Robert Kelchen
@robertkelchen.com
Professor & department head, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. I study higher ed finance, accountability, and financial aid. Washington Monthly rankings data editor. Dad, gardener, and baker. Personal account.
https://robertkelchen.com/
https://robertkelchen.com/
It probably depends on how you count systems.
January 11, 2026 at 2:20 AM
It probably depends on how you count systems.
The fourth down exception is bizarre, especially once there was already a first down.
January 11, 2026 at 2:18 AM
The fourth down exception is bizarre, especially once there was already a first down.
So the world can appreciate better sports butts?
January 10, 2026 at 6:49 PM
So the world can appreciate better sports butts?
Every time I see football on Fox, I'm reminded that Terry Bradshaw once bared his behind in a movie.
January 10, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Every time I see football on Fox, I'm reminded that Terry Bradshaw once bared his behind in a movie.
It's compared to regional or state averages.
January 9, 2026 at 11:27 PM
It's compared to regional or state averages.
I want to read the final language before saying anything on the Pell side. I have been focusing on loans.
January 9, 2026 at 11:22 PM
I want to read the final language before saying anything on the Pell side. I have been focusing on loans.
ED got to do whatever they want if consensus isn't reached. I think negotiators realized that and were able to make a few modest changes when ED has all the leverage.
January 9, 2026 at 10:57 PM
ED got to do whatever they want if consensus isn't reached. I think negotiators realized that and were able to make a few modest changes when ED has all the leverage.
Reposted by Robert Kelchen
Here's the 10 Masters degrees with the highest number of programs expected to fail (using @robertkelchen.com's great spreadsheet here).
January 9, 2026 at 10:55 PM
Here's the 10 Masters degrees with the highest number of programs expected to fail (using @robertkelchen.com's great spreadsheet here).
Reposted by Robert Kelchen
This is pretty wild: Health care & social assistance accounted for essentially ALL of private-sector job growth in 2025 (713k out of the 733k private-sector job gains).
January 9, 2026 at 3:02 PM
This is pretty wild: Health care & social assistance accounted for essentially ALL of private-sector job growth in 2025 (713k out of the 733k private-sector job gains).
If it's thoughtfully done, I think that post-tenure review strengthens tenure. But it can also be used as a wrecking ball.
January 9, 2026 at 1:37 PM
If it's thoughtfully done, I think that post-tenure review strengthens tenure. But it can also be used as a wrecking ball.
That's good to know. Thanks!
January 9, 2026 at 12:03 PM
That's good to know. Thanks!
With that being said, I think wise post-tenure review is crucial (and I'm glad to have it at Tennessee). But it needs to look at a longer body of work and involve shared governance. This one doesn't do that.
January 9, 2026 at 10:37 AM
With that being said, I think wise post-tenure review is crucial (and I'm glad to have it at Tennessee). But it needs to look at a longer body of work and involve shared governance. This one doesn't do that.
Sometimes faculty have one bad year if a research project fails, and we should be encouraging tenured faculty to take reasonable risks to advance the field. This would take away from major advances to knowledge as people play it super safe.
January 9, 2026 at 10:33 AM
Sometimes faculty have one bad year if a research project fails, and we should be encouraging tenured faculty to take reasonable risks to advance the field. This would take away from major advances to knowledge as people play it super safe.
This is outstanding reporting!
January 9, 2026 at 1:33 AM
This is outstanding reporting!
100 percent agree. I jam knees into recliners' seats so I can work.
January 8, 2026 at 11:31 PM
100 percent agree. I jam knees into recliners' seats so I can work.
I haven't worked with the staff or enrollment data yet. Finance looks good.
January 8, 2026 at 7:48 PM
I haven't worked with the staff or enrollment data yet. Finance looks good.
And figuring out the inevitable weird data hiccups together!
January 8, 2026 at 5:34 PM
And figuring out the inevitable weird data hiccups together!