In this week's roundup:
new data shows where students are attending college, a decision on student debt forgiveness is expected by late summer, and Carnegie Mellon employees receive inflation relief.
June 2-8
- Texas Governor Greg Abbott reached out to Pete Blair, executive director of the Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training program at Texas State University, to provide more active-shooter response training for all Texas schools. The ALERRT program at Texas State is considered the most effective active-shooter training program in the country.
- Institutions that launch mental health programs designed by the JED Foundation will be eligible to receive a discount on insurance premiums through United Educators. This discount is a result of a partnership between the JED Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to mental health services, and United Educators, an education insurance company.
- A decision on student debt cancellation is expected to be announced later this summer. Despite an announcement originally being expected in mid-May, the Biden Administration continues to weigh inflation and other economic factors.
- A new study from Worcester Polytechnic Institute provides data on where college-bound students decide to attend college, a decision based on cost and location, among other factors. The study finds students in Michigan, Louisiana and Texas are more likely to attend an in-state institution, while New Jersey and Alaska students are more likely to choose out-of-state institutions.
- A report from S&P Global Ratings found pandemic-related government funding to be $13.2 million per institution. With government relief ending, institutions face inflation pressure.
- Pennsylvania State University has decided not to fire a professor who had a physical altercation with a student at a pro-vaccine rally last August. Dr. Oliver Baker faced charges of simple assault, disorderly conduct and harassment but was found not guilty.
- The group formerly known as the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE) has changed its name to the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. The freedom of speech advocacy group’s change in name comes with an expansion beyond higher education.
- Three former students of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute lost a COVID-19 vaccine mandate lawsuit. The three students filed the lawsuit in January seeking religious exemption from the vaccination requirement in place by RPI.
- Carnegie Mellon University will offer eligible employees a one-time $1,500 payment for inflation relief. A majority of employees will be eligible for this one-time payment, except for those with a start date of July 1 or later.
- Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has approved a 5% raise for higher education faculty. Governor Edwards vetoed a 3% raise in favor of a 5% raise that will be funded via the lieutenant governor’s state marketing budget.
