Chronicle of Higher Education
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Academe’s most trusted resource for independent journalism, career development, and forward-looking intelligence.
Website: www.chronicle.com
Website: www.chronicle.com
Higher ed’s breaking news doesn’t wait. Our Afternoon Update newsletter delivers the day’s latest headlines straight to your inbox every weekday afternoon. Sign up for free. https://chroni.cl/4suiM47
Afternoon Update
Keep up with the latest headlines and trending stories. Delivered every weekday afternoon.
chroni.cl
January 8, 2026 at 10:24 PM
Higher ed’s breaking news doesn’t wait. Our Afternoon Update newsletter delivers the day’s latest headlines straight to your inbox every weekday afternoon. Sign up for free. https://chroni.cl/4suiM47
Here’s everything you need to know about finding a tenure-track position. https://chroni.cl/4qnoJy4
How to Get an Academic Job
Here’s everything you need to know about finding a tenure-track position.
chroni.cl
January 8, 2026 at 9:20 PM
Here’s everything you need to know about finding a tenure-track position. https://chroni.cl/4qnoJy4
The share of Americans who study overseas has remained stubbornly low for decades. Is allowing students to take online courses that answer to study abroad’s accessibility problem? https://chroni.cl/4jssb7Y
Studying Abroad ... Online?
An idea to get more students overseas, ‘open debate’ training for foreign students, and more news for the new year.
www.chronicle.com
January 8, 2026 at 8:16 PM
The share of Americans who study overseas has remained stubbornly low for decades. Is allowing students to take online courses that answer to study abroad’s accessibility problem? https://chroni.cl/4jssb7Y
Opinion | Hollis Robbins writes about thin — very thin — fiscal ice. https://chroni.cl/4psdD9W
Opinion | College Bankruptcies Are Coming
Chasing an idealized past has undermined higher ed’s present.
www.chronicle.com
January 8, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Opinion | Hollis Robbins writes about thin — very thin — fiscal ice. https://chroni.cl/4psdD9W
Science-funding advocates have notched legislative and judicial wins in recent weeks, including bills that hold funding for the National Science Foundation, NASA, and the Department of Energy steady. https://chroni.cl/4jEZ5mc
Trump Wanted to Slash Scientific Research Funding. So Far, Congress Has Said No.
Legislators this week indicated that they will keep funding steady at three key agencies, effectively rejecting the White House’s effort to slash their appropriations.
chroni.cl
January 8, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Science-funding advocates have notched legislative and judicial wins in recent weeks, including bills that hold funding for the National Science Foundation, NASA, and the Department of Energy steady. https://chroni.cl/4jEZ5mc
Opinion | A renowned law professor speaks out on the risks of suing the government and much more. https://chroni.cl/4aR5hoQ
Randall Kennedy Is Afraid. He Thinks You Should Be Too.
The Harvard law professor on federal extortion, DEI overreach, and why defeating Trump in court won’t be enough.
www.chronicle.com
January 8, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Opinion | A renowned law professor speaks out on the risks of suing the government and much more. https://chroni.cl/4aR5hoQ
In Martin Peterson’s “Contemporary Moral Issues” course at Texas A&M, students examine issues such as abortion, capital punishment, and global hunger through the lens of various philosophical theories. This semester, those can’t include his planned readings of Plato. https://chroni.cl/49wDFTv
Texas A&M Bans Plato Excerpt From a Philosophy Course
Martin Peterson wasn’t surprised when he had to excise two units on race and gender ideology from a philosophy course. What did shock him was that the ban included readings from Plato’s “Symposium.”
chroni.cl
January 8, 2026 at 4:00 PM
In Martin Peterson’s “Contemporary Moral Issues” course at Texas A&M, students examine issues such as abortion, capital punishment, and global hunger through the lens of various philosophical theories. This semester, those can’t include his planned readings of Plato. https://chroni.cl/49wDFTv
Start your day with Academe Today, our free weekday newsletter delivering trusted reporting, expert insight, and the stories shaping campuses nationwide. Sign up now. https://chroni.cl/3Z0z4UF
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chroni.cl
January 8, 2026 at 12:32 AM
Start your day with Academe Today, our free weekday newsletter delivering trusted reporting, expert insight, and the stories shaping campuses nationwide. Sign up now. https://chroni.cl/3Z0z4UF
When Jim Lang first started teaching, he had precisely one goal for the first day of the semester: Get through it. Take Jim's advice: Don't be like him. https://chroni.cl/44WrLRA
How to Teach a Good First Day of Class
The first day of class is crucial both for your students and for you. This guide will help you make opening day as effective as possible.
