Academe Today

Regional Publics

Can Closing a Humanities College Save a University?

Facing a budget squeeze, the University of Central Missouri fast-tracks a vote on folding several departments into existing colleges. Faculty members worry that the academic mission will suffer.

Leadership

A Victim of Larry Nassar Says Michigan State’s Interim President Pressured Her to Accept a Cash Payoff

The president, John Engler, denies the claim, made in a Friday board meeting. But the episode could bring even more scrutiny upon Engler, who has made several public missteps since his appointment, in January.

Academic Integrity

Hobart and William Smith President Resigns Following Plagiarism Allegations

Gregory J. Vincent quit just weeks after The Chronicle first reported that he had appeared to plagiarize parts of his dissertation at the University of Pennsylvania. 

Research

Facebook Says It Will Help Academics Use Its Data. Here’s How That’s Supposed to Work.

Two professors propose a model for industry-academic partnerships that will allow scholars to explore a question: What impact has social media had on democracy?

Getting the Degree

How Are Black Colleges Doing? Better Than You Think, Study Finds

New research finds that black students are more likely to graduate within six years at historically black colleges than at predominantly white ones.

Finance

Southern Illinois Shelves Plan to Transfer $5 Million From Flagship to Other Campus

The Edwardsville campus, which is growing, lost its shot for now at an additional $5.1 million in state funds. But Carbondale’s internal discord hasn’t inspired confidence.

Admissions

College Consultants’ Client Information Was Exposed on Web Servers

Names, email addresses, phone numbers, and other data belonging to consultants who used CollegePlannerPro from 2015 to 2017 were freely available to anyone on servers used by the software company.

Starter Kit: New to the Faculty

Are you an assistant professor new to the job? A department chair who wants to help freshmen on the faculty in their dizzying first year? Chronicle editors have compiled a collection of essays, by experienced professors, with advice for new faculty members. Buy your copy in the Chronicle store.

Commentary

Feeling Anxious? You’re Not the Only One

Students and faculty members should push back against a culture that encourages them to never slow down.

Advice

We Must Help Students Master Standard English

Preparing undergraduates for life beyond college is arguably our greatest responsibility — and perhaps our biggest failure.

Lingua Franca

Why Is Everyone Saying ‘This President’?

For both political sides, says Ben Yagoda, the phrase subtly implies that the leader in question is wholly unlike any of his predecessors, a stand against which it’s hard to argue.