Total Campus Report - Efficient & valuable curated higher ed developments delivered once per week. |
| |
|
In an exclusive interview, Ohio State President Johnson discusses her abrupt departure from the university following an annual review conducted by an outside consultant that raised concerns of a hostile work environment and dishonesty in Johnson’s interactions with the Board of Trustees. Throughout the Q&A, Johnson refuted questions about pressure to resign, noting that it was a “personal decision” to step down and reporting that she does not have another job lined up when her tenure ends in six months. Regarding her management style, Johnson says: “Those statements [from those describing her as demanding and verbally abusive] don't reflect my working relationship with either my cabinet, my staff, my faculty, and my students. I describe my management style as is one of caring, compassion, focus, strong work ethic. I'm a coach, conductor. And I think we've accomplished an awful lot together ... and our record speaks for itself.” Johnson also noted she felt supported by the board throughout her tenure and enjoyed a “great working relationship” with trustees. Johnson: "This has been a tremendous honor. And Veronica, and I really enjoyed being here. I think I would say, you know, we love you. We think this university is on fire. And I can't wait to see what it does next. And it's sad. No, I’m not going to be a part of it. But I'll always be part of it." More. (link)
|
SBJ’s Smith reports the NCAA has narrowed its search for a new president with the expectation an offer is made before Christmas. Smith: “...the preferred candidates are a mix of execs from inside and outside college athletics and higher education.” (link); SEC Commissioner Sankey joined D1.ticker/Connect’s Fischer from SBJ IAF to talk, among other topics, the next NCAA president, whom he would encourage to narrow down the job description from six pages to some strategic priorities. “Really what I’m interested in is hearing a vision communicated and then the strategic priorities that inform that vision, and then the ability to draw people in. … I would encourage them to ask a lot of questions, to build relationships, to not just react to pressure points that exist but to identify the real priorities that need to be addressed.” The full interview is now live on Connect. (link)
|
The University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents approved the system’s 2023-2028 Strategic Plan. President Rothman: “The plan before you is premised on the fact that the status quo is not sustainable. The UW System is positioned and has the responsibility to the people of Wisconsin to address some challenging issues. [...] We have not set targets that are slam dunks. Nor are there necessarily clearly defined pathways to reaching all of our targeted levels; rather, we have challenged ourselves to attain goals that will require substantial effort on our part and will require us to be innovative and creative.” (link)
|
|
|
Presidents & Chancellors in the News |
| |
Colorado Chancellor DiStefano, Arizona President Robbins, Ohio State President Johnson and Minnesota President Gabel headlined Day 1 of the Right Here, Right Now Global Climate Summit, discussing current research and innovation on their respective campuses, how their institutions were creatively reducing their own carbon footprints and how they’re serving as catalysts for action in their local communities. DiStefano: “Although our universities share similar goals when it comes to climate, we’re all approaching the issue in slightly different ways and bringing different strengths to bear. We can harness that creativity and innovation from our respective campuses to develop new climate solutions and have a strong influence on upholding human rights in the process. .. We all know that higher education is about more than job preparation. It meets students at a critical time and place where they are discovering and homing in on their personal values. So we have a unique responsibility to help them develop empathy, unity, a sense of justice and compassion (for others). Those characteristics are also needed to sustain climate and democracy.” (link)
|
Arizona President Robbins established the Presidential Advisory Commission on the Future of Agriculture and Food Production in a Drying Climate, consisting of UA faculty and staff as well as internal and external experts and stakeholders. The commission will identify solutions to food and economic insecurity by conducting a comprehensive review of the resources that could support such efforts and summarizing threats of climate change to the state’s agricultural production systems. Robbins: "As a rapidly drying climate threatens food and agriculture systems around the globe, Arizona's agriculture industry will need innovative solutions to continue producing food and other goods year-round for the state and beyond. From leveraging transformative agricultural practices to enhanced data tools for rapid analysis of challenges and changes within agricultural and food production, research-based solutions will be critical. Our ability to be agile and resilient in the face of this challenge affects not only agricultural production and food security, but also the economic vitality of our rural communities." (link)
