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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · Sep 9

You can get Hot Takes on higher ed anywhere. But for What is Actually Happening in the policy chaos of Washington, you need Fansmith, Spreitzer and Gunja. Today 2 pm: season premiere of dotEDU! P.S.: #HigherEdBuildsAmerica www.acenet.edu/Pages/dotedu...

ACE's dotEDU Podcast

Join our hosts Jon Fansmith, Mushtaq Gunja, and Sarah Spreitzer as they delve into the policy aspects of issues that impact campuses, students, and higher education leaders.

www.acenet.edu

Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · Mar 29

Important story on the detained Tufts graduate student, via Anemona Hartocollis of the NYT www.nytimes.com/2025/03/29/u...

Targeting of Tufts Student for Deportation Stuns Friends and Teachers

The Trump administration said she “engaged in activities in support of Hamas.” Her friends and lawyers say all she did was co-author an essay critical of the war in Gaza.

www.nytimes.com

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · Mar 23

A great American.

www.washingtonpost.com/obituaries/2...

Max Frankel, Pulitzer winner who led the New York Times, dies at 94

He helped shepherd the Pentagon Papers into print, was decorated for his coverage of Nixon’s trip to China and broadened news coverage as executive editor.

www.washingtonpost.com

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · Mar 19

Powerful stuff from Princeton’s president on the Columbia situation.
Chris Eisgruber, in The Atlantic, writes that attacks on Columbia pose “the greatest threat to American universities since the Red Scare of the 1950s. Every American should be concerned.”
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...

The Cost of the Government’s Attack on Columbia

American universities have given the country prosperity and security. The Trump administration’s attack on academic freedom endangers all of that.

www.theatlantic.com

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · Mar 18

At a moment of profound chaos, turmoil, and fear, ACE is standing up for higher education. We always have. We urge all friends of higher ed to join us. The moment is now.

Grateful to @hechingerreport.org for publishing our view.
#HigherEdBuildsAmerica

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · Mar 18

"Colleges and universities have long worked with the government in countless ways to strengthen our economy, democracy, health and security. We cannot abandon that partnership. We must fortify it." --Ted Mitchell, president of @aceducation.bsky.social
hechingerreport.org/opinion-here...

OPINION: Here’s why we cannot permit America’s partnership with higher education to weaken or dissolve - The Hechinger Report

Abrupt cuts in federal funding for life saving medical research. Confusing and misleading new guidance about campus diversity programs. Cancellation, without due process, of hundreds of millions of do...

hechingerreport.org

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · Mar 15

Today I ran 13.1 in the nation’s capital for higher education. For the faculty. For the staff. Above all, for the students. If you are a friend of higher ed, now is the time to stand up. Join us. Fight for it. We at @aceducation.bsky.social are with you! #HigherEdBuildsAmerica

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · Mar 12

If you believe, like me, that kids not born on third base deserve a chance to go to bat and play ball in the great game of life…If you believe in the value of federal programs to support disadvantaged students…If you believe in genuine efforts to improve schools…now is the time to stand up.

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · Mar 12

More from Mitchell: “This move … causes nothing but chaos and confusion.”

American Council on Education @aceducation.bsky.social · Mar 11

ACE President Ted Mitchell: "We call on the administration and Congress to move quickly to reverse this short-sighted effort and ensure that America’s students get the support they need, and that the law requires."

Full statement: www.acenet.edu/News-Room/Pa...

Statement by ACE President Ted Mitchell on Sweeping Layoffs at the Department of Education

We are deeply alarmed at the irresponsible and harmful action by the Trump administration to cut employees at the Department of Education by as much as half.

www.acenet.edu

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · Mar 10

"We stand against antisemitism. Period. But the Trump administration’s decision last week to arbitrarily cancel some $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University is not the right way to fight hatred." -- Ted Mitchell, president of ACE
www.acenet.edu/News-Room/Pa...

Statement by ACE President Ted Mitchell Opposing the Trump Administration’s Cancellation of Grants and Contracts to Columbia University

We stand against antisemitism. Period. But the Trump administration’s decision last week to arbitrarily cancel some $400 million in federal grants and contracts to Columbia University is not the right...

www.acenet.edu

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · Mar 9

To Chron: “They don’t have a ruling from a judge. They don’t have a finding by an administrative agency.They haven’t tried to reach a resolution.They simply started cherry-picking money that’s going to Columbia and saying,‘We’re not going to pay that.'That’s not how we do this in the United States.”

Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · Mar 9

“The fact that the administration is choosing to simply ignore not just precedent, not just norms, but the actual law covering this should be concerning to a lot of people, not just people at Columbia.”

