Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

For every person in an Illinois prison college class, another waits their turn.

2 2

Reposted by Open Campus

Gail Cornwall @gailcornwall.com · 29d

“‘The fact that around 2,000 individuals are on waitlists — almost the same number as are actually enrolled — suggests that we need to greatly scale up [higher education in prison] in Illinois,’ Ginsburg said.” @charlottewest.bsky.social for @opencampus.org & @wbez.org www.wbez.org/public-safet...

Research shows getting educated in prison helps prevent people from going back. In Illinois, new state data shows higher education opportunities inside are sparse.

6 flashpoints in the history of academic freedom in Pittsburgh

1 2 3

Reposted by Open Campus

Rich Lord @richelord.bsky.social · 24d

If you missed the opening story in "Gagging Academia" then you may not know that Pittsburgh has a 95-year history as a scene of back-and-forth on campus expression. Explore six flashpoints: www.publicsource.org/historic-pit...

From Pitt to CMU to CCAC, Pittsburgh universities have faced clashes over speech, politics and academic freedom for nearly a century.

www.publicsource.org

1 2 2

Reposted by Open Campus

Rich Lord @richelord.bsky.social · 24d

Scholars are scared. Who can blame them? If you choose to share your thoughts on Academic Freedom in 2025 for our recently launched series "Gagging Academia," we at @publicsource.org will work with you in whatever way you feel comfortable. Here's where to start: www.publicsource.org/academic-fre...

Do you have thoughts on academic freedom?

Share your input on academic freedom in higher ed — the freedom to research, publish and discuss relevant issues without censorship.

www.publicsource.org

1 3 1

Reposted by Open Campus

Rich Lord @richelord.bsky.social · 24d

Thanks to @opencampus.org for its support of this series and of @publicsource.org's higher ed coverage generally!

1 3

Open Campus @opencampus.org · 24d

The U.S. Ed Dept announced earlier this month that it’s ending grant programs that help fund minority-serving colleges, including more than 600 Hispanic-serving institutions. Wisconsin colleges say they’ll keep up the work with or without the additional money. www.opencampus.org/2025/09/16/w...

Wisconsin colleges vow to keep supporting Hispanic students despite federal funding cuts - Open Campus

The U.S. Department of Education announced last week that it’s ending grant programs that help fund minority-serving colleges, including more than 600 Hispanic-serving institutions. Wisconsin colleges...

Trump administration targets Illinois in-state tuition for immigrant students lacking legal status

1 3

Reposted by Open Campus

Lisa Kurian Philip @lkpwrites.bsky.social · Sep 2

#Illinois is the fourth state to be targeted by the Trump administration over long-standing state laws providing reduced #college tuition to #immigrant students who reside in their states but lack legal status.

@wbez.org @opencampus.org

www.wbez.org/immigration/...

Federal officials allege the practice violates federal law and discriminates against U.S. citizens living in other states.

Higher ed’s ‘hunker-down mindset'

1 6 9

Reposted by Open Campus

Robert Kelchen @robertkelchen.com · Sep 5

I talked with @opencampus.org about what I called higher ed's "hunker-down mindset" as the number of available jobs shrinks and housing prices and interest rates both remain high. It's really hard to get good people to move right now...and really hard to move up the staff ladder without that.

A tight housing market and a fragile job market mean those working in higher ed have fewer options than ever.

open-campus-dispatch.beehiiv.com

2 11

Open Campus @opencampus.org · Aug 19

Big changes are coming to student loan repayment. The Trump admin is rolling back relief measures, collections have resumed, and the # of repayment plans is being cut. Borrowers have fewer options and more risk of falling behind. Here's what you need to know. www.opencampus.org/2025/07/25/b...

Big changes are coming to student loan repayment. Here’s how to prepare. - Open Campus

More than 1.6 million people in Illinois owe federal student debt. The Trump administration is trying to speed up their repayment.

