Executive order looks to examine racial bias in education policy
INSIDE HIGHER ED — For years, researchers and higher education advocates have been frustrated by the lack of good Education Department data on how students of color and those with lower incomes are being let down by the nation’s higher education system. “It’s hard to solve racial equity problems if you can’t see them,” said Clare McCann.
Read More about Executive order looks to examine racial bias in education policyColleges address vaccine skepticism in their communities
INSIDE HIGHER ED — “There’s a fair amount of vaccine hesitancy out there, particularly among brown and Black communities,” said Alcendor, who is Black. Academic medical institutions and public health schools, including minority-serving institutions like Meharry, are taking leading roles in confronting vaccine hesitancy in minority communities.
Read More about Colleges address vaccine skepticism in their communitiesInternational student enrollment continues to fall amid pandemic
THE MINNESOTA DAILY — Before the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of undergraduate international first-year students at the University of Minnesota was on the rise, with overall international student enrollment remaining steady. Between 2018 and 2019, the number of first-year international students at the University increased by 52%.
Read More about International student enrollment continues to fall amid pandemicA look at the effects of the pandemic on student well-being
INSIDE HIGHER ED — Winter break and the start of next term are fast approaching. At this point, most colleges that have announced their plans for the spring are intending to continue their modality and residence choices from the fall. Many have brought students back to campus but are continuing most instruction online.
Read More about A look at the effects of the pandemic on student well-beingJustice Department withdraws affirmative action lawsuit against Yale University
INSIDE HIGHER ED — The Justice Department on Wednesday withdrew a lawsuit it filed in October charging that Yale University discriminates against Asian and white applicants. The suit was one of several in the courts on the issue of affirmative action. The Yale case was brought by the Justice Department, not a private group.
Read More about Justice Department withdraws affirmative action lawsuit against Yale UniversityNew book explores gender bias in higher education
INSIDE HIGHER ED — Why do faculty women still face bias and an unwelcome reception in so much of higher education? What can institutions do about it? These are the questions that frame “Building Gender Equity in the Academy: Institutional Strategies for Change.” The authors are Sandra Laursen and Ann E. Austin.
Read More about New book explores gender bias in higher educationFederal judge upholds foreign student work program
INSIDE HIGHER ED — A U.S. District Court judge issued an opinion last week upholding a program important to many in higher education that allows international students to stay and work in the U.S. after they graduate in a field related to their area of study. Nearly a quarter million people participate in the optional practical training program.
Read More about Federal judge upholds foreign student work programSome colleges embrace online classes as an alternative to weather cancelations
INSIDE HIGHER ED — Before the pandemic, Tuesday would have been a traditional snow day with no classes for any students. This year, class schedules weren’t disrupted. In many cases, a COVID-19-induced pivot to online learning last spring paved the way for colleges and universities large and small to eliminate or curtail snow days.
Read More about Some colleges embrace online classes as an alternative to weather cancelationsColumbia Law professor Suzanne Goldberg appointed to US Department of Education civil rights post
INSIDE HIGHER ED — When the Biden administration appointed Suzanne Goldberg, a Columbia University law professor and top university administrator, to oversee civil rights at the U.S. Department of Education last week, some civil rights advocates believed it signaled a new era of federal protections for LGBTQ students and a revival of policies.
Read More about Columbia Law professor Suzanne Goldberg appointed to US Department of Education civil rights postCalifornia Supreme Court Justice Goodwin H. Liu speaks at University of Houston Law on law school enrollment trends
UNIVERSITY OF HOUSTON LAW CENTER — Associate Justice Goodwin H. Liu of the California Supreme Court delivered the Justice Ruby Kless Sondock Jurist-in-Residence Lectureship in Legal on Tuesday, discussing shifts in law school population, and how the profession could look much different in years to come.
Read More about California Supreme Court Justice Goodwin H. Liu speaks at University of Houston Law on law school enrollment trends