higher-education19.06 min read
Mass. Judge Blocks Trump-Era PSLF Eligibility Rules for Public Servants
11 days ago•Source: The Washington Post
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UT Knoxville pays $1.9M in free-speech dispute after firing professor over Charlie Kirk post
The University of Tennessee at Knoxville settled for $1.9 million with Tamar Shirinian, a former anthropology professor fired after criticizing Charlie Kirk on social media; Shirinian sued, claiming her dismissal violated First Amendment rights, and the case underscores ongoing campus free-speech battles without reinstating her position.
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UT Austin ousts KUT chief after festival safety clash
The Texas Tribune•25 days ago
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Virginia Tech Board Advances Athletics Strategy, Residence Halls, and Governance Changes
Virginia Tech News•1 month ago
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Harvard professors vote to cap A grades to curb grade inflation
Harvard faculty voted to cap A grades at about 20 percent per class to combat grade inflation, signaling a stricter grading regime intended to restore trust in higher education; the policy is slated to take effect in fall 2027.
DOJ flags Yale Medical School for race-based admissions bias
The Justice Department concluded Yale School of Medicine discriminated in admissions based on race, favoring Black and Hispanic applicants over White and Asian ones, in violation of federal civil rights law. The finding comes after a 2023 Supreme Court ruling on race-conscious admissions and mirrors similar findings the DOJ issued to UCLA earlier this month. Yale did not immediately comment.
Federal probe targets Smith College's transgender admissions policy
The U.S. Education Department has opened a Title IX investigation into Smith College over its policy of admitting transgender women, arguing that the law’s single-sex admissions exception applies to biological sex rather than gender identity and that trans students’ access to women‑only spaces is under review. The inquiry follows a 2025 complaint by Defending Education, and Smith College began admitting trans women in 2015, stating its policy reflects its founding mission while evolving with the changing world. Responses from peer women’s colleges were not immediately provided.
Degree hacking: online programs let adults finish degrees in weeks
Touted as a flexible path for working adults, accelerated online degrees let students earn bachelor’s in months rather than years and some master’s in weeks, with examples like a North Carolina HR executive finishing a bachelor’s in four weeks after two months of self-study and a master’s in five weeks for about $4,000; educators worry this 'degree hacking' undermines credential value and integrity, while supporters say it lowers cost and time barriers.
Syracuse University Chief Kent Syverud Reveals Brain Cancer Diagnosis and Leadership Change
Chancellor Kent Syverud of Syracuse University announces he has been diagnosed with a form of brain cancer and is undergoing treatment; he praises the care he has received, expresses gratitude for the university community, and says Mike Haynie will assume all leadership responsibilities immediately as the university continues its end-of-year activities and preparations for Commencement.
DOJ files suit against Harvard over campus antisemitism and student protection
The U.S. Justice Department has sued Harvard University, alleging the school failed to protect Jewish and Israeli students from harassment on campus—describing incidents where protesters blocked entry to buildings and students were pressured to hide yarmulkes. The suit claims Harvard violated civil rights laws and its own policies, seeking court orders to bolster protections and even allowing the government to halt federal grant payments. Harvard countered that it has taken steps to address antisemitism and will defend itself; this marks the second DOJ action against Harvard this year (following an earlier lawsuit over admissions records).
Treasury to Handle Defaulted Student Loans in Education Department Restructure
The Education Department says the Treasury Department will take over collecting on defaulted student loans as the first phase of a three-step plan to spin off key functions from the department; supporters say Treasury is better equipped to manage debt collection, but critics worry the change will confuse borrowers and signal broader dismantling of Education Department.
UT System Sets Rules to Minimize 'Controversial' Topics in Courses
UT System Regents unanimously approved a rule requiring universities to ensure graduates can finish programs without studying “unnecessary controversial subjects,” and to have syllabi disclose covered topics with a mandate for a broad, balanced discussion. Critics warn the vague terms could push self-censorship and leave students less prepared for real-world work, and civil-rights advocates warn of potential legal challenges and bias against Black students and faculty. The policy does not ban topics like race or gender but increases oversight amid broader campus reforms and state guidance under Senate Bill 37 and related changes.
Texas A&M professor sues over firing tied to gender-identity lesson
Former Texas A&M lecturer Melissa McCoul filed a federal lawsuit alleging her firing over a gender-identity lesson violated her First Amendment free-speech rights and due-process protections, and that state officials pressured for termination; she seeks reinstatement, back pay and punitive damages, as the university has moved to restrict contentious course content.
Texas A&M Ends Women's and Gender Studies Degree Amid Campus Review
Texas A&M announced it will discontinue its women’s and gender studies degree program due to low enrollment and cost, tying the decision to a campus-wide course review sparked by a viral incident over gender-content material; six undergraduate courses were canceled under a policy restricting race and gender discussions, with current students allowed to finish their programs over six semesters but no new admissions.