What fewer international college students could mean for Ohio this fall - Open Campus

2 3

Open Campus @opencampus.org · Aug 19

As the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown continues, national estimates project 30% to 40% fewer new students from around the globe will be on U.S. campuses this fall. What this means for Ohio and the country. From Amy Morona for Signal Cleveland www.opencampus.org/2025/08/14/w...

As the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown continues, national estimates project 30% to 40% fewer new students from around the globe will be on American campuses this fall.

Why a new Trump policy could expel thousands of adult students from classes - Open Campus

3

Open Campus @opencampus.org · Aug 11

In July, the Ed Dept said that adult students without legal status must be banned from federally funded career technical education classes, ESL programs and HS equivalency courses. Many school leaders say the new policy could lead to enrollment declines. www.opencampus.org/2025/07/28/w...

The U.S. Department of Education says adult students without legal status are now banned from certain courses. Teens at public K-12 districts could see changes too.

What to know about the Trump budget bill’s impact on schools that serve students of color - Open Campus

Open Campus @opencampus.org · Jul 24

Federal funding cuts are hitting schools that serve students of color hard. Trump's budget includes a 14.4% cut to Title III funding that supports Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Tribal Colleges and Universities, and Minority-Serving Institutions. www.opencampus.org/2025/07/17/w...

Together, the Trump administration’s budgetary cuts and the pending lawsuit could cause the schools to reduce services for students, hike tuition, and even close their doors, according to higher educa...

First person: "AmeriCorps gave me a bridge back to society. Then Trump cut the funding." - Open Campus

1 1

Reposted by Open Campus

Empowerment Avenue @empowermentave.bsky.social · Jul 23

For @opencampus.org, Kun Lyna "K" Tauch writes about an employment program that was supporting him post incarceration, until funding was cut by President Trump.

www.opencampus.org/2025/07/21/f...

Cuts to Americorps funding hit formerly incarcerated volunteers especially hard.

In midnight move, CMU students roll in new fence to protest closure of free speech icon - Open Campus

Open Campus @opencampus.org · Jul 21

After Carnegie Mellon paused customary student control over The Fence, members of the campus community wheeled in a new one to highlight the importance of free expression in the wake of a contentious summit. CMU leaders then reopened the iconic message board. www.opencampus.org/2025/07/21/i...

After Carnegie Mellon paused customary student control over The Fence, members of the campus community wheeled in a new one to highlight the importance of free expression in the wake of a contentious ...

Students find belonging in a Michigan prison - Open Campus

2

Reposted by Open Campus

WUNC News @wunc.org · Jul 16

📣 Big news for North Carolina! Three newsrooms — WUNC, @opencampus.org, and @nclocal.bsky.social — are joining forces to strengthen higher education reporting across the state.

Here's more about the collaboration and how to share your thoughts on what should be covered: www.wunc.org/education/20...

4 20

Reposted by Open Campus

Empowerment Avenue @empowermentave.bsky.social · Jul 15

Writer and artist Alvin Smith shares words and art with @opencampus.org, in a profile of the joint bachelor’s program that Hope College and Western Theological Seminary offered at his Michigan prison.

www.opencampus.org/2025/07/07/s...

Artist Alvin Smith worked together with his fellow students in the Hope-Western Prison Education Program to put together this series of reflections on what it meant to see the college community embrac...

TCU student group Legacy Frogs combines business and sports to create NIL deals - Open Campus

1 3

Open Campus @opencampus.org · Jul 15

Three business students at Texas Christian University saw an opportunity to help student-athletes following a recent $2.8 billion NCAA settlement. www.opencampus.org/2025/07/14/t...

With the NCAA settlement finalized, the group is poised to maximize student athlete’s social media presence.

How nonprofit newsrooms are rewriting the rules of beat reporting - INN News

Reposted by Open Campus

American Journalism Project @theajp.bsky.social · Jul 15

Community coffee chats. Bilingual explainers. Shared reporters.

