It gets hot around here so early in the year that it’s easy to forget summer doesn’t actually begin until June 21st. But now we can celebrate because summer has officially arrived – and what a beautiful arrival it was, especially since it was Father’s Day on Sunday as well. I hope everyone had a chance to enjoy some time with family, friends, and a little sunshine on the longest day of the year. Since the office was also closed for Juneteenth, it felt like a three-day weekend. Now it's time to get back to work, so here's a look at what's been happening in higher education recently.

BIGGEST COLLEGE-RELATED NEWS OF THE WEEK

WISCONSIN ENDS GRANT PROGRAM FOR MINORITY STUDENTS

The Wisconsin Supreme Court has just unanimously ruled to end its minority grant program following the precedent set by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2023. Established in 1985, the grant program provided financial support for minority students, but as the vice president of the Wisconsin Institute for Law and Liberty argued, “Race cannot be used to dole out scholarships and other financial aid.” Supporters of the ruling argue that it favors taxpayers who can now challenge other race-based programs in the court; but some court justices, even after voting to end the program, still acknowledge the racial disparities in the state and uneven access to education faced by many students of color.

COLLEGE ATHLETES SHINE IN WORLD CUP

With so much attention on the World Cup this year, especially with the US serving as one of the three host countries, it’s pretty cool to see just how many players have connections to college soccer. That may reflect a uniquely American perspective, since soccer often takes a backseat here to basketball and football (well, American football!), but globally the World Cup remains the biggest sporting event in the world. The NCAA recently highlighted the many collegiate athletes who found their way into this important international competition through college soccer. The list is extensive, and it highlights the important role college soccer plays in developing World Cup talent – as the NCAA puts it, such representation is “a powerful reminder that the pathway to the FIFA World Cup increasingly runs through college campuses.”

FLORIDA APPROVES CONTROVERSIAL CAMPUS TRANSFER

In a move that sparked strong reactions across Florida higher education, Governor Ron DeSantis has backed the transfer of the Sarasota-Manatee campus of the University of South Florida to New College of Florida as part of a broader effort to reshape higher education in the state. The transfer has now been approved and will be implemented over the coming years through a teach-out process for current USF students. Supporters argue the move is part of a broader effort to reshape higher education, while critics – especially students and faculty of the USF school as well as area businesses – argue it reflects political priorities rather than privileging the needs of the community. The Sarasota-Manatee campus has been a thriving part of the area’s economy and overall well-being, with important programs in nursing, hospitality, and tourism. De Santis’s plan has created a lot of uncertainty about what this transition will mean over the long term. Critics have also questioned the cost of the project and the process behind the decision. At the very least, presently-enrolled students have been promised the right to finish their degree programs before the transition.

EXTREME MEASURES IN INDIA TO ENSURE FAIR TESTING

Well, if you thought some of our security procedures to ensure fair standardized testing were intense, it looks even more strict in India right now. A college entrance exam for prospective medical students was cancelled earlier this year after allegations that the exam had been leaked on a messaging app called Telegram. Now, the government has increased security measures for the rescheduled exam, including military involvement and temporary restrictions on access to Telegram in the days surrounding the test. Critics argue that these steps are excessive and raise some legal concerns – but India has actually shut down the internet across entire cities during major exams before, so extraordinary measures are not uncommon despite the disruption to local communities. And given that over 2 million people are competing for just 10,000 seats in medical schools across the country, I can sort of see the logic – although I’m grateful we don’t take things that far in the U.S.!

BEST ARTICLES OF THE WEEK

As college tuition continues to soar and the current administration demands reform in higher ed, the public is left wondering: what is the real purpose of college, anyway? Not only is that an excellent question, but it’s one that many colleges and universities are increasingly trying to answer for themselves and for the public. Skepticism about higher education has been growing for years, with concerns ranging from cost and career outcomes to questions about the role of universities in their communities. In response, several academic institutions are becoming more vocal about their goals and the steps they are taking to address growing doubts about the mission of higher ed. A statement from the Association of American Universities, for instance, “emphasized that universities serve the public interest through research that drives the economy, cures diseases, and protects military service members, as well as through teaching that trains the next generation of leaders.” At the same time, universities are also emphasizing the importance of remaining independent from political pressures, especially to ensure that research funding and grants are awarded fairly and free from political influence.

In a similar vein, Fox News highlighted several ways that colleges might work to rebuild that public trust. One major theme was communication and community involvement, especially engaging local high schools. They gave the example of Indianapolis, where improvements in college counseling and local education initiatives have led to better student preparation for college; students with a 3.0 GPA or higher are also automatically enrolled at IU Indianapolis. Meanwhile, they argue that colleges need to get ahead of the AI concerns, ensuring they are clear about how they will prepare students to use these emerging technologies while also helping them navigate a changing job market – and helping the public understand that the threats may not be as dire as many assume. More broadly, they stressed the need for colleges to ensure that they are offering the right skills for the job market in order to justify tuition. Needless to say, it’s a really interesting moment in higher education. Given the price tag, I think it’s quite reasonable for families to want colleges to better articulate what they stand for and what they’re offering their students in return.

The kind of community involvement they recommend is, in some ways, exactly what Colby College is doing in the state of Maine – but in a slightly different way. After the charming little fishing village of Port Clyde was destroyed in a fire in 2023, the community was devastated. When the initial plans to restore the picturesque tourist destination fell through, Colby College stepped in. But the plan isn’t just restoration; it’s an entirely new vision for the village, one that will encourage growth while also affording the school itself new opportunities that align with its long-term goals. Colby plans to transform the village into an academic and research center focused on finding solutions to natural disasters and global climate change. And it’s not the first time the college has invested in surrounding communities, drawing on previous redevelopment successes in nearby Waterville and on Allen and Benner Islands. While some area residents are unsure what the future holds for Port Clyde, Colby is committed to ensuring that residents have a voice in the future.

OFFICE HAPPENINGS

After that refreshing long weekend, we’re back and busier than ever, helping students put the final touches on their Common App essays and getting our generic supplemental essays ready and in good shape for repurposing – and keeping the World Cup on in the background, of course!