University of Virginia President James E. Ryan has resigned following pressure from the Trump administration amid a Justice Department investigation into the school’s diversity practices. The Justice Department demanded Ryan’s resignation due to the university’s perceived failure to dismantle its DEI initiatives, prompting the board’s acceptance of his resignation. Ryan’s departure comes after the university’s Board of Visitors voted to end its DEI office, a move praised by Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin. His resignation is viewed as a potential disruption for higher education, raising concerns about governmental overreach and its implications for institutional autonomy.
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Congressional Republicans are poised to significantly escalate attacks on higher education through a reconciliation bill, potentially causing widespread damage to universities nationwide. This bill, far from addressing fiscal concerns, weaponizes student debt, threatening to financially cripple millions and effectively privatize higher education by excluding working- and middle-class families. The legislation reflects a broader authoritarian agenda aligned with increased spending on immigration enforcement, mirroring the Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025. Protests are planned, but insufficient political attention has been given to this looming crisis.
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The Department of Education has announced a halt to the garnishment of Social Security benefits for borrowers in default on federal student loans, a policy shift following the recent resumption of loan collections. This action affects an estimated 452,000 individuals aged 62 and older with defaulted loans. While the administration cites a commitment to protecting Social Security recipients, advocates argue that this pause is insufficient to address the broader issue of the 5.3 million borrowers in default and the significant increase in student loan debt among older Americans. The growth in student loan debt among older borrowers, now totaling an estimated $125 billion, underscores the need for more comprehensive solutions.
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The Florida Board of Governors rejected Santa Ono’s nomination as University of Florida president despite the university’s Board of Trustees’ unanimous approval. Ono faced intense scrutiny and criticism from Republican lawmakers regarding his past support of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, prompting concerns about his alignment with the state’s recently enacted anti-DEI legislation. His extensive questioning by the Board of Governors focused on his previous actions and statements related to DEI and handling of campus protests. Ultimately, the governors’ decision overturned Ono’s selection, preventing him from assuming the presidency and a lucrative five-year contract.
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The Trump administration is targeting Harvard University, threatening to revoke its ability to enroll international students and freeze billions in federal funding. These actions, framed as addressing issues like campus bias and foreign influence, are viewed by Harvard as unconstitutional attacks on academic freedom. Harvard has filed lawsuits and is resisting the administration’s demands, arguing the actions represent a broader attempt to intimidate and control institutions of higher learning. The conflict pits the long-standing university against a president seeking to reshape American higher education, with significant implications for academic freedom and the future of US universities.
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Senator Bernie Sanders’ College for All Act of 2025 proposes eliminating tuition and fees at public colleges and universities for most Americans, specifically those from households earning under $300,000 (married) or $150,000 (single). The bill also mandates free tuition at community colleges and trade schools for all, and provides grants to minority-serving institutions to achieve similar results. This legislation directly counters Republican plans to cut federal higher education funding while enacting tax cuts for the wealthy. While facing an uphill battle in Congress, the proposal enjoys significant public support.
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The US government’s announcement that it will begin revoking visas for Chinese students is a complex issue with far-reaching consequences. The immediate impact is the creation of considerable uncertainty and disruption for affected students. Many are already deeply invested in their studies, research, and lives in the US, only to face abrupt deportation and the shattering of their academic and career plans. This upheaval affects not only the students themselves but also the universities that rely on their tuition fees and the broader communities where they live and work.
This policy threatens the economic stability of many university towns, particularly those heavily reliant on international student enrollment, largely from China.… Continue reading
In short, Trump’s purported support for vocational training is largely performative, driven by his antagonism towards elite institutions rather than a genuine commitment to workforce development. This strategy exploits legitimate concerns about meritocracy’s failures, but public opinion suggests a more nuanced view than Trump’s simplistic framing. While higher education reform is necessary, Trump’s attacks are perceived by many not as a critique of elitism but as expressions of authoritarianism. Therefore, the connection between anti-elite sentiment and support for Trump’s agenda may be less direct than often assumed.
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Trump’s decision to pause all student visa vetting interviews is a move that has sparked widespread debate and concern. The immediate impact is a halt to the processing of student and exchange visitor visas (F, M, and J categories), effectively freezing the intake of international students at American universities.
This pause, ostensibly implemented to allow for the expansion of social media screening and vetting procedures, is perceived by many as a needless and overly burdensome bureaucratic hurdle. The concern isn’t just about the immediate halt; it’s about the chilling effect this action will have on prospective students worldwide. The uncertainty created by this abrupt pause will likely deter many from even applying to American universities, regardless of how long the pause lasts.… Continue reading
The US State Department has temporarily halted new student visa appointments globally to implement expanded social media vetting for all applicants. This action, stemming from a cable issued by Secretary Rubio, follows recent visa revocations and attempts to restrict foreign student enrollment. The pause is expected to create a significant backlog and potentially severely impact fall enrollment, particularly given the timing of the announcement. The expanded vetting process, while described as a review of existing procedures, raises concerns about its impact on international student admissions to US universities.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood