Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Academic Aunties @academicaunties.com · 7d

On our latest episode, we take a break from academic seriousness and get into @tungohan.bsky.social 's guilty pleasure: The Summer I Turned Pretty. Listen wherever you get your podcast! www.academicaunties.com/episodes/the...

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Academic Aunties @academicaunties.com · 20d

NEW EPISODE! @tungohan.bsky.social and Carrianne Leung talk about the energy we bring into the classroom, with students who are coping with realities of fascism, genocide, climate catastrophe, and the uncertainties of AI. Listen on your favourite podcast app: academicaunties.captivate.fm

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Anne Revillard @anne-rev.bsky.social · 26d

I recently discovered the @academicaunties.com podcast ❤️🔥💪. Many thanks to @tungohan.bsky.social and the production team for their work. I particularly recommend this episode on academic freedom and Palestine - initially aired
in Nov, 2023 but sadly still very relevant 😥
pca.st/episode/ce5b...

Academic Freedom and Palestine

pca.st

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Academic Aunties @academicaunties.com · 21d

Psst…we’re back! Our first episode of season 6 (!) drops tomorrow. @tungohan.bsky.social speaks to Dr. Carrieanne Leung about the energy we bring as the school year returns, and carving a space for joy amidst the dark times we find ourselves in.

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Academic Aunties @academicaunties.com · Jul 13

We had the honour of speaking with Sheila back in 2022, who reminded us that being a scientist means taking sides. She never stopped fighting for what was right. We will miss you 💔

www.thestar.com/news/gta/she...

‘Sheila just went for it’: York University scientist Sheila Colla remembered as a fierce advocate to save wild bees

Colla, 43, died Sunday of cancer. She successfully fought for the rusty-patched bumblebee to become the first bee listed as an endangered species in Canada and the U.S.

www.thestar.com

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Ethel Tungohan @tungohan.bsky.social · May 14

Can't believe we're done with @academicaunties.com this season! Elisha Lim & I talk about why relationship building is crucial when organizing, the culture shock we faced when entering academia & the generative possibilities of using AI as activists! www.academicaunties.com/episodes/org... /1

Organizing, Mobilizing…and AI

Season finale! The past year, we’ve talked a lot about just how much we’ve had to fight for the university. From authoritarian leaders who wish to s...

www.academicaunties.com

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Eileen Clancy 🧿 @clancyny.bsky.social · May 11

Rümeysa Öztürk spoke briefly at a press conference held when she arrived at Logan Airport tonight.

"My dear professor and lab mates are here today. I just want to highlight that. ... My advisor sent my dissertation proposal to the prison. My lab mates have been reading me books on the phone."

Eileen Clancy 🧿 @clancyny.bsky.social · May 11

LIVE NOW: Rümeysa Öztürk and her legal team

Best QUALITY link

Tufts student and lawyers speak at Logan Airport after returning from Louisiana

Tufts graduate student Rümeysa Öztürk and members of her legal team spoke at Boston Logan Airport on Saturday evening, after they arrived home from an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention fac...

www.wcvb.com

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ACLU @aclu.org · May 9

Today, our client Rümeysa Öztürk was released on bail from ICE detention in Louisiana, and she will return to New England to continue her studies.

📸 Giancarlo D’Agostaro

Two woman walking and embracing each other in front of an ICE detention center. The woman on the left is wearing a black dress and heels. The woman on the right is smiling and wearing a white hijab, glasses, and a pink garment. Members of the press are in the background.

Two women standing, smiling, and embracing each other with grass, water, and the sky in the background. The woman on the left is wearing a white hijab, glasses, and a pink garment. The woman on the right is wearing a black dress.

Two woman stand next to each other and hold onto one another. The woman on the left is wearing a black dress. The woman on the right is smiling and wearing a white hijab, glasses, and a pink garment. In the background is the fence of an ICE detention center.

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Anna Bower @annabower.bsky.social · May 9

UPDATE: Judge Sessions just entered a written order reaffirming his earlier order that Ozturk be immediately released without travel restrictions.

Order implies that, as of 4:50 p.m. ET, Ozturk had not yet been released.

