University of Iowa proposes closing American studies, gender studies depts
The University of Iowa is considering consolidating various departments and degrees focused on gender, women’s and sexuality studies, as well as social justice, under a new program dubbed the School of Social and Cultural Analysis. University officials said that there are currently fewer than 60 students between the separate departments.
In a Dec. 17 press release, the public university said it’s proposing closing its “Departments of American Studies and Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies, as well as the current majors in American Studies and in Social Justice.”
School officials say they’re instead proposing to the Board of Regents a School of Social and Cultural Analysis. Officials say it “would combine several departments and programs in the areas of African American Studies; American Studies; Gender, Women’s, and Sexuality Studies; Jewish Studies; Latina/o/x Studies; and Native American and Indigenous Studies.”
“Under this proposed plan, the school would have a single leadership team dedicated to overseeing the operations of the programs,” Roland Racevskis, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) associate dean for the arts and humanities, said in a statement. “This new structure would provide better coordination of curriculum across these related programs, easier pathways for degree completion, and support for interdisciplinary research opportunities.”
Students in existing departments would move to the new program. They’d also be given the opportunity to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Social and Cultural Analysis.
“Students in this major would be able to connect their individual experiences and ideas to larger social contexts,” said Cornelia Lang, CLAS associate dean for undergraduate education. “This would prepare them well for potential careers or graduate work in cultural studies and related fields through highly adaptable skills like analytical thinking, effective communication, and research.”
The Board of Regents would need to approve the proposal at its February meeting.
Alerts for international college students ramp up ahead of Trump presidency
A wave of uncertainty is spreading across college campuses among international students ahead of President-elect Donald Trump taking office. Concerns about potential travel bans and tightened immigration policies are sparking new warnings.
China’s Consulate General is advising students to think twice about leaving the country over the holiday and said students should “try to reduce unnecessary cross-border travel.”
The alert comes after Trump targeted Chinese student visas during his first term. His administration focused on those deemed “security risks” to American scientific research, including Chinese graduate students and post-grad researchers with close ties to the country’s defense industry.
When President Joe Biden took office in 2021, he reversed several of Trump’s executive actions, including a ban on citizens entering the U.S. from predominantly Muslim countries, which Trump has vowed to reinstate.
Despite Biden’s reversals, Chinese students still face challenges like visa denials and entry bans under Trump-era policies.
Along with China’s recent warning, at least a dozen U.S. universities from California to New York are recommending students return to campus before Trump’s inauguration.
“While there’s no certainty such orders will be issued, the safest way to avoid any challenges is to be physically present in the U.S. before the Spring semester begins on January 13, 2025,” the USC Office of International Service said.
Cornell University also warned about possible restrictions. Officials told students to let their advisers know about their plans and be prepared for delays if they did plan to travel abroad.
University of Michigan DEI program still intact, ends diversity statements
A decision still hangs in the air over the University of Michigan campus, following student protests to keep the DEI program around. The Board of Regents met one final time Thursday, Dec. 5, to discuss DEI initiatives.
Regents left the diversity, equity and inclusion program untouched.
“There are no plans to make any cuts to these programs,” a board member said.
However, board members did vote to remove the requirement for diversity statements from faculty who are under consideration for a job or promotion. Candidates will no longer have to provide an outline on how they will contribute to DEI programs on Michigan’s campus.
The change is similar to ones made in recent months at other universities, including Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Michigan’s provost, Laurie McCauley, said a faculty committee spent months weighing pros and cons of diversity statements.
McCauley said the University’s program has produced important strides to increase opportunities for people.
Michigan’s regents are still measuring other DEI initiatives after a New York Times report detailed the University has spent $250 million since 2016 despite Black students enrollment sitting around 5% for the last decade. The Times investigation also found 56% of funding goes to salaries and benefits for DEI staff members.
Michigan’s student newspaper obtained a letter released by the Faculty Senate in November 2024. The letter said the regents met behind closed doors on the possibility of defunding the DEI program in the next budget year.
Concern quickly heightened across the campus, staff reporting that both students and faculty could be negatively impacted and removing DEI would change Michigans core values.
The letter also asserted President-elect Donald Trump’s promises to rollback DEI programs is sparking fear across the board of regents.
Michigan’s student body caught wind of the letter, spurring a rally at the beginning of December. Other students attended Thursday’s meeting to speak directly to the regents.
One student spoke out and said, “Many have DEI completely wrong, instilling terror and fear for a reason I must attribute to ignorance at best, malice at worst.”
A Michigan physics professor wants to see DEI eliminated from the campus. He said the program is discriminatory in nature.
The board also raised household income requirements to allow more students to attend the University of Michigan without paying tuition. The threshold was increased by 67%.
