Eric Kelderman
@erickelderman.bsky.social
Senior Writer for @chronicle
Baseball fan (#NATITUDE)
Des Moines, IA native
Trombonist
He/Him/His
Tell me your story: [email protected]
Signal: ekelderman.88
Baseball fan (#NATITUDE)
Des Moines, IA native
Trombonist
He/Him/His
Tell me your story: [email protected]
Signal: ekelderman.88
Pinned
Eric Kelderman
@erickelderman.bsky.social
· Mar 19
‘We Have More Athletes Than We Have Fans’
Many small colleges have invested in sports to boost enrollment. What happens when it doesn’t work?
www.chronicle.com
1/ Here is my latest: An in-depth look at the connection between enrollment and athletics at small, private colleges:
Bottom line is, that adding sports is not a sure-fire way to increase or even stabilize enrollment, as is sometimes promoted.
www.chronicle.com/article/we-h...
Bottom line is, that adding sports is not a sure-fire way to increase or even stabilize enrollment, as is sometimes promoted.
www.chronicle.com/article/we-h...
Reposted by Eric Kelderman
UMass has been FBS's worst football team since it moved up in 2012. Its struggles include spilled hydraulic fluid, a failed stint at an NFL stadium 90 miles away, and unmet "pie-in-the-sky" projections.
Now the school is doubling down. More w/ Daniel Libit 👇
www.sportico.com/leagues/coll...
Now the school is doubling down. More w/ Daniel Libit 👇
www.sportico.com/leagues/coll...
Sunk-Cost Football: UMass’ Faltering Quest to Belong in the FBS
UMass bought the promise of big-time football in 2011, when it joined the FBS. Fourteen brutal years later, the Minutemen are doubling down.
www.sportico.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:32 PM
UMass has been FBS's worst football team since it moved up in 2012. Its struggles include spilled hydraulic fluid, a failed stint at an NFL stadium 90 miles away, and unmet "pie-in-the-sky" projections.
Now the school is doubling down. More w/ Daniel Libit 👇
www.sportico.com/leagues/coll...
Now the school is doubling down. More w/ Daniel Libit 👇
www.sportico.com/leagues/coll...
After 40 years, The Chronicle is closing its physical offices. I’ve been here for more than 17 years, so it feels like a big change
November 25, 2025 at 11:01 PM
After 40 years, The Chronicle is closing its physical offices. I’ve been here for more than 17 years, so it feels like a big change
Reposted by Eric Kelderman
Breaking News: The CDC quietly appointed Dr. Ralph Lee Abraham, who has been critical of vaccines, as its second in command. During the Covid pandemic, he promoted discredited treatments like ivermectin and, as Louisiana’s surgeon general, halted the state’s mass vaccination campaign.
C.D.C. Quietly Appoints Doctor Critical of Vaccines as Second in Command
During the Covid-19 pandemic, Dr. Ralph Lee Abraham promoted discredited treatments like ivermectin and, as Louisiana’s surgeon general, halted the state’s mass vaccination campaign.
trib.al
November 25, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Breaking News: The CDC quietly appointed Dr. Ralph Lee Abraham, who has been critical of vaccines, as its second in command. During the Covid pandemic, he promoted discredited treatments like ivermectin and, as Louisiana’s surgeon general, halted the state’s mass vaccination campaign.
For real wonks only: ED only named five appointees here, though they are allowed six appointees. What happened to number six? Did they withdraw? Not make it through the vetting process??
Hey Ed policy wonks, new #Naciqi members just announced, from ED news release
November 25, 2025 at 6:17 PM
For real wonks only: ED only named five appointees here, though they are allowed six appointees. What happened to number six? Did they withdraw? Not make it through the vetting process??
www.chronicle.com/article/scho...
Directors and staff from four such centers told The Chronicle they have seen a year-to-year increase in enrollment, while acknowledging that it remains short of their aspirations.
Directors and staff from four such centers told The Chronicle they have seen a year-to-year increase in enrollment, while acknowledging that it remains short of their aspirations.
Schools of Civic Thought Are on the Rise. Are Students Interested?
New, sometimes controversial, centers have been pushed as a way to emphasize civic and classical education. So far, students aren’t flocking to their courses.
www.chronicle.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:58 PM
www.chronicle.com/article/scho...
Directors and staff from four such centers told The Chronicle they have seen a year-to-year increase in enrollment, while acknowledging that it remains short of their aspirations.
Directors and staff from four such centers told The Chronicle they have seen a year-to-year increase in enrollment, while acknowledging that it remains short of their aspirations.
www.chronicle.com/article/debo...
Deborah Lipstadt is writing a memoir about her government experience, planning to return to teaching, and eager to further influence how colleges respond to antisemitism — an issue at the heart of the Trump administration’s confrontation with higher ed.