The Court held a telephonic conference with counsel for
Petitioner and counsel for Respondent at 4:50pm. The Court
reaffirmed its ruling made at the bail hearing earlier on
5/9/25. In light of the Court's finding of no risk of flight and
no danger to the community, Petitioner is to be released from
2:25-cv-00374-wks Document 131 Filed 05/09/25 Page 2 of 2
ICE custody immediately on her own recognizance, without any
form of Body-Worn GPS or other ICE monitoring at this time.
Petitioner is not subject to any travel restrictions.
Respondent's counsel shall submit proposed conditions of release
after conferring with ICE no later than 5/12/2025.
DATED at Burlington, in the District of Vermont, this 9th
day of May 2025.
/s/ William K. Sessions III

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Anna Bower @annabower.bsky.social · May 9

Johnson talks about how well she knows Ozturk. Office down the hall, social events, text messages, etc. She communicates w/ her frequently.

On screen, Ozturk coughs.

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Joey Fishkin @fishkin.bsky.social · Apr 27

University leaders need to understand: they are holding INCREDIBLY good cards.

It is so rare in today's polarized era to have the support of 70+ percent of the public against the Trump admiministration on anything. Universities have that—AND winning legal arguments.

Graphic of Washington Post poll from April 18-22, 2025, showing "Majorities of Americans oppose various Trump proposals"

highlighting two lines in particular:
"Increasing the Federal Government's role in how private universities operate" - 28 percent support, 70 percent oppose
"Reducing federal funding for medical research" - 21 percent support, 77 percent oppose

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Michael Hobbes @michaelhobbes.bsky.social · Apr 21

The conservative movement has turned against reality on every scientific issue of our time, from gun violence to climate change to epidemiology.

If campuses are ideologically homogenous, it's not because academia has ostracized conservatives. It's because conservatives have ostracized academia.

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Anna Bower @annabower.bsky.social · Apr 25

NEW: A coalition of students from more than 15 law schools across the country have signed a pledge not to work for any firm that “gives in to Trump administration demands…”

Signatories include students from Harvard, Georgetown, University of Chicago, UT-Austin…

docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Law Student Firm Pledge

This pledge is being organized by law students collaborating across several law schools to counter the lawlessness of the Trump administration and major firms' cowardice in responding. We are the fut...

docs.google.com

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Karl (sad trombone noise enthusiast) @brainnotonyet.bsky.social · Apr 25

The Authoritarian capture of the university system by a rightwing state government using the state house end of session as cover should be massive news.

Kristen DeAngelis 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🍉 @kristenobacter.bsky.social · Apr 25

WHOA-- in the last hours of this years legislative session, Indiana Governor & state legislature stripped the IU Faculty Senate of governing power 🧪
www.indystar.com/story/news/p...

'Complete takeover': Lawmakers exert control over university policy in 11th hour

They appeared near the bottom of the 220-page budget bill Wednesday evening, and rose to the forefront of the heated debate Friday morning.

www.indystar.com

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Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · Apr 24

Wow—15 international students at the University of Central Florida have had their visas revoked as a result of the school's signed partnership with ICE. One was detained. Literally handed over to immigration cops by their own university. Despicable.

Visas terminated for 15 UCF students

"We reach out to relay that information to the student and advise they leave the country."

www.wesh.com

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Arctic Velocipedist @arcticvelocipedist.bsky.social · Apr 24

They is why we can’t fund government by donation. It make us a slave to the wealthy.

Lizzie O'Leary @lizzieohreally.bsky.social · Apr 23

Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan funded a tuition-free private school, starting in 2016, in East Palo Alto and the East Bay. They are now pulling their money and the school will close next year. sfstandard.com/2025/04/23/p...

‘A slap to the face’: Families say Zuckerberg-backed school to close as couple pulls funds

"It's a shock," one parent said. "It was our pride and joy to say our family went to the Primary School."

sfstandard.com

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David Noll @david.noll.org · Apr 24

jeez this is bleak
www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...

