dotEDU: Higher Education Policy Explained

In the first dotEDU Live of 2024, hosts Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer discuss how the 2024 presidential election might impact higher education. They also delve into problems with the new FAFSA, the latest House Higher Education Act reauthorization bill, short-term Pell, and more.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or [email protected].

Here are some of the links and references from this week's show:

House Dysfunction by the Numbers: 724 Votes, Only 27 Laws Enacted The New York Times | Dec. 29, 2023 Higher Education in Political Crosshairs as 2024 Election Heats Up Inside Higher Ed | Jan. 16, 2024 FAFSA Rollout Off to a Rocky Start The Washington Post | Jan. 2, 2024 House, Senate Pass Short-Term Bill Averting Government Shutdown Until March The Washington Post | Jan. 18, 2024 Ed Dept Funding Levels Maintained as Biden Signs 3rd Stopgap for FY 24 Higher Ed Dive | Jan. 22, 2024 House Republicans to Broaden Higher Education Inquiry Beyond Antisemitism The New York Times | Jan. 5, 2024 Growing Number of Colleges Face Federal Investigations for Antisemitism Insight into Diversity | Jan. 19, 2024 The College Cost Reduction Act: What You Need to Know American Council on Education | Jan. 19, 2024 House Committee Approves Bills on Short-Term Pell, WIOA Reauthorization American Council on Education | Dec. 18, 2023 2 Final Title IX Regulations Will Likely Be Delayed — Again Higher Ed Dive | Jan. 19, 2024 How a Fishery Case Fits into a Long-Game Effort to Sap Regulation of Business The New York Times | Jan. 17, 2024

As higher education enters the new year under heightened scrutiny from legislators, campuses are getting back to business. Jon, Sarah, and Mushtaq are thrilled to speak with ACE Board member and American University President Sylvia Burwell as she prepares to finish out her final year at the helm of the Washington, DC, campus. She talks about the challenges she faced during her tenure and what she thinks are the biggest changes higher ed has faced over that time.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or [email protected].

Here are some of the links and references from this week's show:

Congress Has a Deal to Fund the Government and Not Much Time to Pass It The Washington Post (sub. req.) | Jan 7, 2024

House Republicans Plot Swift Impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Mayorkas as Moderates Signal Support CNN | Jan. 7, 2024

The Big Questions Looming Over the Iowa Caucuses: Here's What to Expect The New York Times (sub. req.) | Jan. 9, 2024

Claudine Gay: What Just Happened at Harvard Is Bigger Than Me The New York Times (sub. req.) | Jan. 3, 2024

American University President to Step Down After the Coming School Year The Washington Post (sub. req.) | Aug. 8, 2023

College Presidents Are Still Overwhelmingly White Men Higher Ed Dive | April 14, 2023

Most New Presidents at Top Research Universities Are Now Women The Chronicle of Higher Education (sub. req.) | May 31, 2023

AU Launches 'Change Can't Wait' $500 Million Comprehensive Fundraising Campaign American University | May 12, 2021

Changemakers for a Changing World American University

AU Welcomes District Scholars American University | June 2, 2020

In the final episode of the year, hosts Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer discuss the top higher education issues of 2023. The overarching theme is working through the chaos in Washington, and the lineup includes student loan forgiveness, the Supreme Court's decision on race in admissions, institutional accountability, the uptick in international students, and more.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or [email protected].

Here are some of the links and references from this week's show:

Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy to Exit Congress, Along With a Flock of Other Lawmakers Nevada Current | Dec. 6, 2023

After House Hearing on Campus Antisemitism, College Presidents Are Under Fire NPR | Dec. 8, 2023

A New Legal Blitz on Affirmative Action Inside Higher Ed | Sept. 20, 2023

Reforming Higher Education, One Bill at a Time Inside Higher Ed | Nov. 9, 2023

House Committee to Mark Up Short-Term Pell Grant Bill ACE | Dec. 11, 2023

Summary: The DETERRENT Act ACE | Nov. 9, 2023

Letter to the State Department on Visa Interview Waivers ACE | Dec. 8, 2023

A 'Near-Record' International Student Surge Inside Higher Ed | Nov. 13, 2023

Jon, Sarah, and Mushtaq are thrilled to mark the 100th episode milestone of dotEDU! Also, ACE President Ted Mitchell joins Mushtaq and Jon to dive into the upcoming changes to the renowned Carnegie Classifications along with Timothy Knowles, president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or [email protected].

