Academe Today

Leadership & Governance

Michigan State Chief Said Abuse Victim Would Get ‘Kickback’ for Stirring Up Survivors, Emails Show

In private, John Engler seethed with the thought that victims of sexual abuse were being manipulated by trial lawyers.

In Case You Missed It

How Did Michigan State’s Interim Chief Squander a Chance to Heal?

John Engler’s blundering three months in office have inexplicably positioned the former governor as an adversary of the women who survived Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse.

Distance Education

What Do Online Students Want? 3 Findings From a New Survey Offer Some Clues

For one thing, they’d like to be able to take classes via their phones.

Students

Many States Get Mediocre Grades in 2 Studies of Degree Attainment by Race and Ethnicity

A state-by-state analysis by the Education Trust finds not a lot to brag about in how black and Latino adults have fared in comparison to their white peers.

Sexual Harassment

A Student’s Online Advances to Women Went Viral. Now His College Is Investigating Him.

After a woman tweeted a screen shot of the student’s digital overture, other women said they’d received similar messages. The University of Iowa says it “takes these allegations seriously and is working to learn more.”

Teaching

Instructor Faces Backlash After She Belittles Student on Class Forum

The lecturer, at the University of California at San Diego, also revealed the student’s academic standing in an online forum that was visible to everyone in her course.

Idea Lab: Academic Overhauls

Revamping a curriculum or academic program is never easy. All too often traditions must be upended and entrenched practices challenged. The Chronicle’s editors have curated this collection of articles and essays to help you find success when making these big changes.

The Chronicle Review

How the University Became Neoliberal

The crises of late capitalism aren’t coming from outside academe: The caller is inside the house.

Lingua Franca

Another Conquest by the Language That Is Eating the World

In the Netherlands, colleges are expanding their enrollments by offering courses in English, says Geoff Pullum.