US Department of Education declares Title IX does not apply to LGBTQ discrimination
INSIDE HIGHER ED — The United States Department of Education’s Office of the General Counsel published a memorandum on Friday that states that LGBTQ students are not expressly included in protections under Title IX, the law that prohibits sex discrimination at federally funded institutions.
Read More about US Department of Education declares Title IX does not apply to LGBTQ discriminationFlorida colleges host virtual fall graduation ceremonies
TALLAHASSEE DEMOCRAT — Graduation 2020 is here, and in Tallahassee three higher education ceremonies are being held – without the benefit of venues filled with guests. Whether this weekend’s ceremonies are the last for the virtual setting remains up in the air.
Read More about Florida colleges host virtual fall graduation ceremoniesPandemic leads to decline in college enrollment
NPR — According to new data from the National Student Clearinghouse, undergraduate enrollment this fall declined by 3.6% from the fall of 2019. Most of that decline occurred at community colleges, where enrollment fell by more than 10%, or more than 544,000 students.
Read More about Pandemic leads to decline in college enrollmentColleges reflect on COVID-19 containment strategies
INSIDE HIGHER ED — Sewanee in Tennessee credits its relatively low case numbers to weekly required COVID testing for the approximately 1,600 students on campus combined with a “bubble” approach that largely prohibited students from leaving campus except for essential activities such as medical appointments.
Read More about Colleges reflect on COVID-19 containment strategiesSurvey measures student satisfaction with college classes during the pandemic
INSIDE HIGHER ED — Students who learned entirely online during the fall semester said they received a slightly poorer quality of education than those who had in-person instruction, according to a new poll released Tuesday. Dissatisfaction was highest among students whom the pandemic “forced online.”
Read More about Survey measures student satisfaction with college classes during the pandemicCommunity colleges experienced a sharp decline in fall enrollment
INSIDE HIGHER ED — Community college enrollment saw the sharpest declines, and freshman enrollment is down 13.1 percent. Community college enrollment is down 10.1 percent. Public colleges over all lost 4 percent of their enrollment, a concerning fact given public institutions enroll seven out of 10 students.
Read More about Community colleges experienced a sharp decline in fall enrollmentColleges request federal aid amid pandemic-driven economic declines
INSIDE HIGHER ED — At stake as negotiations in Congress over passing another coronavirus aid package remain stalled is whether more emergency grants are coming to students. Perhaps the most immediate need before Congress, say financial aid administrators, is more money for emergency grants to give out to struggling students.
Read More about Colleges request federal aid amid pandemic-driven economic declinesCongress considers bill to include student loan debt in bankruptcy reform
CBS NEWS — Student loan borrowers crushed by five- and six-figure balances could have their payments forgiven under a bill introduced by federal lawmakers this week that would expand the nation’s bankruptcy laws. If passed, the Consumer Bankruptcy Reform Act of 2020 would create a new Chapter 10 provision in the U.S. bankruptcy code.
Read More about Congress considers bill to include student loan debt in bankruptcy reformProjections of future high school graduates could lead to college enrollment declines
INSIDE HIGHER ED — Higher education will soon face shrinking cohorts of traditional-aged students, whose enrollment has long been key to making budgets balance. The sector may not be able to kick the can down the road and avoid fixing its creaky business model much longer.
Read More about Projections of future high school graduates could lead to college enrollment declinesHigh school graduation rates set to peak in 2025
INSIDE HIGHER ED — High school graduates are on track to peak in number across the country at 3.93 million with the Class of 2025, according to projections released Tuesday by the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education. That’s about 4 percent above the 3.77 million high school graduates in the Class of 2019.
Read More about High school graduation rates set to peak in 2025