College Matters from The Chronicle

William (Rick) Singer, a college consultant infamous for orchestrating the Varsity Blues admissions scandal, reflects on his 16-month prison stint. He candidly discusses the ethics behind college admissions, sharing insights on the blurred lines between donations and admissions. Singer doesn't shy away from critiquing the FBI and the current admissions landscape while asserting his return to consulting. He also reveals his personal journey in prison, highlighting the importance of family connections and redefining purpose post-scandal.

Emma Pettit, a senior reporter at The Chronicle of Higher Education, discusses the significant transformations at New College of Florida after a conservative takeover. She reveals how the college abandoned gender studies and embraced a Western-centric curriculum, changing its identity from ‘Barefoot U’ to a more traditional campus. Enrollment is on the rise, drawing a new type of student, while faculty express growing concern over diminished influence. The shifting landscape mirrors wider cultural battles in higher education, navigating complex narratives and political influences.

On paper, student teaching evaluations make a lot of sense. Who is better positioned to say whether a professor did a good job than the students who took the course? But dig a little deeper, and there’s good reason to question whether colleges should be relying on teaching evaluations to inform big decisions about an instructor’s promotion, pay, or even continued employment. So what’s wrong with this system? And why do colleges still cling to it, despite research that shows it’s flawed? Related Reading:  Sign up for The Chronicle’s Teaching Newsletter (The Chronicle)  Teaching Evaluations are Broken. Can They Be Fixed? (The Chronicle) A University Overhauled Its Course Evaluation to Get Better Feedback. Here’s What Changed. (The Chronicle)   Meta-analysis of faculty’s teaching effectiveness: Student evaluation of teaching ratings and student learning are not related. (ScienceDirect) Guest: Beckie Supiano, senior writer at The Chronicle of Higher Education For more on today’s episode, visit chronicle.com/collegematters.

In a live discussion at the ASU+GSV Summit, hosts dive into the shifting landscape of higher education amidst significant changes in federal policies. They highlight the severe cuts at the Department of Education and the challenges posed to international student enrollment. The looming withdrawal of federal research funding raises concerns about institutional sustainability. The conversation emphasizes the need for strong leadership to cultivate a positive campus culture during these uncertain times, reflecting on broader implications for top universities.

Jon Shields, a professor of American politics at Claremont McKenna College, discusses the state of conservatism among college students influenced by groups like Turning Point USA. He argues that today's conservative movement often lacks foundational ideas, urging professors to reintroduce thinkers like Edmund Burke to the MAGA crowd. The conversation delves into the tension between conservatism and liberalism in academia, the politicization of higher education, and the challenges of engaging conservative youth in meaningful discourse.

Donald Trump campaigned on a promise to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education, an agency that Republicans say is too wasteful and too woke. Through a series of layoffs and buyouts, the Trump administration has reduced the agency’s work force by roughly half. The broader goal, administration officials say, is to return more power to the states and to cut down on government waste. But the cuts have left many people concerned about the department’s capacity to carry out its vital functions, like enforcing civil-rights laws. The great purge at the agency has spread fear among employees, upended hundreds of lives, and left some to conclude that the whole point of this operation has been to intimidate and control government workers. Related Reading: ‘Breathtakingly Irresponsible’: Former Workers Decry Decimation of Education Dept.’s Data Warehouse  What the Education Dept.’s Job Cuts Could Mean for Financial Aid Protesters Rally Against Education Dept. Cuts Guests: Anthony Badial-Luna, management and program analyst at the Education Department  Kaitlyn Vitez, higher-education liaison at the Education Department  Christopher Madaio, former director of the Investigations Group in the Education Department’s enforcement unit; senior adviser at The Institute for College Access & Success Elizabeth Morrow, a deputy director at the Office of Public Engagement for Non-Discrimination in the Office for Civil Rights  For more on today’s episode, visit chronicle.com/collegematters. We aim to make transcripts available within a day of an episode’s publication.

On the campaign trail, Donald Trump promised to deport student protesters. In recent weeks, the president has delivered on that pledge. The Trump administration has revoked hundreds of international students' visas across the country, spreading fear on college campuses and inviting constitutional challenges from lawyers and activists. Eric Lee, an immigration lawyer, says the administration’s actions are unconstitutional. One of his clients, Momodou Taal, a Cornell University graduate student and pro-Palestinian activist, recently decided to leave the United States rather than face detention and deportation. What’s happening, Lee says, is a threat to the free speech rights of citizens and noncitizens alike. Related Reading:Tracking Trump’s Actions on Student Visas Pro-Palestinian Activists Shut Down a Job Fair. One Student’s Punishment Could Get Him Deported. Trump has Revoked Student Visas at Dozens of Colleges. Here’s What That Means.Guest:Eric Lee, immigration lawyerFor more on today’s episode, visit chronicle.com/collegematters. We aim to make transcripts available within a day of an episode’s publication.

Jacob Howland, the provost at the University of Austin, focuses on a curriculum steeped in Western civilization, while Pauline Strong, an anthropology professor at UT Austin, advocates for Indigenous studies. They discuss the rise of conservative-backed institutes promoting Western civics at universities and debate the implications for traditional education norms. The conversation navigates the complexities of identity in curricula and emphasizes the importance of fostering respectful discourse in academia amidst changing political landscapes.

Join Nell Gluckman, a senior reporter exploring campus parking conflicts, as she dissects the heated debate from Tarleton State University. Adrienne Tucker, Kansas State’s parking director, sheds light on reimagining parking services and combating negative stereotypes. Meanwhile, Henry Grabar, author of 'Paved Paradise', unveils how parking shapes urban life and the cultural implications of parking disputes. Together, they navigate the emotional highs and lows of securing a spot on campus and challenge common misconceptions about parking policies.

Lee Gardner, a senior writer at The Chronicle of Higher Education, dives into the escalating feud between faculty and administrators in colleges. He discusses the turbulence caused by no-confidence votes and high turnover in leadership, stressing the impact on academic integrity. The conversation delves into decision-making issues amplified by the pandemic, particularly around acquisitions and financial crises. Gardner emphasizes the need for collaboration and trust-building to address the evolving challenges in higher education amidst shifting faculty dynamics.