Higher Education

Hundreds of U.S. colleges and universities are under severe financial strain, despite public focus on elite institutions. A national survey reveals that perceptions of higher education are skewed toward liberal bias and activism, overlooking prosaic challenges like rising costs and declining enrollment. This distortion obscures the sector's underlying vulnerabilities.

January 30, 2026 Reported by AI

Documents reveal that discussions about replacing Columbia College's Claim Jumpers mascot have been ongoing for at least four years, driven by concerns over its ties to gold rush-era colonialism and cultural insensitivity. Interim President Chad Redwing has voiced support for the change, though he frames a recent survey as addressing low merchandise sales and school spirit. A workgroup is now reviewing survey responses to select a new symbol aligned with the college's core values.

The government's Viksit Bharat Shiksha Adhishthan Bill proposes a unified regulatory commission with three councils to guide universities toward independence and self-governance, emphasizing excellence through accreditation and autonomy, in line with National Education Policy 2020.

December 12, 2025 Reported by AI

Jawaharlal Nehru University's teachers' association has accused the vice-chancellor of advancing a plan to hand over the Gomti Guest House to the Indian Council of World Affairs under the Ministry of External Affairs amid financial difficulties. The administration has denied the charges, noting that a committee is examining optimal use of resources. The issue arises as the university seeks new revenue without raising fees.

Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University approved on Monday an increase in registration fees for some non-EU students, despite strong opposition. Adopted under budget constraints, the measure exempts exiled students and those from the least developed countries. Teachers and students denounce it as discriminatory and unrealistic.

November 29, 2025 Reported by AI Fact checked

Northwestern University has agreed to pay $75 million to the U.S. government under a settlement with the Trump administration that will restore access to hundreds of millions of dollars in frozen federal funding. The agreement resolves federal investigations, including probes into the university’s handling of antisemitism on campus, and requires new policy and training measures while the school admits no wrongdoing.