Academic Programs

Another guide labeling higher education institutions has entered the arena. This one’s metrics include graduation rates, ROI … and DEI.

The university courted controversy by slashing programs and laying off both tenured and nontenured faculty members. More spooked professors are leaving in addition to those cuts, but so are key leaders who pushed them.

Research from Ad Astra finds eight-week courses can increase students’ annual credit completion. To build a short-term schedule, campus leaders should identify goals and make sure programs are aligned for ease of student experience.

The university says creative writing faculty recommended returning its Jones Lectureships to their “original intent” as short-term teaching appointments for talented writers. A lecturer of 20 years said he thinks there’s a “peasants and lords issue” in the program.

As microcredential programs slowly gain traction, more universities are looking for leaders to coordinate the efforts.

Beyond enrollment declines, colleges have cited the fallout of pro-Palestinian protests, the botched FAFSA rollout and debt as drivers of recent job and program cuts.

Numerous colleges announced or completed plans to cut academic programs or jobs in February. Many of those institutions are in the Midwest—particularly Ohio.

D and F grades will be replaced with “no credit” and will not affect students’ GPAs. University leaders say it will raise retention rates; critics say it may lower academic rigor and lead to grade inflation.