum Grows
Virginia Tech News•1 day ago
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Weak contract blamed for UW president's firing, signaling tougher next hire
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel•2 days ago
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Texas Colleges Under State-Driven Curriculum Scrutiny
Public universities across Texas are reviewing course materials under a new law giving regents more control over teaching, prompting protests at Texas Tech and Texas A&M over censorship of works by gay authors and discussions of race and gender; other campuses like the University of Houston and UT systems are restructuring or reviewing DEI-related programs, fueling a debate over academic freedom, educational quality, and potential impacts on student learning and university recruitment.
UW System president says he was blindsided by ouster in AP interview
Jay Rothman, the fired president of the University of Wisconsin System, told the Associated Press he was blindsided by his ouster in an interview in Madison on April 8, 2026.
Many Popular Grad Degrees Don’t Pay Off Financially, Study Finds
A Washington Post report drawing on American University research finds that some widely pursued graduate degrees—especially in social work and psychology—may yield zero to negative financial returns, while degrees in medicine, law and pharmacy tend to offer higher financial payoff; the study calls for better information on program costs and benefits and notes outcomes can vary by gender and undergraduate background.
Lexington Schools Brace for Staffing Cuts Amid Budget Crunch
Lexington Public Schools are cutting about 65 teachers, classroom aides, and other staffers, and issuing non-renewal letters to roughly 160 early-career educators amid a budget crisis.
Texas State Philosophy Professor Fired Over Off-Campus Israel-Palestine Talk Sparks Lawsuit
Texas State University philosophy professor Idris Robinson, a tenure-track faculty member, is suing university officials after they informed him his contract would be terminated following complaints about an off-campus talk on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The talk, held in Asheville, NC in 2024 and not linked to the university, led to online harassment and administrative actions; Robinson alleges his First and Fourteenth Amendment rights were violated and seeks a temporary restraining order, underscoring tensions around academic freedom and off-campus speech.
Mamdani flags first NYC DOE cuts as prelude to broader savings
Mayor Mamdani’s order to trim spending prompts an initial round of NYC Education Department cuts—about $27.5 million this year and $30.3 million next—as officials work toward the 1.5% and 2.5% savings targets; the full plan hasn’t been released, but the department is expected to cut hundreds of millions by pruning duplicative tech contracts, unused consulting, and administrative services, while citywide cuts total around $230 million and the broader effort targets up to $1.7 billion in reductions across agencies.
Texas professor fights termination over private pro-Palestinian talk
An assistant professor at Texas State University filed a federal lawsuit alleging his First Amendment rights were violated after being placed on administrative leave and facing non-renewal tied to a private 2024 pro-Palestinian talk; he seeks an injunction to prevent termination and to keep his job through May 31, 2026.
Texas State Professor Sues Over Termination Tied to Palestine Talk
Philosophy professor Idris Robinson is suing Texas State University, alleging his First and Fourteenth Amendment rights were violated when the university ended his tenure-track contract after a 2024 off-campus talk about the Israeli–Palestinian conflict. The talk, held in North Carolina and not affiliated with the university, triggered a social-media campaign that led to administrative leave and a May contract termination, despite Robinson not identifying with Texas State at the event. He appeals the decision, while advocates note a broader rise in faculty discipline over Palestine-related speech. The case highlights tensions between academic freedom and campus politics, and Guardian reporting notes that some online material mischaracterizes his remarks.
Prince George's school weighs renaming over César Chávez allegations
Prince George's County Public Schools is considering renaming the César Chávez Dual Spanish Immersion School in Hyattsville after New York Times reporting of allegations that César Chávez engaged in inappropriate sexual behavior toward women and possibly minors during his UFW leadership; parents react with shock and concern about the impact on students and the cost and logistics of a name change, while the district continues its formal renaming process.
From SEAL to Space: Jonny Kim to Keynote Harvard Alumni Day
NASA astronaut and Harvard-trained physician Jonny Kim will headline Harvard Alumni Day on June 5. Kim spent 245 days aboard the International Space Station during Expedition 72/73, contributing to science and NASA’s Artemis program, after a path from Navy SEAL and emergency medicine to space. His story of service and achievement will inspire alumni joining in person on campus or online.