Fearing Trump’s Visa Crackdown, College Students Race to Scrub Op-Eds

Campus newspapers confront ethics debates as foreign students ask that their names and views be removed from past articles.

www.wsj.com

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Megan Zahneis @mzahneis.bsky.social · Apr 18

Here's a copy of an NSF grant termination notice that went out today. "NSF is issuing this termination to protect the interests of the government pursuant...on the basis that they no longer effectuate the program goals or agency priorities." Not subject to appeal. #HigherEd #AcademicSky

Text of email: Dear [redacted],

The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) has undertaken a review of its award portfolio. Each award was carefully and individually reviewed, and the agency has determined that termination of certain awards is necessary because they are not in alignment with current NSF priorities. Effective immediately, the following are terminated: [redacted]

NSF is issuing this termination to protect the interests of the government pursuant to NSF Grant General Conditions (GC-1) term and condition entitled Termination and Enforcement; on the basis that they no longer effectuate the program goals or agency priorities. This is the final agency decision and not subject to appeal. Costs incurred as a result of this termination may be reimbursed, provided such costs would otherwise be allowable under the terms of the award and the governing cost principles. In accordance with your award terms and conditions, you have 30 days from the termination date to furnish a summary of progress under the award and an itemized accounting of allowable costs incurred prior to the termination date.

Sincerely, [redacted] Division Director
Office of Budget Finance and Award Management (BFA)
Division of Grants and Agreements (DGA)

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Gale Anne Hurd @galeannehurd.bsky.social · Apr 10

Lest we forget…what is past is indeed prologue.

theconversation.com/universities...

Universities in Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union thought giving in to government demands would save their independence

Before the Nazis, German universities were among the best in the world. Step by step, the universities gave up their independence until they were instruments of the state.

theconversation.com

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ACLU @aclu.org · Apr 11

BREAKING: An immigration court determined our client Mahmoud Khalil to be removable from the U.S. based solely on his political speech.

The fight isn't over — we'll keep fighting for Mahmoud's freedom and all of our First Amendment rights in federal court.

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Climate Psychology Alliance of North America @climatena.bsky.social · Apr 11

This is terrible news. For Mahmoud Khalil and for all of us.

ACLU @aclu.org · Apr 11

BREAKING: An immigration court determined our client Mahmoud Khalil to be removable from the U.S. based solely on his political speech.

The fight isn't over — we'll keep fighting for Mahmoud's freedom and all of our First Amendment rights in federal court.

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Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley @pressley.house.gov · Apr 3

🚨UPDATE: Rümeysa Öztürk has now suffered three separate asthma attacks while in DHS custody.

She has not received her required asthma medications—a violation of her fundamental right to medical care.

This is cruelty, it is neglect, and it is a damning moral and legal failure.

Pressley, Warren, Markey Sound Alarm on Rümeysa Öztürk’s Medical Neglect, Renew Urgent Calls for Her Release (1/2):

“It is unconscionable that Rümeysa Öztürk—a young woman pursuing her education, exercising her First Amendment rights, and contributing to her community—remains detained by DHS. Her ongoing incarceration is not only a blatant violation of her constitutional rights to due process and free speech, but it is now an egregious denial of her fundamental right to medical care.

Pressley, Warren, Markey Sound Alarm on Rümeysa Öztürk’s Medical Neglect, Renew Urgent Calls for Her Release (2/2):

“According to her lawyer, Rümeysa has not received her required asthma medications and has now suffered three separate asthma attacks while in custody. This is cruelty, it is neglect, and it is a damning moral and legal failure.

“As her representatives in Congress, we demand DHS immediately provide Rümeysa with access to the health care she needs, and absent compelling evidence justifying her detention and the revocation of her status, we call for Ozturk’s release and the restoration of her visa. Every minute she remains in custody is another minute her health and rights are at risk, and DHS must move with urgency.”

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Iron Spike @ironspike.bsky.social · Apr 3

Consequences? For MY actions???? etc. etc.

Shani 🫧 @blerdmommy.blacksky.app · Apr 3

Alt text

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John Washington @jwashing.bsky.social · Apr 2

🚨 Scoop: At least 8 students at Arizona State University have had their student visas revoked in recent days.

Meanwhile University of Arizona advises international students to carry copies of passports/visas at all times.
azluminaria.org/2025/04/02/e...

Eight international students at ASU have had their visas revoked - AZ Luminaria

Eight international students at Arizona State University have had their visas revoked amid the Trump administration’s mass deportation efforts and a crackdown on students expressing their political views. An ASU spokesperson confirmed Wednesday in an email to Arizona Luminaria that the students’ visas were revoked recently — in the first two days of April and […]

azluminaria.org

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Mai El-Sadany @maitelsadany.bsky.social · Mar 29

As universities increasingly make decisions that make their students less safe and that compromise academic freedom, I hope their alumni remember that they can do something about it -- through their voices, their actions, and their wallets.

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