CA bill would prioritize descendants of slaves for college admissions
A California lawmaker plans to introduce a bill to the state’s Assembly on Monday, Dec. 2, that would give admissions priority to descendants of slaves at the University of California and California State University, The Associated Press reported. Assemblymember Isaac Bryan, a Democrat representing communities in Los Angeles and Culver City, is also a member of the California Legislative Black Caucus.
Bryan told the AP he intends to introduce the bill after new members are sworn in and gather for a special session aimed at protecting California’s progressive policies before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January.
Last year, the U.S. Supreme Court ended race-based admissions at colleges and universities when justices reversed affirmative action. However, legacy admissions remain acceptable, which critics argue favors alumni children and donors, making the admissions process even more biased against students of color.
Bryan told the AP, “For decades, universities gave preferential admission treatment to donors, and their family members, while others tied to legacies of harm were ignored and at times outright excluded. We have a moral responsibility to do all we can to right those wrongs.”
The state of California created a Black Reparations Task Force to study the effects of slavery on the state and how it impacts Black Californians. To date, the task force has been unsuccessful in getting any reparations recommendations written into bills, passed or signed into law.
“When folks think about reparations, they think about just cash payments. But repairing the harm and the inequality that came from slavery and the policies thereafter is a much bigger process,” Bryan said.
In September, Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom vetoed a bill that would have allowed Black families to file claims for land lost through discriminatory eminent domain practices.
Student borrowers may face default as loan forgiveness remains tied up in court
For millions of student loan borrowers hoping for relief from Washington, things might get more complicated in the months ahead. The Biden administration’s one-year grace period from the Covid-era delay on repayments has expired.
Banks could begin to hit debtors who haven’t begun paying back their student loans with a collection action. Financial experts say it generally takes between nine and 12 months for somebody to face the consequences of defaulting.
People who default on their student loans could face garnishment of their wages, loss of eligibility to get a mortgage and credit rating difficulties.
A federal judge recently blocked President Joe Biden’s second attempt at mass debt cancellation. The U.S. Supreme Court rejected his first attempt in 2023.
The Biden administration also tried to offer new loan repayment plans. However, those have also been tied up in the courts.
Experts said those in deep student loan debt at the federal or state level can try to file an Economic Hardship Deferment. Debtors would need to file a form and answer questions about their ability to repay and work situation. However, only those with loans like Perkins or Federal Family education loans can apply.
Somebody out of work can file a similar form called an Unemployment Deferment Request.
Another option would be to file for student loan forbearance. In this case, the loan provider decides whether to grant the person in debt a chance to make no payment or a smaller payment for a period up to one year, before the case is reviewed again.
Borrowers should receive multiple notices before they go into default or delinquency.
Looking ahead, President-elect Donald Trump said on the campaign trail he would try to roll back the Biden administration’s effort to forgive student loan debt, calling it illegal.
New Ohio law bans trans students from using bathrooms based on gender identity
Ohio Republican Gov. Mike DeWine signed a new law banning transgender students from using multiperson bathrooms according to their gender identities. The “Protect All Students Act” will take effect in 90 days as some lawmakers call for a veto.
Gov. DeWine didn’t make a comment after signing the bill Wednesday, Nov. 27.
The move comes on the heels of different legislation that took effect in August banning gender-affirming care for minors across the state.
The newly-signed law requires both public and private schools to have separate bathrooms and locker rooms for kindergarten through college-level students based on their biological sex assigned at birth.
It also requires officials to clearly label bathrooms, locker rooms, shower rooms and changing rooms as male or female.
According to the bill, biological sex is defined as the sex chromosomes, naturally occurring sex hormones and both the internal and external anatomy of males and females.
The law prohibits using psychological, chosen or subjective genders as definitions or determinations.
Biological indication of male and female, including sex chromosomes, naturally occurring sex hormones, gonads, and non-ambiguous internal and external genitalia present at birth, without regard to an individual’s psychological, chosen, or subjective experience of gender.
Senate Bill 104 -Ohio 135th General Assembly
Ohio Republican State Sen. Jerry Cirino said the bill revolves around safety, security and common sense.
Republican State Rep. Beth Lear also supported the legislation and offered a letter of support. She said these restrictions protect students from predators and shield them from issues that are too complex for many adults.
Ohio echoes at least 11 other states already halting transgender women and girls from using bathrooms labeled for women and girls.
The state also joins 24 others that regulate the participation of transgender girls and women in women’s sports.
The Republican-backed measure passed in the Ohio House before receiving a 24-7 vote in the Senate earlier this month.
The act was added to other legislation surrounding a college credit program for high school students, which quickly drew objection from Democrats and civil rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio.
