Academe Today

Admissions

At Harvard Trial, a Dissection of Student Applications and Some Testy Exchanges

Admissions officials defended their process in the fourth day of a trial in which the university has been accused of discriminating against Asian-American applicants.

Admissions

3 Takeaways From Harvard’s Alumni Interview Handbook

The document, made public in a lawsuit challenging the university’s race-conscious admissions process, suggests that interviewers steer clear of questions about test scores.

Teaching

Why One Science Professor Has Students Write a Children’s Book

A biologist lets students in his upper-level courses choose to write a book explaining complex concepts to kids instead of taking a final exam.

The Chronicle Interview

How This Sociologist’s Research Persuaded a State to Abolish the Death Penalty

After years of debate, a state supreme court’s ruling gave “great weight” to Katherine Beckett’s analysis of race in criminal justice.

Students

What Happened After 2 Colleges Banned Hard Liquor at Fraternities

Last month the North-American Interfraternity Conference called for such a ban at all its member chapters. Here’s how such a policy has worked at Mizzou and Purdue.

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.

Advice

So Your Ph.D. Program Is Not Going ‘As Planned’?

You’re not alone: For most doctoral students, the graduate-school experience rarely goes as expected.

Lingua Franca

2018, in a Word. But What Word?

Allan Metcalf contemplates candidates for 2018’s Word of the Year (or phrase, as in some years). “Shouting head,” anyone? “Tweetstorm”?