Here are some of the links and references from this week's show:

Carnegie Classifications To Make Major Changes in How Colleges and Universities Are Grouped and Recognized, Set Clear Threshold for Highest Level of Research American Council on Education | Nov. 1, 2023 A New Approach to Categorizing Colleges Inside Higher Ed | Nov. 1, 2023 Changes to the Next Iteration of the Carnegie Classifications: We Want Your Feedback Carnegie Classifications | Nov. 1, 2023 The Carnegie Foundation and the American Council on Education Announce Partnership on the Carnegie Classifications for Institutions of Higher Education American Council on Education | Feb. 9, 2022

Hosts Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer are joined by their ACE colleague Steven Bloom to discuss how the never-ending threats of a government shutdown are impacting funding legislation for higher education. They look at the Education Department's proposed timeline for the new FAFSA and what's left for Congress to deal with after the Thanksgiving holiday, and Steven shares insight into the Department of Labor's proposed policy to switch up overtime pay requirements.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or [email protected].

Here are some of the links and references from this week's show:

House Passes Funding Bill To Avert Government Shutdown The Washington Post (sub. req.) | Nov. 14, 2023

House Education Budget Cuts Federal Work-Study, Other Programs Inside Higher Ed | Nov. 7, 2023

Colleges Predict Tuition Increases, Layoffs Under Proposed Overtime Rule Inside Higher Ed | Nov. 13, 2023

House Republicans Blame DEI Programs for Rise in Campus Antisemitism Inside Higher Ed | Nov. 15, 2023

Overhaul of Widely Used College Financial Aid Form Could Make it a 10-Minute Process ABC News | Nov. 15, 2023

Final Title IX Rules Delayed Once More as Education Department Misses Deadline Higher Ed Dive | Nov. 1, 2023

College Hazing Under Scrutiny in New Bipartisan Legislation USA Today | Oct. 24, 2023

Cynthia Teniente-Matson, president of San José State University, joins the podcast to talk about her first year at the California campus in the heart of Silicon Valley, particularly how to create equitable spaces at public institutions. But first, ACE President Ted Mitchell talks about campus protests over the war in Israel and Gaza and how presidents are responding.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or [email protected].

Here are some of the links and references from this week's show:

Fear and Anger Spread on Campuses as Protesters' Rhetoric and Actions Escalate Inside Higher Ed | Oct. 27, 2023

Biden Administration Announces Measures to Combat Antisemitism on U.S. Campuses CBS News | Oct. 30, 2023

Carnegie Classifications to Make Major Changes in How Colleges and Universities Are Grouped and Recognized, Set Clear Threshold for Highest Level of Research ACE | Nov. 1, 2023

Cynthia Teniente-Matson Appointed President of San José State University The California State University| Nov. 16, 2022

Deep Dive in Five With SJSU Cares San José State University | Nov. 8, 2022

Silicon Valley's Vast Wealth Disparity Deepens as Poverty Increased Cal Matters | Feb. 27, 2023

Report: Silicon Valley Latinos face ongoing struggles San José Spotlight | June 13, 2023

ACE Comments on How Campuses Are Using AI And the Role of Government Oversight American Council on Education | Sept. 22, 2023

Hosts Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer discuss the House speaker race and its implications for the packed agenda—such as the ongoing spending battle—in Congress, as well as its impact on the Biden administration. Then Heidi Tseu, ACE's newly appointed assistant vice president of national engagement, drops by to talk about the increased scrutiny higher education is facing at the state level.

Here are some of the links and references from this week's show:

Jordan Defeated Again for Speaker as Republican Stalemate Deepens The New York Times (sub. req.) | Oct. 18, 2023

As House Goes Into Second Weekend Without New Speaker, Moderate House Democrats Propose Expanding Temporary Speaker's Powers CBS News | Oct. 15, 2023

Negotiated Rulemaking for Higher Education 2023-2024 U.S. Department of Education

Ed Department: Mass Loan Cancellation Is off the Table Inside Higher Ed | Oct. 11, 2023

Education Department Offers More Insights Into New Debt Relief Plan Inside Higher Ed | Oct. 12, 2023

House Bill Would Overhaul Foreign Gift Reporting Requirements Inside Higher Ed | Oct. 12, 2023

ACE Launches Office on National Engagement ACE | Sept. 11, 2023

Scott Jaschik, formerly of Inside Higher Ed, joins the podcast to talk about what he sees as the top 10 leading trends shaping higher education this year and his predictions for what's ahead. But first, the hosts dive into the chaos happening in Congress this week, as the House tries to carry on without a Speaker while facing a looming shutdown. They also look at what the new gainful employment rule means for institutions and give a sneak peek at the changes ahead for the Carnegie Classifications.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or [email protected].

