Michael T. Nietzel

A federal judge's order has led the U.S. Education Department to temporarily expand its list of "professional programs," allowing graduate students in fields like nursing and occupational therapy to access higher federal loan limits. This replaces the department's initial, more restrictive rule, which would have capped loans at lower levels for students in these healthcare programs. Despite the temporary expansion, the ED maintains its original definitions are lawful and plans to continue litigation. Compounding the confusion, the department advised universities that they could still limit loan amounts using the lower graduate caps, creating the potential for inconsistent funding for students in identical programs.

This fall, colleges nationwide are using common reader programs to spark campus-wide dialogue on diverse, pressing issues. These initiatives, a rite of passage at many institutions, assign a shared book to engage students and faculty in critical conversations, though some selections can prove controversial. This year's choices span a wide array of contemporary themes: Northwestern picked George Saunders' *Vigil* for its environmental commentary, while Princeton's *Reader, Come Home* addresses digital reading in the AI era. Duke selected *Never Caught* to explore historical narratives of slavery, and Cal Poly Pomona chose *Solito*, an immigration memoir. Other universities are tackling public health, the Black college experience, and artificial intelligence, highlighting literature's power to foster critical thinking and connection.

Yale alumni group "Stand Up for Yale" has strongly urged the university to resist settling with the Trump administration over alleged racial discrimination in admissions. The Department of Justice accuses Yale of illegally favoring Black and Hispanic applicants, citing its interpretation of the 2023 Supreme Court ban on race-conscious admissions. Alumni contend the investigation is politically motivated and misrepresents the law, aiming to undermine Yale's commitment to diversity. They warn that a settlement would compromise academic independence, set a dangerous precedent for higher education, and demonstrate that appeasement fails. The group insists Yale must defend its lawful holistic admissions and educational leadership role.

A new interactive database, SOURCE, developed by Tao Tan at the American Enterprise Institute, offers unprecedented insight into private foundation giving to U.S. higher education. Tracking over one million grants totaling $90.7 billion from 2008-2025, SOURCE reveals significant funding patterns from IRS data. Key findings show high concentration: 165 foundations provided half the money, and just 54 institutions received half. The Gates Foundation led with $9.1 billion, while Harvard, Stanford, and Johns Hopkins were top recipients, intensifying the prestige hierarchy. Large foundations prioritize research, STEM, and capital projects, whereas smaller ones focus on financial aid and general support. Funders also employ "spreader" or "concentrator" strategies. SOURCE provides crucial transparency into how private philanthropy shapes higher education.

Kevin Guskiewicz will remain Michigan State University's president, after telling Clemson, which had selected him to be its next president, he wanted to remain at MSU.

American universities face a severe crisis of academic freedom and institutional autonomy, with state laws and internal policies increasingly dictating curriculum and undermining faculty governance. The Academic Freedom Index reports a 50% decline in autonomy since 2015, exacerbated by numerous state-level censorship laws affecting over half of US college students. Traditional oversight from accrediting agencies is faltering, necessitating new approaches. Potential solutions include the AAUP more aggressively censuring institutions, the AAU leveraging its prestige through sanctions, private foundations conditioning grants on academic freedom, and college ranking systems incorporating academic environment metrics. These collective actions are crucial to safeguard scholarly inquiry and faculty independence against political interference.

Clemson University has swiftly appointed University of Georgia Provost Benjamin Ayers as its new president, following the unexpected withdrawal of its initial choice, Michigan State President Kevin Guskiewicz. Guskiewicz, who was slated to become Clemson's 16th president, cited personal reasons for his abrupt decision to remain at MSU. His controversial about-face came after criticizing MSU's Board of Trustees' governance and securing a new contract with a significant raise and perks. Clemson's Board of Trustees unanimously voted for Ayers, who will commence his five-year term on August 1. Ayers previously served as UGA's senior vice president for academic affairs and provost. Guskiewicz's return to MSU has also faced scrutiny, with reports indicating not all MSU board members were aware of his new contract details.

U.S. universities are grappling with significant financial challenges, leading to widespread cost-cutting measures. Louisiana State University recently terminated 25 employees, including high-ranking officials, to save $3.7 million and redirect funds towards faculty and research. UCLA also laid off 27 digital and tech staff amid a projected $220 million deficit, sparking union concerns over contract adherence. Rutgers University implemented a university-wide hiring freeze as a "prudent measure" to manage its $6.2 billion operating budget. Meanwhile, the University of Texas at Tyler, despite enrollment growth, is offering buyouts to a quarter of its workforce to address a $12 million deficit. These institutions join others like Temple, Johns Hopkins, and Syracuse in facing staff reductions, budget shortfalls, or hiring freezes due to various financial pressures.

The University of Chicago Law School is rolling out a new AI policy this fall, designed to foster critical legal thinking in an AI-driven world. To prevent over-reliance on technology, core first-year courses will pilot a ban on electronic devices, compelling students to develop foundational reasoning skills without AI shortcuts. This strategy aims to cultivate essential human attributes like oral advocacy and judgment. Later in the curriculum, students will learn to ethically and effectively integrate AI into advanced legal research, writing, and clinical practice. UChicago's approach, which contrasts with a stricter AI policy at UC Berkeley, seeks to prepare graduates for a dynamic legal profession by teaching them to think "with, without, and about AI."

American confidence in higher education has declined, with a new Gallup-Lumina Foundation survey showing only 38% of Americans expressing high confidence, down from 42% last year and 57% in 2015. While Republicans have shown the steepest long-term decline, Democrats experienced the largest recent drop, falling from 61% to 50%. The main reasons for skepticism include perceived political agendas (31%), high costs (30%), and inadequate workforce preparation (25%). Those with confidence cite critical thinking development and improved job opportunities as reasons for their view. A new factor is AI, with 46% of Americans believing it will make college degrees less important, posing a significant challenge for institutions to address public doubts about higher education's future value.