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · Mar 9

To IHE: “You don’t get to punish people just because you don’t like what they’re doing,” said Jon Fansmith, senior vice president of government relations at the American Council on Education.

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · Mar 9

Due process: It matters. It is indispensable.

My colleague Jon Fansmith at @aceducation.bsky.social has a few observations about that sudden $400m cut the government imposed on Columbia U.

www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...

And www.chronicle.com/article/trum...

Trump admin cancels $400M in grants at Columbia U

Higher ed and free speech advocates are deeply alarmed by the decision to cancel $400 million in contracts and grants at the university, saying it is yet another example of executive overreach.

www.insidehighered.com

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · Mar 7

Right! Super cool. Again, I hadn't known.

Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · Mar 7

Learn something every day. UVM is widely known to refer to University of Vermont. But do you know what the initials stand for?
Until just now, I didn't know.
I also didn't know it was founded in the 18th century (1791)

Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · Mar 6

We also need expansive thinking about credit for prior learning. And competency-based education. And flexible modes of teaching, from in person, to online, to hybrid. Flexible course schedules. These opportunity-focused policies start with maximizing the power and reach of FAFSA.

Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · Mar 6

My view: Let's have college **opportunity** for all, at all points in life, from teenage years onward. That means all high school students filling out a FAFSA, so they know what financial aid is available. That means efficient transfer-credit policies. And more.

www.nytimes.com/2025/03/06/u...

Some Schools Rethink “College For All”

The idea that every student should aim for a four-year college motivated a bipartisan movement for decades. Now even enthusiastic promoters of the idea are reconsidering it.

www.nytimes.com

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · Mar 5

Welcome news today from federal court in Boston: a nationwide preliminary injunction protecting biomedical research funding for colleges and universities across America. ACE (@aceducation.bsky.social) joined AAU and APLU as plaintiffs in one of the cases.
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/05/u...

Federal Judge Extends Block on N.I.H. Cuts to Research Funding

The order is a temporary reprieve for hospitals and universities who have argued that the changes sought by the National Institutes of Health would devastate their budgets.

www.nytimes.com

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · Mar 5

What goes into that snazzy smartphone?
"There's not one aspect of this iPhone 16 which has not been deeply empowered and enabled by, at one point or another, some academic research activity."
Watch Michael Crow of ASU make a vital point. #HigherEdBuildsAmerica
www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqfk...

University research is the "invisible hand" in advancing innovation

YouTube video by Dr. Michael M. Crow

www.youtube.com

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · Mar 4

If #HigherEdBuildsAmerica -- and yes, it does! -- then what in the world does this bill do? ... Asking for a few million friends. www.acenet.edu/News-Room/Pa...

Congress Moves to Slash Higher Ed Funding in Budget Showdown

Congress is advancing a budget bill that could impose deep cuts to programs that support students and colleges—while also introducing tax changes that could make it harder for students to afford colle...

www.acenet.edu

Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · Mar 1

Fansmith, Spreitzer, and Gunja—None better at explaining what’s happening in Washington. And there’s so much to sift through! Join the American Council on Education on Tuesday for a live q-and-a on dotEDU zoom.us/webinar/regi...

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: dotEDU Live: More Policy Shifts, More Uncertainty for Colleges. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.

Join dotEDU Live hosts Jon Fansmith, Sarah Spreitzer, and Mushtaq Gunja as they break down the latest policy shifts from Washington, DC, their impact on campuses, and what to watch for next. This week...

zoom.us

Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · Mar 1

On Saturday mornings lately, feels like there’s always more to discover about what happened on Friday

Zach Schermele @zachschermele.bsky.social · Mar 1

www.usatoday.com/story/news/e...

Ahead of layoffs, Education Department offers employees $25K to quit or retire by Monday

In an email obtained by USA TODAY, the Education Department offered employees $25,000 to take a buyout ahead of a "significant" staff reduction.

www.usatoday.com

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Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · Feb 27

Tense times, no doubt, for higher education. But pride, not fear, is what animates colleges and universities. Chaos will not prevail. Check out your nearest campus. You’ll see. #HigherEdBuildsAmerica

Nick Anderson @higherednick.bsky.social · Feb 25

$15 billion a year...Higher education builds the Washington region, and #HigherEdBuildsAmerica. Via Dan Rosenzweig-Ziff of the Washpost. www.washingtonpost.com/education/20...

How much money do D.C.-area colleges generate? $15B, report says.

With some nearly 300,000 students in the greater Washington area, local universities employ about 100,000 people, according to a new report.

www.washingtonpost.com

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