Higher Ed
Biden student debt relief plan revoked in U.S. House vote
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House on Wednesday voted to overturn the Biden administration’s one-time student debt relief plan that is currently on hold awaiting a Supreme Court decision expected within weeks. Before the 218-203 vote on the resolution, the White House said President Joe Biden would veto it, arguing that the U.S. Department of Education […]
Dean shares more details as controversial new school proceeds at UNC-Chapel Hill
Now that the academic year has ended, UNC-Chapel Hill leaders are sharing more information about the new and controversial School of Civic Life and Leadership with faculty who thus far, have questioned and opposed its creation. This includes additional details about the school’s creation, the hiring of faculty, and the formation of a curriculum. In a […]
State lawmaker was angered by colleague’s racist comments, but chose to forgive
A white, Republican colleague’s question about whether Rep. Abe Jones was admitted to Harvard University in 1970 because he was a minority and a track athlete was only the second time the Wake County Democrat had experienced such an encounter. The first incident occurred several years ago during a party at UNC Chapel Hill when […]
Architect of bill mandating history and civics course surprised by resistance
When House Bill 96 was filed back in February, it didn’t initially get a lot of attention. In a legislative season when higher education related-bills proposed the elimination of academic tenure, massive changes to the of the powers of political appointees, and how state universities and colleges are accredited, a bill mandating one 3-credit hour […]
Senate budget would cut funding to UNC Law School, School of Government, fund controversial new school
Two prominent schools at UNC-Chapel Hill would have their funding cut by millions while a controversial new school would be created and funded under the proposed Senate version of the state budget. The budget proposal, released Monday, includes a $2.5 million cut to both the UNC School of Law and UNC School of Government in […]
Bill would mandate history course, prescribe curriculum at UNC universities, community colleges
Should students at UNC System Schools and community colleges be required to take a course on history and government, irrespective of their majors? Should lawmakers be able to prescribe the curriculum for such a course, rather than campus leaders and faculty? Those are a couple of the thorny questions sparked by House Bill 96, one […]
What’s behind the Republican attack on accreditation?
If you were going to spend thousands of dollars seeking a college degree, you’d want to be sure to get your money’s worth: knowledge vetted by subject-matter experts; teachers who use the best practices to promote student growth; and a range of experiences that help you discover and develop your potentials. You’d want to avoid […]
Higher ed experts: “Harm can come to our students” in changing accreditation process
A bill that would compel UNC System universities and community colleges to change accreditors flew under the radar in the recent flurry of higher education legislation at the General Assembly. But as Senate Bill 680 clears legislative hurdles on the way to becoming law, the public should pay attention to the “in the weeds” issue […]
Education experts to discuss controversies surrounding university accreditation
When the crossover deadline passed at the North Carolina General Assembly last week, some of the most controversial higher education-related bills filed this legislative session hadn’t yet passed from one chamber to the other, taking them off of the conventional path to becoming law. But Senate Bill 680, which would dramatically change the way universities […]
Monday numbers: the continuing student suicide crisis at NC State
Last week, students at North Carolina State University concluding their first week of finals learned of terrible news: two apparent student suicides. “This is heartbreaking,” Chancellor Randy Woodson wrote in a community message Thursday. “And I know there’s little I can say to console the deep hurt or heal the immense grief felt by the […]
As GOP lawmakers target university tenure, faculty and campus leaders sound the alarm
As the legislative session picks up pace in Raleigh this month, UNC System faculty members, students, alumni and even chancellors are pushing back against a slate of bills they say would fundamentally alter higher education in North Carolina, with potentially disastrous results for the system and the state. The ambitious package of legislation would, among other […]
Pence walks political line in UNC-Chapel Hill speech
A little over a half-hour into former Vice President Mike Pence’s talk at UNC-Chapel Hill Wednesday evening, the only real interruption came. “Trump trusted you!” a man heckled from the crowd of just over 500 in the Great Hall of the campus student union. “You betrayed Trump!” As security ejected the man and the crowd […]