Academe Today

Leadership

Margaret Spellings Is Reportedly Resigning as U. of North Carolina President

The university’s board will meet on Friday in an emergency session to consider an “executive personnel matter.” Spellings, a former U.S. education secretary, has led the system for nearly three years.

Admissions

The Lawsuit Against Harvard Admissions Turns Into a Courtroom Battle of Economists

A scholar hired by the group that sued Harvard, claiming it discriminates against Asian-American applicants, testified at the trial on Thursday. The university’s economist disputes his findings.

Admissions

The Case Against Harvard Relies on This Analysis. But the University Says It’s Deeply Flawed.

An economist and expert for Students for Fair Admissions put together a report that says Harvard’s admissions process discriminates against Asian-American applicants. An expert for Harvard says it’s not that simple.

Troubled Partnerships

After the Killing of a Journalist, Colleges Confront Their Saudi Ties

It’s not unusual for American colleges to receive millions in gifts from Saudi Arabia. But some, like an elite entrepreneurship college in Massachusetts, have spun deeper partnerships that are harder to unwind.

Faculty

Arizona State U. Physicist Offers Lengthy Rebuttal to Sexual-Misconduct Accusations

Despite agreeing this week to retire at the end of the academic year, Lawrence Krauss, a world-renowned scientist, defended his actions in a 51-page document.

Teaching

How One Teaching Center Supports Adjunct Instructors

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte offers part-time faculty members a learning community as one way to reduce feelings of isolation.  

Idea Lab: Student Wellness

Colleges want students to make healthy choices and avoid risky behaviors. But the potential pitfalls for undergraduates are great: alcohol abuse, excessive partying, and a Greek culture that sometimes promotes dangerous behavior. This collection of articles outlines how leading institutions are making headway. Buy this Idea Lab collection today to help your students be healthier and safer.

Special Reports

Here’s What Today’s Students Want From College

Institutions that use online survey data to group students into segments can personalize campus services and put themselves on stronger financial footing.

Advice

Academic Ethics: Should Scholars Avoid Citing the Work of Awful People?

You risk betraying your discipline and academic freedom by refusing to cite the scholarship of sexual harassers and other problematic academics.

Lingua Franca

Why Are Students Writing ‘Majority’ When They Mean ‘Most’?

How do students, and the rest of us, indicate the largest part of a group? Bill Germano digs into student papers in search of an answer.