|
In a letter to the campus community, Arkansas Chancellor Robinson shared details of his “First 100 Days Plan,” which includes the goals of advancing student success, augmenting the research enterprise and establishing the university as an “employer of choice.” Immediate actions include filling interim appointments, commencing a strategic planning process, launching a fundraising campaign for student support efforts and growing tenure-track faculty. Robinson: “I cannot be an effective chancellor sitting in my office all day — nor would I want to do that. I get my energy and inspiration from being engaged with students, faculty and staff, and kicking off a listening town hall series seems like a good way to launch the spring semester.” (link)
|
Arkansas Chancellor Robinson discussed his plans to invest in need-based financial aid during a conversation with Roby Brock on “Talk Business & Politics:” “Non-Pell [eligible] students are graduating at 76% over six years, whereas Pell [eligible] students are graduating around 55% over six years. And for most of that difference, you can explain it tied to their ability to manage cost. So, if a student can’t afford college, they go to work. They work 20, 30, and sometimes 40 hours a week while taking classes. If we could build a fund to reduce the cost of those who are Pell-eligible to reduce their costs, we are likely to close that gap in that six-year graduation rate. And I think that that would be a noble endeavor for the land grant institution to be able to close that gap and say to our Pell-eligible students in this state that if you gain acceptance to the University of Arkansas, we will provide you with resources that greatly reduces your debt load, and then allows you to be more of a traditional student, finish up in four years [or] five years so that you’re not incurring greater debt.” (link)
|
Auburn President Roberts addressed concerns related to the hiring of FB HC Freeze, vowing to take “swift action” in the case of any power-based personal violence or abuse. In emails to supporters and alumni, Roberts shared safeguards currently in place, including a 24/7 crisis line, a bystander training program and free “Auburn Safety” app. Roberts: “It is never permissible to ignore instances of power-based personal violence or abuse. By every measurement, practice, and action Auburn University takes this very seriously and with our multi-level approach of education, prevention, policing, security and support, we keep Auburn safe. Our record is clear on that point.” (link)
|
In her end of the semester Campus Conversation, Cal Chancellor Christ highlighted the achievement of the university’s $6B fundraising goal via the “Light the Way” campaign; discussed an $8.6B need to address deferred maintenance needs and fund seismic retrofitting; offered her view on the UC-wide labor strike's impact on learning and emphasized commitment to an injunction-halted, 1,000-unit student housing project: "What we’re trying to do is increase the amount of campus-built and -managed housing for every element of our campus community. We can’t have much of an impact on the housing market, but what we can do is build more housing, which is what I’m trying to do." (link)
|
Colorado President DiStefano, upon the arrival of new FB HC Sanders, promises that the school’s stringent transfer policies will be updated to “give coach, and all of his student-athletes, the tools they need to succeed.” (link); Yahoo’s Wetzel says over 200 potential transfer student-athletes have already “made contact” with Sanders. Wetzel also gets this from an unnamed Pac-12 AC: “...half our roster would probably leave if Deion reached out to them.” (link)
|
University System of Georgia Chancellor Perdue spoke at Georgia’s Biennial Institute, a two-day training conference for newly-elected lawmakers, discussing the importance of restoring public confidence in higher education and his plans to create more online degree programs. Perdue: “People worry about cost, they worry about accountability, and they want to know if we’re a good return on investment. … While people may question the value of a four-year degree, the fact remains, it’s a million-dollar deal.” (link)
|
The Courier Journal details the track record of incoming Louisville President Schatzel’s tenure leading Towson, including a focus on entrepreneurship, partnerships and economic, geographic and racial diversity. Among her accomplishments include creation of the Degree to Succeed pipeline with the Community College of Baltimore, the construction of a 22K-sq. ft. Academic Commons and science center and the establishment of a “no achievement gap,” with Black students graduating at a rate higher than the university’s overall graduation rate. Lots more. (link)
|