“SB 104 will create unsafe environments for trans and gender non-confirming individuals of all ages. This bill ignores the material reality that transgender people endure higher rates of sexual violence and assaults, particularly while using public restrooms, than people who are not transgender.”
ACLU of Ohio statement by Policy Director Jocelyn Rosnick
A study released in 2019 by the Journal of Pediatrics supports this claim. Data shows that when transgender teens’ bathrooms are limited or restricted, they’re at a higher risk for sexual assault.
The ACLU of Ohio said it is closely considering next steps to continue standing with trans Ohioans.
People with disabilities are exempt from this bill. Private and public institutions can still provide family and single-use bathrooms.
There are also other exemptions like emergencies, for school employees or parents helping young children.
Right now, as written, there are no penalties or enforcement listed in the bill if violations happen.
Before signing the bill, DeWine made a legal review of the legislation.
Abbott orders Texas public universities not to raise tuition through 2027
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, R, is taking steps to keep tuition rates from rising at the state’s public universities. Abbott sent letters to all public universities in Texas, speaking with each school’s board of regents, and reached an agreement that tuition will remain frozen through the 2026-2027 school year.
In the letter, Abbott cited the financial pressures many families in Texas are facing due to inflation and rising costs, stressing that public universities must help ease those burdens.
In 2023, Abbott signed a law freezing tuition rates through the 2024-2025 school year. Now, with that freeze set to expire, the governor made it clear he will not support any tuition increases in the upcoming legislative cycle.
He also pointed to the state’s commitment to higher education, noting Texas allocated $700 million to public universities in the most recent state budget. University leaders had requested the funding to help keep tuition rates flat in 2023.
The average annual cost of attendance for in-state students at a public university in Texas is nearly $29,000, with tuition and fees alone totaling just over $10,000.
Abbott emphasized that making higher education affordable remains a top priority for the state, believing it will help Texans earn better wages and improve their quality of life.
Universities create ‘coping spaces’ for students with election stress
Colleges across the U.S. are offering “coping spaces” to help students manage potential stress following the 2024 presidential election. These efforts, aimed at fostering mindfulness and relaxation, include designated spaces for activities like coloring, Lego-building and drop-in counseling.
The Free Press reports how Georgetown University’s McCourt School of Public Policy, the day after the election, features an all-day “self-care suite,” where students can take part in stress-relieving activities, including a “Legos station,” coloring exercises and guided meditation.
According to Jaclyn Clevenger, Georgetown’s director of student engagement, the initiative is intended to provide a break during a tense period.
Getty Images
Missouri State University’s counseling center has also set up a “no phone zone,” with calm jars, sensory fidget tools and coloring pages. The school describes this space as a quiet area where students can unplug from social media and focus on personal relaxation.
Washington University in St. Louis, as part of its “Engage Democracy 2024” program, has introduced drop-in counseling sessions where students can talk with mental health professionals individually or in small groups. The university states that this is meant to offer supportive spaces for students who may feel anxious or stressed after the election results.
These programs reflect a broader trend in higher education, as universities increasingly seek to address student mental health during national events. Schools like the University of Michigan have implemented measures like flexible deadlines and additional mental health support to ensure students have access to resources during what they say are potentially challenging times.
Harris, Trump look for votes in battlegrounds with 2 weeks to go
With exactly two weeks to go until Election Day, both candidates for president are blitzing the battleground states. And we’ve learned how long student loan repayments for about eight million Americans will remain on hold. These stories and more highlight your Unbiased Updates for Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024.
Harris, Trump look for more votes in battlegrounds with 2 weeks to go
With two weeks to go until Election Day, the presidential candidates are crisscrossing the country trying to pick up any undecided voters that remain.
.@Liz_Cheney: Vice President Harris is going to defend our Constitution. We're not always gonna agree, but I know Vice President Harris will always do what she believes is right for this country. She has a sincere heart, and that's why I'm honored to support her pic.twitter.com/lcFD6MGDSF
“So, I think that we are facing a choice in this election; it’s not about party, it’s about right and wrong,” Cheney said. “And I certainly have many Republicans who will say to me, ‘I can’t be public.’ They do worry about a whole range of things including violence, but they’ll do the right thing.”
In Wisconsin, Harris described her opponent former President Donald Trump as “unstable,” referencing comments made by former Trump cabinet members.
“I think it’s very important that we acknowledge — and I have said publicly that Donald Trump is an unserious man,” Harris said, “and the consequences of him ever being President of United States again are brutally serious. Brutally serious.”
Former President Trump visited North Carolina on Monday where he surveyed the damage created by Hurricane Helene and continued his criticism of the Biden administration’s relief efforts.