Deborah Lipstadt is writing a memoir about her government experience, planning to return to teaching, and eager to further influence how colleges respond to antisemitism — an issue at the heart of the Trump administration’s confrontation with higher ed.
Deborah Lipstadt’s Fight Over Fighting Antisemitism
Is the historian’s definition of discrimination clarifying — or part of the problem?
www.chronicle.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:57 PM
www.chronicle.com/article/debo...
Deborah Lipstadt is writing a memoir about her government experience, planning to return to teaching, and eager to further influence how colleges respond to antisemitism — an issue at the heart of the Trump administration’s confrontation with higher ed.
Deborah Lipstadt is writing a memoir about her government experience, planning to return to teaching, and eager to further influence how colleges respond to antisemitism — an issue at the heart of the Trump administration’s confrontation with higher ed.
www.chronicle.com/article/a-wh...
“This is defaming my character, and this is slandering my name,” Anderson said. “It’s also attacking my campus, because it impacts my credibility as a leader.”
“This is defaming my character, and this is slandering my name,” Anderson said. “It’s also attacking my campus, because it impacts my credibility as a leader.”
A White Ex-Professor Alleged Racial Discrimination at an HBCU. Then Things Got Messier.
At the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore, a former faculty member is sparring with the institution’s president over plagiarism and defamation claims.
www.chronicle.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:56 PM
www.chronicle.com/article/a-wh...
“This is defaming my character, and this is slandering my name,” Anderson said. “It’s also attacking my campus, because it impacts my credibility as a leader.”
“This is defaming my character, and this is slandering my name,” Anderson said. “It’s also attacking my campus, because it impacts my credibility as a leader.”
www.chronicle.com/article/grad...
Students are arriving less prepared for college-level work with a more limited capacity to work independently and read at length. Many instructors no longer expect as much from their students as they did 10 or 15 years ago, so an A doesn’t mean what it used to.
Students are arriving less prepared for college-level work with a more limited capacity to work independently and read at length. Many instructors no longer expect as much from their students as they did 10 or 15 years ago, so an A doesn’t mean what it used to.
Grading Is Broken
A growing number of professors say A’s have lost their meaning. They’re divided on the right solution.
www.chronicle.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:46 PM
www.chronicle.com/article/grad...
Students are arriving less prepared for college-level work with a more limited capacity to work independently and read at length. Many instructors no longer expect as much from their students as they did 10 or 15 years ago, so an A doesn’t mean what it used to.
Students are arriving less prepared for college-level work with a more limited capacity to work independently and read at length. Many instructors no longer expect as much from their students as they did 10 or 15 years ago, so an A doesn’t mean what it used to.
Reposted by Eric Kelderman
The University of Virginia is pressing forward with the search for its next president. New from me: www.chronicle.com/article/here...
As UVa Reels From Jim Ryan’s Tell-All, Political Turmoil Hampers the Search to Replace Him
Looming large are questions about whether a new leader will be expected to support — or denounce — diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts.
www.chronicle.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:13 PM
The University of Virginia is pressing forward with the search for its next president. New from me: www.chronicle.com/article/here...
Finally got around to watching #TheAmateur, and although a few parts were predictable, overall it was pretty satisfying
November 21, 2025 at 1:43 AM
Finally got around to watching #TheAmateur, and although a few parts were predictable, overall it was pretty satisfying
An incident in a locker room has always been key to Riley Gaines’ anti-trans fame.
But @msjpauly.bsky.social spoke to swimmers who were present at the same 2022 meet. They shared a very different narrative.
But @msjpauly.bsky.social spoke to swimmers who were present at the same 2022 meet. They shared a very different narrative.
How right-wing superstar Riley Gaines built an anti-trans empire
The swimmer tied a trans woman for fifth. The MAGA industrial complex took care of the rest.
www.motherjones.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Reposted by Eric Kelderman
Costs (the money needed to provide an education) have risen. Prices (what students pay) have been at or below inflation for the past decade. That doesn't get nearly enough attention.
NPR folks, you know where to find me.
NPR folks, you know where to find me.
November 20, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Costs (the money needed to provide an education) have risen. Prices (what students pay) have been at or below inflation for the past decade. That doesn't get nearly enough attention.
NPR folks, you know where to find me.
NPR folks, you know where to find me.
Reposted by Eric Kelderman
Breaking News: President Trump's handpicked prosecutor acknowledged that a full grand jury did not see the final indictment against James Comey before he was charged.
Trump Loyalist Admits Grand Jury Never Saw Final Comey Indictment
Lindsey Halligan, the president’s handpicked prosecutor in Virginia, admitted that she had never shown the final version of the indictment to the full grand jury before the foreperson signed the charging document.
nyti.ms
November 19, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Breaking News: President Trump's handpicked prosecutor acknowledged that a full grand jury did not see the final indictment against James Comey before he was charged.