An analysis of the 15 previous Ohio State presidents conducted by The Columbus Dispatch found each served an average of 8.8 years as compared to Johnson’s three: “When Johnson's 34-month presidency concludes in May, it will be Ohio State's shortest in 141 years. It's the second-shortest in university history, ahead of only president Walter Quincy Scott, who served from June 1881 to June 1883. Regardless of Johnson's accomplishments, her brief stay that followed such an expensive, five-month search process amounts to a "failed presidency,” [per George Mason academic expert Wilde]. Along with money, she said, Johnson's short stint in office also could cost Ohio State a bit of something that's more intangible — it's stature.” Lots more. (link)
|
The Oregon Board of Trustees approved the presidential profile to be used in the university’s search for its next president. The profile was developed based on feedback from 40 meetings and forums and calls for a leader who “will cultivate and nurture an environment that attracts and supports the highest quality, highest performing, and most diverse faculty, staff, and students to deliver on this mission of academic excellence, research, and public service.” (link)
|
In a letter to faculty, Stanford President Tessier-Lavigne addressed questions raised about the authenticity of research in scientific papers he co-authored, expressing his dedication to the “rigorous pursuit of the truth.” Tessier-Lavigne: “I want to be clear that I have never submitted a paper without firmly believing that the data were correct and accurately presented. I also want to be clear that I take responsibility for any concerns that arise with respect to any work with which I have been involved. I trust that a thorough examination will fully address the concerns that have been raised and will affirm my commitment to the highest standards of scientific integrity.” (link); the Stanford Board of Trustees has set up a website to transparently provide updated information on the examination of concerns with Tessier-Lavigne’s academic work: “Because the president of Stanford University reports to the Board of Trustees – which operates in service to the University – it is the Board that bears the fiduciary responsibility of overseeing a thorough and fair review of the questions that have arisen. In this circumstance, the Board is undertaking the review so that it will not be conducted by individuals who ultimately report to the president.” (link)
|
West Virginia officially introduced North Texas AD Baker as the Mountaineers’ new AD. President Gee explained in his remarks that “when we interviewed Wren, I can tell you that he fits every one of our criteria and, in addition to being an exceptionally – and I’m going to underline exceptionally – talented athletics director, he’s also a very positive person who easily connects and engages with everyone he meets. He understands the vision, he knows where we want to go, and I have no doubt that he’ll get us there.” Gee also explained that TurnkeyZRG presented multiple options, ranging from candidates from Power 5 schools to those outside of college athletics. (link)
|
|
|
Big 12 Commissioner Yormark continues to push a rebranded league during his time with the media in Arlington: “We want to be more diverse, more inclusive. We want to get younger and more contemporary. You’re starting to see that. If you look at social media, many of the student athletes that are participating in today’s game, have commented on some of the things we’ve done …I think our plan of modernizing and [contemporizing] and connecting to youth culture is the right strategy.” Yormark also says conversations with Gonzaga about joining the conference are ongoing & that the football title game will stay at AT&T Stadium. (link)
|
The National College Players Association is calling for UCLA & USC to turn back on plans to join the Big Ten in a letter to the University of California Regents. NCPA Executive Director Huma calls the decision a “short-sighted money grab,” and further, “The Regents should not let a handful of people sell the soul of the UCLA athletics program for TV dollars that will be spent on luxury boxes in stadiums and lavish salaries for a few.” (link)
|
Cal selected former U.S. Capitol Police Chief Pittman to lead the campus police department. (link) |
Colorado appointed Strategic Resources and Support Associate Vice Chancellor and Chief of Staff McDuffie as interim associate vice chancellor for enrollment management. A permanent hire is expected to be in place by Summer 2023. (link) |
Duke named interim Duke Kunshan Executive Vice Chancellor Luce as associate vice president for research & innovation in support of social and behavioral sciences, humanities and the arts, effective February 1, 2023. (link) |
The duties of Duke Executive Vice Provost Francis will be split among two administrators while she serves as interim provost following the departure of current Provost Kornbluth. Interim Trinity College of Arts & Sciences Dean Noor will serve as vice provost for academic affairs while retired Associate Vice Provost for Budget and Finance Oates will serve as vice provost for finance and administration. (link)
|
Iowa College of Engineering Dean Nembhard will leave the position to serve as president of Harvey Mudd College. (link) |
