Academe Today

Faculty

A Professor Called Out a Student by Name on His Blog. Should That Cost Him His Job?

The Wisconsin Supreme Court is expected to rule on Friday in McAdams v. Marquette University — a case that is either about academic freedom or basic professionalism, depending on whom you ask.

Special Reports

Professors and Free Speech

Some professors nowadays fear for their jobs or their safety on account of their views at a time of high partisan tensions. Here are the stories of several professors in the cross hairs, and how their colleges responded.

Legal

How Independent Are Those ‘Independent’ Investigations Into Campus Sexual-Assault Scandals?

Renewed criticism of a 2016 inquiry at Baylor University has raised questions about the law firms colleges call in for help. Some critics say the lawyers have incentives to serve the college, not expose its failings.

Teaching

When Your Course Suddenly Needs an Overhaul

News events and new discoveries can push professors to rethink their syllabi.    

Reality

What’s Obvious to Academics but Not to the Public? Scholars Are Happy to Say

A Twitter user provided the prompt: “What’s something that seems obvious within your profession, but the general public seems to misunderstand?” And professors responded.

In the Hot Seat

Higher Education’s Biggest Moral Failure? And 4 Other Questions for Indiana U.’s President

For our new series, “In the Hot Seat,” Michael A. McRobbie of Indiana University offers five answers.

Leadership Insights: Innovation

Our latest booklet aims to help college leaders build a culture of innovation on their campuses. It includes examples of how colleges are developing and implementing new approaches; tips on what it takes to be an innovative president; and ways to look for ideas outside of higher ed. Buy your copy in the new Chronicle Store.

Commentary

How Concerns About ‘Undermatching’ Perpetuate Higher Ed’s Caste System

The idea that high-achieving, low-income students would be better off attending elite universities does a disservice to the colleges that educate most of the nation’s disadvantaged students.

Lingua Franca

Messages by the Numbers

Lucy Ferriss traces the rise of 420-friendly and other expressions with numbers — including, lately, the sinister 1488. What trends have you spotted?