chroni.cl
January 7, 2026 at 11:28 PM
When Jim Lang first started teaching, he had precisely one goal for the first day of the semester: Get through it. Take Jim's advice: Don't be like him. https://chroni.cl/44WrLRA
Read our most popular stories from 2025: https://chroni.cl/3L3uNwD
Opinion | The 10 Most Read Review Stories of 2025
Lee Bollinger on higher ed’s authoritarian moment, Jill Lepore on why she almost quit Harvard, and more.
chroni.cl
January 7, 2026 at 10:24 PM
Read our most popular stories from 2025: https://chroni.cl/3L3uNwD
What were the topics that most concerned readers of our teaching newsletter in 2025? AI of course. But they were also drawn to conversations about rethinking grading, teaching the hidden curriculum, and getting students to do work outside of class. https://chroni.cl/3N6zaaQ
What Captured Your Interest in 2025
We look back on a year in transition to see what drew readers’ attention
chroni.cl
January 7, 2026 at 9:20 PM
What were the topics that most concerned readers of our teaching newsletter in 2025? AI of course. But they were also drawn to conversations about rethinking grading, teaching the hidden curriculum, and getting students to do work outside of class. https://chroni.cl/3N6zaaQ
Opinion | What happened to the Ph.D. program in literature and cultural studies at Carnegie Mellon? https://chroni.cl/4qGE64u
A Hostile Takeover at Carnegie Mellon?
Plus: K. Anthony Appiah on pluralism, politics, religion, and more.
www.chronicle.com
January 7, 2026 at 8:16 PM
Opinion | What happened to the Ph.D. program in literature and cultural studies at Carnegie Mellon? https://chroni.cl/4qGE64u
Opinion | Jeanne-Marie Jackson on what an all-but-forgotten African intellectual can teach us about intellectual pluralism now. https://chroni.cl/4q8hM3P
Opinion | Viewpoint Diversity Misses the Point
The academy’s latest obsession mistakes political representation for intellectual agility.
www.chronicle.com
January 7, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Opinion | Jeanne-Marie Jackson on what an all-but-forgotten African intellectual can teach us about intellectual pluralism now. https://chroni.cl/4q8hM3P
In Advice: If you don’t want students to default to AI, the classroom has to become the laboratory for practicing the skills that you care about: reading, writing, problem solving, thinking, and creating. https://chroni.cl/3YsSVMc
Advice | If You Care About It, Do It in Class
Why faculty members need to shift the balance of class time from first exposure to skills practice.
chroni.cl
January 7, 2026 at 6:08 PM
In Advice: If you don’t want students to default to AI, the classroom has to become the laboratory for practicing the skills that you care about: reading, writing, problem solving, thinking, and creating. https://chroni.cl/3YsSVMc
A single weather event, Hurricane Helene, has caused an estimated $44 million in damages to North Carolina's public colleges. But when coupled with declining revenue, the effect is far greater. https://chroni.cl/49IXwQA
These Rising Costs Are Squeezing College Budgets
Dwindling revenue might be the greatest threat to your institution. But escalating expenses are driving campus belt-tightening, too.
www.chronicle.com
January 7, 2026 at 5:04 PM
A single weather event, Hurricane Helene, has caused an estimated $44 million in damages to North Carolina's public colleges. But when coupled with declining revenue, the effect is far greater. https://chroni.cl/49IXwQA
Opinion | Lee Bollinger says we need a new conception of the role of the university in a free society, one that centers it in the defense of democracy. https://chroni.cl/4qBGwS0
Universities Need a New Defense
The authoritarian threat is growing. The old playbook won’t work.
www.chronicle.com
January 7, 2026 at 4:00 PM
Opinion | Lee Bollinger says we need a new conception of the role of the university in a free society, one that centers it in the defense of democracy. https://chroni.cl/4qBGwS0
Cut through the noise and stay on top of the news that matters most in academe. Chronicle newsletters break down the most consequential stories in higher ed. Don’t miss a thing — sign up now. https://chroni.cl/49a1DVO
Get Newsletters
www.chronicle.com
January 6, 2026 at 11:28 PM
Cut through the noise and stay on top of the news that matters most in academe. Chronicle newsletters break down the most consequential stories in higher ed. Don’t miss a thing — sign up now. https://chroni.cl/49a1DVO
Offering a new course? Looking to revamp an old one? It's time to think about your syllabus. Our comprehensive guide has you covered. https://chroni.cl/4qrAvb7
How to Create a Syllabus
There’s never a bad time to re-examine and rethink how to write your syllabus. This guide walks you through everything you need to know, with specific tips and strategies, to craft an effective syllab...
