In this week's roundup:
faculty wages haven’t kept pace with inflation, not all students feel safe on college campuses, and the nursing shortage is being addressed in Michigan.
June 16-22
- Arizona State University has been designated as a Hispanic-serving institution. The designation comes with hopes of receiving additional funding to help more Latinx students graduate.
- The Senate approved a proposal to separate student loan debt between spouses and ex-spouses. The Joint Consolidation Separation Act would allow borrowers to separate their student loan payments in the case of divorce.
- An annual report from the American Association of University Professors found that full-time faculty wages fell 5% during the 2021-22 academic year. The drop is one of the largest one-year decreases in the past 50 years.
- The Michigan Community College Association has joined three other healthcare organizations to address the nursing shortage in Michigan. Officials project that the state will need over 6,000 nurses within the next six years.
- The University of North Carolina system has been condemned by the American Association of University Professors for disregarding academic freedom and perpetuating institutional racism. The AAUP points to the UNC system disregarding minority-serving institutions and having a disproportionately white governing board.
- Despite 39 million adults leaving college without graduating, a report from National Student Clearinghouse Research Center takes a look at those who choose to re-enroll. More women are reenrolling than men and students under 25 being the most likely to re-enroll.
- Dartmouth College will replace its undergraduate student loans with grants. The Ivy League institution received over $80 million in donations which led them to eliminate loan requirements.
- A survey of over 2,000 college students found that students mostly feel safe on college campuses, but not all students feel the same degree of safety. Female students, LGBTQIA+ students, and students of color tend to feel less safe, according to the survey.
- Purdue University is receiving criticism from the American Association of University Professors over its selection of the institution’s next president. The AAUP called the process “secretive,” noting that faculty input was not considered in the selection of Mung Chiang, formerly the engineering dean at the university.
- A study titled “How America Completes College: Understanding What Helps Students Graduate” also reveals the top reasons why students drop out of college. Life changes were the main reason, including financial concerns and mental health challenges.