Reposted by Eric Kelderman
There is an ironically fitting level of math illiteracy involved in saying that loosening of math standards in the past few years is why more college students are purportedly unable to do middle school math. When were new college students in middle school, gang?
November 19, 2025 at 4:05 PM
There is an ironically fitting level of math illiteracy involved in saying that loosening of math standards in the past few years is why more college students are purportedly unable to do middle school math. When were new college students in middle school, gang?
Reposted by Eric Kelderman
After two years in a row of declines in new international students, the post-Covid enrollment boom looks, in hindsight, like a bubble. An unfriendly political climate contributed to an estimated 17-percent drop in new enrollments in the U.S. this fall www.chronicle.com/newsletter/l...
A Foreign-Enrollment Downturn Isn’t Coming. It’s Already Here.
Also, the State Dept. takes over Fulbright-Hays and other international-ed programs, and more from the “Open Doors” report.
www.chronicle.com
November 19, 2025 at 4:17 PM
After two years in a row of declines in new international students, the post-Covid enrollment boom looks, in hindsight, like a bubble. An unfriendly political climate contributed to an estimated 17-percent drop in new enrollments in the U.S. this fall www.chronicle.com/newsletter/l...
Reposted by Eric Kelderman
NEW: ProPublica has found multiple cases of women with underlying health conditions who died when they couldn’t access abortions.
Tierra Walker, a 37-year-old mother, was told by doctors there was no emergency before preeclampsia killed her.
Tierra Walker, a 37-year-old mother, was told by doctors there was no emergency before preeclampsia killed her.
“Ticking Time Bomb”: A Pregnant Mother Kept Getting Sicker. She Died After She Couldn’t Get an Abortion in Texas.
Walker is one of several women ProPublica found with underlying health conditions who died when they couldn’t access abortions.
www.propublica.org
November 19, 2025 at 12:00 PM
NEW: ProPublica has found multiple cases of women with underlying health conditions who died when they couldn’t access abortions.
Tierra Walker, a 37-year-old mother, was told by doctors there was no emergency before preeclampsia killed her.
Tierra Walker, a 37-year-old mother, was told by doctors there was no emergency before preeclampsia killed her.
Update: I asked the press office for clarification on the embargo. The response: "As noted below, 'until further notice.'"
However, there is now an all-staff meeting at ED at 2 p.m., so that is 'probably' the end of the embargo??
However, there is now an all-staff meeting at ED at 2 p.m., so that is 'probably' the end of the embargo??
An announcement about a background press call with the U.S. Dept. of Education said "information discussed on this call will be strictly embargoed until further guidance."
Embargoes are issued with a specific end time. By joining the call am I agreeing to hold info indefinitely??
Embargoes are issued with a specific end time. By joining the call am I agreeing to hold info indefinitely??
November 18, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Update: I asked the press office for clarification on the embargo. The response: "As noted below, 'until further notice.'"
However, there is now an all-staff meeting at ED at 2 p.m., so that is 'probably' the end of the embargo??
However, there is now an all-staff meeting at ED at 2 p.m., so that is 'probably' the end of the embargo??
An announcement about a background press call with the U.S. Dept. of Education said "information discussed on this call will be strictly embargoed until further guidance."
Embargoes are issued with a specific end time. By joining the call am I agreeing to hold info indefinitely??
Embargoes are issued with a specific end time. By joining the call am I agreeing to hold info indefinitely??
November 18, 2025 at 5:15 PM
An announcement about a background press call with the U.S. Dept. of Education said "information discussed on this call will be strictly embargoed until further guidance."
Embargoes are issued with a specific end time. By joining the call am I agreeing to hold info indefinitely??
Embargoes are issued with a specific end time. By joining the call am I agreeing to hold info indefinitely??
Reposted by Eric Kelderman
Robins The Perfect Murder Machine - Horrifying Planet
November 17, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Robins The Perfect Murder Machine - Horrifying Planet
www.chronicle.com/article/inte...
The number of new international students coming to the United States dropped 7 percent last fall.. A preliminary snapshot survey conducted by IIE and other global-education groups found new international enrollments plummeted another 17 percent this fall.
The number of new international students coming to the United States dropped 7 percent last fall.. A preliminary snapshot survey conducted by IIE and other global-education groups found new international enrollments plummeted another 17 percent this fall.
International Students Were Already Shunning U.S. Colleges Before Trump, New Data Show
Waning interest in master’s and professional programs precipitated a 7-percent drop in foreign enrollment last fall. Preliminary figures this year suggest things will get worse.
www.chronicle.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:28 PM
www.chronicle.com/article/inte...
The number of new international students coming to the United States dropped 7 percent last fall.. A preliminary snapshot survey conducted by IIE and other global-education groups found new international enrollments plummeted another 17 percent this fall.
The number of new international students coming to the United States dropped 7 percent last fall.. A preliminary snapshot survey conducted by IIE and other global-education groups found new international enrollments plummeted another 17 percent this fall.