The UNC System has moved forward with a new definition of academic freedom meant to clarify what faculty can do in teaching and research. Faculty groups warn the policy adds vague limits that could weaken protections, discourage open discussion, and make it harder to recruit professors. #NCed
Vague policy language is troubling but likely intentional. I wonder if this post is an activity that doesn't "support the university's mission". Note: Posting on personal laptop to avoid using "university resources for political or ideological advocacy". I guess this might be advocacy but not sure.
When higher ed leaders/policymakers demand institutional neutrality (IN), they really mean 3 related things: (1) IN doesn't apply to higher ed leaders; (2) IN doesn't apply to conservative ideology/speech; and (3) IN doesn't prohibit readily caving to the conservative groups' whims.
[Looks up from coding]
[Sees updates]
[Goes back to coding]
My lovely gerrymandered-to-hell Republican-controlled state government cannot manage to produce a budget. We still do not have one. So that’s nice.
the USA built a system of higher education so good that smart/rich people from across the world came here, spending billions to learn here, subsidizing education for Americans while spending money to live in our cities and towns. our government arbitrarily decided we should stop doing that
For those who care about quality education, @bakerdphd.bsky.social describes the Department of Ed's deeply troubling drop in reporting ed statistics. www.brookings.edu/articles/the...
Kevin holding a copy of his book in an atrium
Hey! It's the official publication day for my book! I'm so proud of this work and hope it does some good in higher ed.
The Caring University: Reimagining the Higher Education Workplace after the Great Resignation
www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/...
The last time secretly recording higher ed workers was in the news, @thetattooedprof.bsky.social & I wrote about it. UNC chancellors are under intense pressure to respond to these videos, but firing people over them is abhorrent & yields power to these groups. www.chronicle.com/article/how-...
Door is wide open for Roy Cooper to walk right through. C'mon Governor!
After ruling the NIH grant terminations illegal, Judge Young ended the hearing with an eye-opening speech.
“This represents racial discrimination, and discrimination against America’s LGBTQ community. That's what this is. I would be blind not to call it out. My duty is to call it out. And I do so.”
Got word today that the UNC system is freezing all salaries and admin headcount at April 2025 levels. All hiring needs chancellor approval. Bracing for expected state revenue decline and to make up for tax cuts. amp.newsobserver.com/news/local/e...
The rally was one of about 2,000 protests held under the “No Kings” banner across the country Saturday to coincide with Trump’s birthday and Flag Day.
The current wave of federal immigration raids began in January with a “rogue” operation in California’s Central Valley.
My new study finds these raids increased school absences by 22%—a leading indicator of the resulting family stress & lost learning opportunities👇
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/16/u...
Moved to Durham from Raleigh a couple of years ago. Love Durham!
I couldn't find me in the picture either. Great crowd.
I found me!
(I did not find me, there were so many people)
This is the first media coverage that I have seen of the UNC board's quiet decision to largely pause granting tenure outside of the health sciences. This is worth watching over the coming weeks.
This framing is all wrong
Our international students are not a “crucial funding source”
They are our STUDENTS
They are the reason we EXIST
We teach STUDENTS
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has terminated Harvard University’s ability to enroll international students, ratcheting up the conflict between the Trump administration and the institution. chroni.cl/3YZHUTf
Well done @drshaunharper.bsky.social! Encourage all to watch his testimony starting at 22:45.
I am testifying to Congress at 10:15am EDT today. The hearing, “Restoring Excellence: The Case Against DEI,” will be live streamed via YouTube. Watch at the link below.
What a great piece.
“Not every leader can or should publicly challenge politicians. … But at some point, you have let your community know what you are doing and what you stand for.”
I worked in this bldg. for 3 years. I brought my child to this bldg. I knew there was dust & asbestos abasement, but I trusted the university to keep us safe. I was fortunate to leave with no known negative health effects. Unfortunately, I can't say the same for others. www.wral.com/news/investi...
NCME sues to protect measurement data and research. "The law requires not only data access but data quality. For 88 years, our organization has upheld standards for valid measurements and measurement research. We do so again today.” @ncme38.bsky.social #NCME25 www.naacpldf.org/press-releas...
This is a great piece about the North Carolina community college system's proposed new funding model that goes all-in on workforce development. Between this and the Next NC scholarship, that state is trying some big new things in higher education.
ToBeClear It is important for researchers to be clear, factual, and transparent about how federal priorities are affecting research. We therefore want to acknowledge that this work has been impacted by recent United States federal executive actions. This research has been affected by U.S. federal executive actions. Data removed that was used for this study • Example #1 • Example #2 • Example #3 Image Image This research has been affected by U.S. federal executive actions. Data at risk from lack of updating or maintenance due to cuts in personnel or funding used in this study • Example #1 • Example #2 • Example #3 • Example #4 • Sub example • Sub Example • Sub example • Example #5
Resistance with slides:
when presenting scientific evidence created by federal data and/or $
tell your audience what they won’t be seeing more of
Slides templates here
https://sites.google.com/view/tobeclear/
I get the fear of speaking up, but I believe there’s room for clear, principled opposition to unjust policies that harm our students. At some point, we have to do what’s right before we completely lose who we are as educators.
The NC State AAUP chapter calls on our chancellor, who has been conspicuously silent on the myriad of attacks on higher ed, to stand up for our international students. Our students deserve better. I encourage all faculty to join the @aaup.bsky.social. www.technicianonline.com/opinion/gues...