Kansas selected Associate Professor of Communication Studies and Institute for Leadership Studies Director Banwart as associate vice provost for faculty development, mentoring and growth. (link) |
Kansas State named University of Missouri System Chief Engagement Officer Stewart as its first senior vice president for executive affairs, university engagement and partnerships and chief of staff, effective January 23, 2023. (link) |
Nebraska named Chief of Staff and Associate to the Chancellor Zeleny as vice chancellor for business and finance, effective January 1, 2023 and pending approval by the Board of Regents. (link); Assistant Vice Chancellor for Global Affairs Davis will serve as Chief of Staff and Associate to the Chancellor. (link); Senior Director of Global Affairs and Director of Global Partnerships and Initiatives Stevens-Liska will succeed Davis as interim assistant vice chancellor for global affairs. (link)
|
NC State named UNC Wilmington Associate Vice Chancellor for Finance Harris as associate vice chancellor for finance and university treasurer. In the position, Harris will lead five departments within the Finance Division, including the Controller’s Office and Procurement & Business Services. (link) |
Oregon State launched its next strategic planning process for a roadmap succeeding its current 2019-2023 plan and set to begin in January 2024. The planning process, led by a steering committee of faculty, staff and students, will examine questions related to student success, promising areas of teaching and research, and OSU’s leadership in socioeconomic and health issues. (link)
|
Oregon State Vice President for University Relations and Marketing Clark will retire on July 1, 2023. (link) |
Virginia Tech promoted Assistant Vice Provost for the Humanities and Center for Humanities Founding Director Johnson to associate vice provost for public interest technology. (link) |
West Virginia selected Uniontown Hospital Chief Financial Officer Weiss to serve as senior associate vice president of finance. (link) |
Wisconsin appointed Office of Strategic Consulting Director of Strategic Initiatives Meyer as interim associate vice provost for strategic initiatives and Office of Strategic Consulting director, effective January 1, 2023. (link) |
|
|
Alabama’s $4M fundraising campaign to renovate Mary Hewell Alston Hall, home to the Culverhouse College of Business, kicked off with a $1.1M gift from alumnus Deshe, who also contributed $400K to scholarships for first-generation business students and $500K to the Bloom Hillel Student Center, for a total commitment of $2M. (link) |
Clemson announces the largest gift in IPTAY history and among the largest in school history. No word on the official amount from Jim and Candace Brown, but it will “support several areas of Clemson’s Athletic program, including football and basketball.” IPTAY has now surpassed its 2023 goal of $70M. (link) |
A team of Colorado campus and system CFOs and financial executives is working to determine the impact of recent market downturns on the systemwide strategic plan. System Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Marturano: “The substantial drop in market returns means we will have to slow down in some cases and reassess our plans in others. The bottom line is that we have less money to spend on accelerating the strategic plan than we were planning on a year ago.” CU President Saliman: “It’s important to note that the strategic plan articulates our priorities, and none of those have changed. What has changed is that the one-time market gains we were planning to put toward accelerating them have gone down significantly. This is disappointing, since the strategic plan priorities are critical to our future. That said, I expect us to continue to lean into these areas to make progress. Our resolve remains and our priorities have not changed.” (link)
|
Colorado FB HC Sanders’ deal: Five years, $29.5M total for an average of $5.9M/year, starts at $5.5M in year one with annual $200K bumps. Sanders owes $15M if he leaves in first year, $10M if he leaves in second, $8M in third and $5M thereafter. On the flipside, the Buffs owe him 75% of the remaining contract if he is fired without cause. Also has a $5M assistant coaches salary pool. For context, CU’s previous top pay for a FB HC was $3.6M to former leader Dorrell this past season, and the AC pool was $4M. Contract is still pending Board of Regents approval. (link)
|
Georgia Tech FB HC Key’s contract is for five years and $15M. Base salary starts at $2.8M, rises to $3.2M in 2027. Language includes that Key “will work with the director of athletics” on staff decisions. If fired without cause, he is owed 70% of the remaining deal before the end of 2024, 60% before the end of 2025 and 50% thereafter. Standard bonuses for 8+ regular season wins, and postseason opportunities. (link)
|
Kansas Professor Emeritus Taylor and his wife made a $1.4M gift to establish the Chip and Toni Taylor Professorship in support of Monarch Watch, the program Taylor founded in 1992 to tag and research monarchs. (link) |