www.chronicle.com
January 6, 2026 at 10:24 PM
Offering a new course? Looking to revamp an old one? It's time to think about your syllabus. Our comprehensive guide has you covered. https://chroni.cl/4qrAvb7
Nebraska's chancellor oversaw budget-driven cuts to academic programs this fall that were deeply unpopular with professors— and led to their first-ever vote of no-confidence. https://chroni.cl/4puZ6dI
U. of Nebraska’s Big Cuts Drew Faculty Blowback. Now the Chancellor Is Leaving Suddenly.
Rodney D. Bennett oversaw budget-driven cuts to the flagship’s academic programs this fall that led to the faculty’s first-ever vote of no confidence.
chroni.cl
January 6, 2026 at 9:20 PM
Nebraska's chancellor oversaw budget-driven cuts to academic programs this fall that were deeply unpopular with professors— and led to their first-ever vote of no-confidence. https://chroni.cl/4puZ6dI
The billionaire investor Bill Ackman has revealed that he’s bankrolling Francesca Gino’s lawsuit against Harvard University. It fired the tenured business-school professor after concluding she committed research misconduct.
https://chroni.cl/4poMMLS
https://chroni.cl/4poMMLS
An Influential Billionaire Is Funding a Disgraced Scientist’s Fight Against Harvard
Bill Ackman said on X that he’s been backing Francesca Gino, the embattled honesty researcher, in her lawsuit against Harvard since June 2024.
www.chronicle.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:16 PM
The billionaire investor Bill Ackman has revealed that he’s bankrolling Francesca Gino’s lawsuit against Harvard University. It fired the tenured business-school professor after concluding she committed research misconduct.
https://chroni.cl/4poMMLS
https://chroni.cl/4poMMLS
Just 1.2 percent of bachelor's degree programs would fail a new test that was implemented under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. That's still 300 programs.
https://chroni.cl/4984UF3
https://chroni.cl/4984UF3
Colleges Face a New Test on Their Grads’ Earnings. These Programs Would Fail.
Nearly 6 percent of about 50,000 programs would fall below a new salary threshold, according to federal data. The Education Department is discussing proposed regulations this week.
www.chronicle.com
January 6, 2026 at 7:12 PM
Just 1.2 percent of bachelor's degree programs would fail a new test that was implemented under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. That's still 300 programs.
https://chroni.cl/4984UF3
https://chroni.cl/4984UF3
Trump can’t cap overhead rate on NIH grants to research universities, appeals court rules https://chroni.cl/49IfuCQ
Trump Can’t Cap Overhead Rate on NIH Grants to Research Universities, Appeals Court Rules
The ruling is a victory for higher-education associations who challenged the proposed 15-percent cap, calling it illegal and claiming it would devastate the research enterprise.
chroni.cl
January 6, 2026 at 6:08 PM
Trump can’t cap overhead rate on NIH grants to research universities, appeals court rules https://chroni.cl/49IfuCQ
Republican lawmakers have long made the case that loan caps help combat excessive borrowing debt and cease rampant tuition hikes, but critics say they could choke off the pipeline for vital professions already experiencing nationwide shortages. Read more about the debate. https://chroni.cl/45GOH7s
Why People Are Freaking Out About Graduate Loan Caps
Tighter limits on borrowing for master’s and professional degrees are leaving prospective students and colleges fearful of the future.
chroni.cl
January 6, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Republican lawmakers have long made the case that loan caps help combat excessive borrowing debt and cease rampant tuition hikes, but critics say they could choke off the pipeline for vital professions already experiencing nationwide shortages. Read more about the debate. https://chroni.cl/45GOH7s
In Advice: Faculty creativity is suffocating under an expanding regime of reporting and metrics. Not every minute of the day or event needs to have a demonstrable benefit to institutional goals. https://chroni.cl/49tT1Z1
Advice | Faculty Motivation in a Uniquely Demotivating Time
It’s unreasonable to expect professors to hit hurdle after hurdle and still stay in the race. Institutions are going to have to clear some obstacles.
chroni.cl
January 6, 2026 at 4:00 PM
In Advice: Faculty creativity is suffocating under an expanding regime of reporting and metrics. Not every minute of the day or event needs to have a demonstrable benefit to institutional goals. https://chroni.cl/49tT1Z1
From the Archives: As a professor, what would you do if you found out your TA was being paid more than you? When this UC-Santa Cruz lecturer found herself in that position, she quit. https://chroni.cl/4aJPlVb
After Learning Her TA Would Be Paid More Than She Was, This Lecturer Quit
Labor activism has graduate teaching assistants out-earning some faculty members in the University of California system.
www.chronicle.com
January 5, 2026 at 8:16 PM
From the Archives: As a professor, what would you do if you found out your TA was being paid more than you? When this UC-Santa Cruz lecturer found herself in that position, she quit. https://chroni.cl/4aJPlVb