Here are some of the links and references from this week's show:

Kevin McCarthy Ousted as House Speaker in Historic Vote

Reuters | Oct. 4, 2023

Congress Narrowly Averts Shutdown as House Democrats Help Pass Stopgap Bill

The New York Times (sub. req.) | Sept. 30, 2023

Game On, Again, for Gainful Employment

Inside Higher Ed | Sept. 27, 2023

Reflection on a Year Studying Carnegie's Basic Classification and a Look Ahead

Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education I Sept. 21, 2023

Interview:

What Voters Think of the Affirmative Action Ruling

Morning Consult | July 11, 2023

Judge Allows Grant Program for Black Female Entrepreneurs to Continue

The Washington Post (sub. req.) | Sept. 26, 2023

Students of Color Are Not Ok. Here's How Colleges Can Support Them.

The Chronicle of Higher Education (sub. req.) | July 6, 2020

Looming Enrollment Cliff Poses Serious Threat to Colleges

BestColleges | Jan. 27, 2023

College Cost Transparency Initiative

Hundreds of Colleges Vow to Boost Transparency in Financial Aid Offers

The Hill | Sept. 27, 2023

Biden-Harris Administration Begins Discharges for 804,000 Borrowers With $39 Billion in Automatic Loan Forgiveness as a Result of Fixes to Income-Driven Repayment Plans

U.S. Department of Education | Aug. 14, 2023

Biden Administration Moves Ahead With New Plan to Cancel Student Debt

CNBC | Sept. 29, 2023

West Virginia University Makes Wide-Ranging Cuts to Academic Programs and Faculty

The Associated Press | Sept. 15, 2023

Community Colleges Face Low Enrollment, Dismal Completion Rates

PBS | Apr. 3, 2023

A government shutdown is looming on the horizon, and ACE's Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer are back to answer your questions and break down what this means for the higher education community, as well as other issues on this fall's policy agenda.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or [email protected].

Here are some of the links and references from this week's show:

Democrats Move to Suspend Senate Rules to Advance Stalled Spending Bill The Hill | Sept. 18, 2023 House GOP Considers Stopgap Spending Bill to Avert a Shutdown The New York Times (sub. req.) | Sept. 17, 2023 Government Shutdowns and Higher Education American Council on Education Federal Budget Uncertainty Casts Doubt on the Fate of Federal Work-Study, Funding for Other Higher Ed Programs American Council on Education | Sept. 8, 2023

Survey on the implementation of proposed regulations for digital accessibility-due by Sept. 22 American Council on Education

Federal Judge Again Rules DACA Is Illegal The New York Times (sub. req.) | Sept. 13, 2023 U.S. Posts August Budget Surplus After Student Loan Cost Reversal Reuters | Sept. 13, 2023 Federal Student Loan Borrowers Prepare to Resume Repaying Their Loans NPR | Sept. 18, 2023 'Highly Disruptive': Proposed Overtime Rules Raise Concerns Inside Higher Ed | Sept. 6, 2023 ACE Launches Office on National Engagement American Council on Education | Sept. 11, 2023

Hosts Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer are once again joined by Justin Draeger, president and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, to talk about what is happening on campuses in terms of financial aid now that the Supreme Court has struck down race-conscious admissions and the Biden administration's student loan forgiveness plan in back-to-back rulings.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or [email protected].

Here are some of the links and references from this week's show:

dotEDU Live: The Supreme Court's Ruling on Race and Admissions

Webinar: The Supreme Court Speaks: Understanding the Implications of Race-Conscious Admission Decision NASFAA

Student Loan Repayment Toolkit NASFAA

Supreme Court Rejects Race-Based Affirmative Action in College Admissions The Washington Post (sub. req.) | June 29, 2023

After Supreme Court's Affirmative Action Ruling, Race-Based Scholarships Under Scrutiny USA Today | July 6, 2023

Supreme Court Blocks Biden's Student Loan Forgiveness Program CNN | June 30, 2023

Biden's Plan B on Student Loan Forgiveness Relies on Higher Education Act: What to Know ABC News | July 5, 2023

Biden Administration Gives Student Loan Borrowers Some Leeway When Payments Restart CNBC | July 5, 2023

Inside Joe Biden's New Student Loan Repayment Plan Politico | July 5, 2023