AJP-supported organizations like @spotlightdelaware.bsky.social and @opencampus.org are rethinking what beat reporting can look like. Read more via INN ⬇️

From Arizona to Maine, INN members are proving that collaboration isn’t just a budget fix — it’s a better way to serve communities.

https://news.inn.org/how-nonprofit-newsrooms-are-rewriting-the-rules-of-beat-reporting/"

4 4

Open Campus @opencampus.org · Jul 14

Pell Grants remained largely unscathed in the final version of the "Big Beautiful Bill" that President Trump signed earlier this month. The biggest change is the intro of short-term workforce Pell and the elimination of eligibility for students with full rides. www.opencampus.org/2025/07/04/p...

Pell Grants escape ‘One Big Beautiful Bill Act’ mostly unscathed - Open Campus

The bill also expanded access by creating “Workforce Pell Grants” for students in accredited workforce programs in high-skill, high-wage areas, even if these are short-term programs.

How nonprofit newsrooms are rewriting the rules of beat reporting - INN News

Reposted by Open Campus

Institute for Nonprofit News @inn.org · Jul 11

INN newsrooms like @opencampus.org and @spotlightdelaware.bsky.social are rewriting the rules of beat reporting, writes INN's Alana Rocha.

The key? Collaboration. news.inn.org/how-nonprofi...

From Arizona to Maine, INN members are proving that collaboration isn’t just a budget fix — it’s a better way to serve communities.

news.inn.org

4 5

Open Campus @opencampus.org · Jul 10

In May, Pres. Donald Trump recommended eliminating federal funding for a program that helps low-income adults age 55+ learn new skills and build careers. If Congress doesn’t act by Oct 1, seniors in the program may be left with little assistance in reentering the labor market. tinyurl.com/y578fucz

This program helps seniors find jobs. Trump’s cuts would end it - Open Campus

Goodwill’s program helps low-income seniors in Indy learn skills, such as digital literacy.

California colleges can now pay athletes directly. Why taxpayers may foot some of the bill - Open Campus

Open Campus @opencampus.org · Jul 7

Starting last week, California’s top universities can pay their athletes directly. A CalMatters estimate suggests some student-athletes at UC Berkeley could make roughly $200K a year. At public universities, schools could use taxpayer $ to make these payments. www.opencampus.org/2025/07/01/c...

A watershed legal settlement takes effect today, allowing universities to pay college athletes directly.

Student group banned by DePaul continues to run covert birth control delivery service

2

Reposted by Open Campus

Lisa Kurian Philip @lkpwrites.bsky.social · Jul 3

Meet the "Womb Service," a group of DePaul University students who supply birth control to classmates. The Catholic school has long banned the distribution of contraceptives on campus. Womb Service volunteers say the policy is dangerous.

@wbez.org @opencampus.org

www.wbez.org/health-medic...

University officials recently suspended the group from campus because of its affiliation with Planned Parenthood. Student leaders accuse DePaul of kowtowing to President Donald Trump.

Charlottesville Tomorrow joins Open Campus Local Network - Open Campus

1 8 13

Open Campus @opencampus.org · Jul 2

President Donald Trump’s administration is reshaping higher ed, healthcare, immigration, and more. We’ll dig into the effects of those changes on public institutions, in partnership with @cvilletomorrow.bsky.social www.opencampus.org/2025/07/01/c...

Open Campus now has 20 reporters at 17 newsrooms around the country.

Colorado students, education leaders try to help TRIO college-access program avoid Trump cuts - Open Campus

Open Campus @opencampus.org · Jun 27

870,000 high school and college students and older adults from low-income backgrounds, students with disabilities, and first-generation students benefit from TRIO. Trump’s proposed budget for FY-2026 would strip all funding from the 6-decade old program. www.opencampus.org/2025/06/26/c...

The Trump administration wants to end funding for the federal TRIO program, which helps students from low-income backgrounds, students with disabilities, and first-generation students get to and throu...