New Louisville FB HC Brohm is set to earn $36M over his six year deal, with the ability to earn $42.5M over seven should he win seven games in any season or $49.5M over eight years should the Cards win 10 games in a season. Brohm’s assistant pool is $5.5M. Should he exit Derby City at any time, Brohm would owe $1M. If UofL parts with Brohm, he is owed the full remainder of his contract. Bonuses include $250K for an ACC title, $250K for making the CFP, $400K for a top 4 CFP seed and $750K for a national title. (link)
|
Michigan reports progress on its commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with its endowment, with “avoided emissions from U-M investments on track to exceed the total amount of greenhouse gasses produced by the Ann Arbor campus in 2023.” (link) |
Michigan FB HC Harbaugh officially tops $10M in comp this year, thanks to $2.05M in bonuses, $1.5M of which was earned last weekend ($1M for Big Ten Championship win, $500K for CFP semi appearance). He is one of five public school football coaches to reach the 8-digit income mark, though Alabama’s Saban, Clemson’s Swinney and Georgia’s Smart did so in base pay; LSU’s Kelly did so in bonuses. (link)
|
Minnesota and FB HC Fleck have agreed to a new seven-year, $42M deal. The new contract increases Fleck’s annual salary by $1M. Further details, including buyout figures, are expected to be available when the contract is presented to the Minnesota Board of Regents for final approval. (link, link)
|
The Nebraska Board of Regents voted to raise room and board rates by 3% for three academic years on four campuses. The increase will raise rates on the Lincoln campus from $12,644 for a double occupancy room in 2023-24 to $13,413 in the 2025-26 academic year. (link) |
The Papé family made a $2M gift to Oregon’s Knight Campus, establishing the Papé Family Innovation Center to foster biotech startups launched in the state and support academic research with a societal impact and translational research opportunities. (link) |
San Jose Mercury News’ Wilner: “Talked to (Pac-12 Commissioner) Kliavkoff today about this comment: ‘A single coaching hire doesn't materially change the value of your media rights. But hiring Deion will lead to more wins for Colorado, which leads to higher ratings. And ratings are an important measure of media valuation.’” (link)
|
Penn State President Bendapudi presented an overview of the university’s budget allocation model, set to be officially introduced in July 2023 and part of an effort to achieve a balanced budget by 2025, during a recent town hall. Bendapudi reported that units slated to receive budget cuts will not experience a decrease of over 4% per year in FY24 and FY25 and that there are no plans for mass layoffs or consolidating campuses or colleges. Bendapudi: “This is a data-driven model that was designed with the idea of reducing unpredictability and making sure changes are not abrupt. It’s something that will evolve over the years and help Penn State to advance and grow our mission.” (link)
|
Texas supporters Jim and Mary Pat Nelson made a $5M gift to establish the Nelson Center for Brand and Demand Analytics in the Moody College of Communication. The Center, part of the Stan Richards School of Advertising & Public Relations, will offer a credentialing program and an industry program to connect students with leading companies for jobs and mentorships. The gift will also support faculty members specializing in media analytics, digital and social media, branding, entrepreneurship and innovation. (link)
|
Texas Tech’s endowment, valued at $1.7B, returned -1.4% during the most recent fiscal year, compared to a 27.7% return for the previous fiscal year. The three, five and 10 years ended August 31 returned an annualized 8.6%, 6.9% and 7.3% respectively. (link) |
S&P Global Ratings increased its long-term rating on Vanderbilt’s bonds to AAA, making it one of 10 other universities to achieve S&P's highest rating. The increase is attributed to the strength of university leadership, endowment growth, quality of student profile and history of fundraising success. (link) |
New West Virginia AD Baker’s annual compensation will be $1.1M plus incentives, and his base salary will increase by $50K every year starting on January 1, 2025. Baker also stands to earn a one-time retention bonus of $75K after his first two weeks of employment and a $250K retention bonus on March 1, 2026. WVU would owe Baker 75% of his remaining base salary if it were to part ways with Baker without cause. Baker would owe the university $1M were he to leave Morgantown in the first year of his contract, and that figures decreases by $200K each year. (link)
|
|
|
In its annual presentation to the state Capital Development Committee, Colorado officials presented renovation requests for the Hellems Arts & Sciences Building and Guggenheim Building. The total state funding request for Phase 3 of the Hellems Building renovation is $17.1M, with the university expected to fund the rest of the $42M project, while the request for the Guggenheim Building is $16.8M out of a total estimated cost of $42M. (link)
|