“The power of nature, nothing you can do about it, but you got to get a little bit better crew and to do a better job than has been done by the White House,” Trump said. “It’s been not good. Not good. I’m here today in western North Carolina to express a simple message to the incredible people of the state: I’m with you and the American people are with you all the way. We’re going to continue to be with you. We’ll see what happens with the election. And we’re, on January 20th, you’re going to have, I think, a new crew coming in to do it properly and help you in a proper manner.”
Trump made two more stops while in North Carolina Monday, holding a rally and speaking at a faith leaders’ event.
On Tuesday, Oct. 22, former President Trump will continue campaigning in North Carolina with a rally in Greensboro, and Vice President Harris will sit down for an interview with NBC News in Washington, D.C.
Blinken in Israel to revive Gaza cease-fire talks after Sinwar death
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is in Israel once again — his 11th visit to the region since war broke out between Israel and Hamas a little more than a year ago.
On my way to Israel and other stops in the Middle East for intensive discussions about the importance of ending the war in Gaza, returning the hostages to their families, and alleviating the suffering of the Palestinian people. pic.twitter.com/lIaRUo7Ea2
This visit is the first stop on a wider tour of the Middle East in which Blinken is expected to revive talks for a cease-fire in Gaza in the wake of the death of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
Blinken’s weeklong trip comes as the Middle East braces for Israel’s response to an Iranian missile attack on Tel Aviv earlier this month.
Teen arrested after 2 adults, 3 children killed in shooting at Washington home
Officials with the King County Sheriff’s Office said another teenager who had been injured went to a Seattle hospital. They said that teenager and the teen in custody both live at the home where the shooting happened, but did not know the relationships between those teens and the five people killed.
“I just don’t know the relationships, so I’m going to withhold confirming any relationships, but it does appear to be that this is a family incident,” Deputy Mike Mellis told reporters Monday. “Clearly, a domestic violence incident that involves not only a young man — who’s now in significant trouble — and it involves firearms. Young men and firearms.”
Reports say he has chronic myeloid leukemia, a form of bone marrow cancer, and he’s undergoing treatment at Rikers Island prison in New York where he’s serving a 16-year sentence.
This is just the latest health issue Weinstein has faced behind bars. Last month, he had emergency heart surgery to alleviate a significant amount of fluid in his lungs and heart, and he was hospitalized in July with COVID-19 and double pneumonia.
Student loan payments pause extended for 8 million SAVE plan borrowers
Eight million Americans will be able to continue holding off paying back their student loans for at least another six months, the Department of Education confirmed on Monday.
The Education Department said save enrollees will be placed in an interest-free general forbearance for at least six months pending the outcome of legal challenges to the plan.
Cheapest World Series tickets costing at least $1,000 on secondary market
The Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Yankees have each punched their ticket to the World Series and now if you want a ticket, you’ll need at least $1,000. According to SeatGeek, the cheapest single seat for the Game 1 in LA on Friday, Oct. 25, will cost $1,034.
For Game 2 on Saturday, Oct. 26, also at Dodger Stadium, the least expensive ticket is $1,209.
Games 3 and 4 on Monday and Tuesday, Oct. 28 and 29, head back to the East Coast, with the cheapest tickets for Yankees Stadium costing $1,385 and $1,110, respectively. A possible Game 5 is showing the same as Game 4.
And “if necessary,” Games 6 and 7 would be back in LA, with the cheapest tickets going for around $1,300 or more.
As for the good seats behind home plate at Dodger Stadium, those tickets are going for $1,500 or more.
Judge weighs Louisiana law requiring Ten Commandments in schools
A federal judge will hear arguments Monday, Oct. 21, over Louisiana’s new law requiring the Ten Commandments be displayed in all public schools statewide by Jan. 1. Lawyers for parents seeking to block the law will argue it violates the United States Constitution by infringing on students’ religious freedom.
State lawyers argue the lawsuit should be thrown out – not only because the posters haven’t even gone up yet, but because they say the Ten Commandments have historical significance and influence on American law.
The Louisiana law applies to all public K-12 schools and state-funded university classrooms and requires the Ten Commandments to be displayed on a poster or framed document at least 11 inches by 14 inches where the text is the central focus and “printed in a large, easily readable font.”
Each poster must also be paired with a four-paragraph context statement that says the Ten Commandments “were a prominent part of American public education for almost three centuries,” among other things.
School systems will not have to use public money for the posters. Instead, the displays will be paid for by donations or the posters themselves will be donated by groups or organizations. Meanwhile, questions still linger about how the requirement will be enforced if a teacher refuses to hang up the Ten Commandments and what happens if there are not enough donations to satisfy the mandate.