Iowa is now accepting RFQs for the $20M Duane Banks Ballpark overhaul, which will include the “complete renovation” of the press box, grandstands and concourse and will expand seating capacity, improve ADA access and improve spectator sightlines. In addition, shelters and turf will be removed and replaced, bullpen areas will be renovated, and field lighting will be improved. (link)
|
Miami submitted plans in September to the City of Coral Gables, seeking approval for a 162K-sq. ft. Football Operations Center and a 200K-sq. ft. parking garage on campus. The proposed FB ops center would include offices for all football personnel, locker rooms, a fitness center, team meeting rooms, alumni lounge, athletic training spaces, a photo studio, media offices, podcast rooms and a simulator room. The garage would have an 18K-sq. ft. dining facility and is part of a previously approved plan for a 280K-sq. ft. structure that has been relocated and reduced in size to accommodate the ops center. The City’s Development Review Committee is set to meet about the proposal on Friday morning. Renderings included here. (link)
|
In an address to the Michigan Board of Regents, President Ono announced plans to initiate the hiring of an architect to design housing specifically for first-year students, the first such project at the university since 1968. The resident hall is expected to house 2,300 students and will be built to, and operate at the highest level of, LEED certification. (link); Regents approved a $6.1M project to renovate 6K-sq. ft. for a new Leinweber Space Innovation Laboratory in the Climate and Space Research Building (link) and authorized construction to proceed on the $10.5M, 11K-sq. ft. Edward and Rosaline Ginsberg Building, which will replace the Ginsberg Center’s current 7,500-sq. ft. home in the Madelon Pound House. The facility will feature collaborative meeting rooms, a resource library and eco-friendly features such as closed-loop geo-exchange heating and cooling system. (link); Among UM's submitted capital outlay requests include a $50M renovation of a facility at 428 Church Street, which will address updates to the Chemistry Building complex as part of a long-term initiative. (link)
|
The Oregon Board of Trustees authorized spending up to $300M for Phase 2 of the Knight Campus, with construction on building 2 expected to begin in Spring 2023 for Winter 2025 occupancy. Trustees also approved a $10M budget for the continuation of work on the UO Portland Campus. (link, link)
|
The Purdue Board of Trustees gave approval to plan, finance and construct renovations to approximately 41K-sq. ft. and multiple floors of the Mechanical Engineering Building, in an effort to accommodate increased enrollment in the College of Engineering. Construction on the $25M project is expected to begin July 2023 for completion in February 2025. Trustees also gave approval for the renaming of Recitation Hall to Helen B. Schleman Hall in honor of Dean Emerita Schleman, with renovations to the facility expected to begin in February 2023 (link)
|
Though there’s no official timeline on the work, Syracuse AD Wildhack says new seating inside the JMA Wireless Dome could be ready by the 2024 season: “The objective would be to have the chairback seats, which would be throughout the entire building.” The upgrades would decrease capacity in the venue, but Wildhack says the Orange will still be able to host 30K for hoops games. (link - article, link - full convo)
|
The Virginia Board of Visitors reviewed plans for the 65K-sq. ft. Karsh Institute for Democracy building, requesting that the next iteration of the project design include elements that more closely align with other UVA buildings and structures. The Board also approved a revised schematic design for the Olympic Sports Center, which will serve athletes across all 27 sports and includes the renovation of the existing McCue Center. (link)
|
|
|
A report by academics at Cornell and NC State published in Nature Human Behavior indicates that the racial diversity of tenured and tenure-track faculty in the U.S. is not increasing faster than the diversity of the American public at large and predicts that “higher education will never achieve demographic parity among tenure-track faculty.” As a solution, the report notes: “We estimate the sector could reach demographic parity by 2050 by collectively increasing underrepresented faculty by one percentage point per year—an increase of 0.78 percentage points on the current rate of change.” More. (link)
|
Colorado Provost Moore expressed support for a change giving instructors the option to shift from a nine-month contract to 12 months, telling the Faculty Assembly: “I’m supportive of state legislation to offer up to five-year contracts for instructors. … If you had an instructor who made $60,000 on a nine-month contract, they’d make around $80,000 on a 12-month (contract). It’s an opportunity for extra income, and we wouldn’t have to pay more on benefits because nine-month instructors already receive 12-month benefits.” (link)
|
Georgia’s accreditation was reaffirmed by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. President Morehead: “The reaffirmation of our accreditation by SACSCOC reflects the University of Georgia’s longstanding commitment to academic excellence and our unwavering focus on student success. I extend my deepest thanks to the many faculty, staff, and students across our campus who worked so hard over the last two years to help our university secure this major accomplishment.” (link)
|
Georgia received a record 26K applications for early action admission, representing a 21% YoY increase. (link) |
Maryland’s test optional application process will remain in effect for undergraduate admissions through Fall 2025. (link)
|
Michigan is seeking the support of a state mediator appointed by the Michigan Employment Relations Commission in its contract negotiations with the Graduate Employees’ Organization, including procedural issues such as how meetings will be conducted and how many people can participate in the bargaining process. (link) |
Oregon will launch a School of Computer and Data Sciences within the College of Arts and Sciences in Fall 2023, incorporating existing degree programs in computer and data science and offering a new data science major. (link) |
The Oregon Board of Trustees approved the creation of a Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science degree in environmental design to launch in Fall 2023. (link) |
Tennessee will commit $50M over five years to recruit 44 research faculty members across seven clusters, representing the largest faculty hiring initiative in recent UT history. The clusters include food and nutrition security, foundational AI and precision health and environment. (link) |
|
|
The New York Times released a list of the top 25 “Low-Cost College Towns,” based on categories of affordability, demographics, and “fun and opportunity.” Manhattan, Kansas, home to Kansas State, topped the list, followed by Lawrence, KS (Kansas), State College, PA (Penn State), Blacksburg, VA (Virginia Tech), Champaign, IL (Illinois), Gainesville, FL (Florida), Ann Arbor, MI (Michigan), College Station, TX (Texas A&M), Bloomington, IN (Indiana), Iowa City, IA (Iowa), Madison, WI (Wisconsin), Berkeley, CA (Cal) and Waco, TX (Baylor). Full list. (link)
|
USC released its 2022 Culture Report, a multi-year examination of the institution’s values and priorities based on Culture Journey discussions and surveys conducted for students, faculty and staff. The report includes USC’s Unifying Values (accountability; integrity; excellence; open communication; well-being; and diversity, equity and inclusion) as well as a commitment to continued collective self-examination and improvement. (link, link, link - full report)
|
35% of Syracuse students completed the most recent Sexual and Relationship Violence Survey in Spring 2022, with 70% of participants indicating they knew where to find resources if they were sexually harassed, abused or stalked and 72% reporting they had a general understanding of SU’s procedures for addressing sexual or relationship violence, while 10% reported experiencing some form of sexual assault and 6% had experienced relationship abuse during their time at SU. (link)
|
As part of its annual update to the system strategic plan, Washington State will formally retire the Drive to 25 initiative, which served as the foundation of the university’s current vision statement and includes four system-level priorities that were officially introduced last month. (link) |
|
|
The National Labor Relations Board is shifting its focus on college athletics from the NCAA at large to USC FB and basketball student-athletes, per College Basketball Players Association Co-Founder Hsu, who told Sportico the NLRB has communicated it will focus on the NCPA’s charge while the NCAA charge is “in abeyance.” Sportico’s Libit adds context: “The NCPA’s charge included USC and the Pac-12 Conference, and specifically addressed the employee status of football and men’s and women’s basketball players. The charge alleged that by misclassifying them as ‘student-athletes,’ the school, conference and NCAA had ‘interfered with, restrained and coerced’ the exercise of those athletes’ collective bargaining rights. As a private university, USC falls within the purview of the NLRB, which oversees only private sector employees. The NCPA also filed an unfair labor practices charge on behalf of athletes at UCLA, a public university. However, that proceeding would rely on the joint employment doctrine, in which an individual is deemed to be employed by a secondary employer—in this case, the NCAA or Pac-12—if that entity wields significant power over the terms and conditions of the individual’s employment.” (link)
|
Virginia Attorney General Miyares selected the Quinn Emanuel law firm to conduct an external review and appointed former U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Virginia Terwilliger to serve as special counsel for any federal, state and local law enforcement issues related to the November 13 shooting at Virginia. President Ryan: “As we continue to mourn the loss of Devin Chandler, Lavel Davis Jr., and D’Sean Perry, we are committed to working with the special counsel team to learn as much as we can about this event and the circumstances that led to it, and to apply those lessons to keep our community safe.” (link)
|
|
|
|