dotEDU: Higher Education Policy Explained

Latest Episodes:

dotEDU Live: Navigating the Current Landscape of College Sports Jun 13, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, ACE General Counsel Peter McDonough joins us to delve into the turbulent developments in college sports over the past year. Jon and Sarah then discuss recent House action on campus protests, the status of the FAFSA for the upcoming award year, and why higher ed should be watching the National Defense Authorization Act.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or email podcast@acenet.edu.

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

NCAA, Leagues Back $2.8 Billion Settlement, Setting Stage for Current, Former Athletes To Be Paid Associated Press | May 23, 2024

College Athletes Barred From Employment Status in New GOP Bill Bloomberg Law | May 23, 2024

Covid-era Funding for Schools Ending Soon Politico | June 10, 2024

A Potential Path Forward for Pell Grant Expansion Inside Higher Ed | June 11, 2024

Navigating the FAFSA Crisis: A Timeline American Council on Education

The State of Student Affairs: Mental Health, Campus Protests, and Supporting Students Jun 06, 2024

Show notes

NASPA President Kevin Kruger joins the podcast to talk about the challenges facing students—and student affairs professionals—in 2024. On the agenda: the spring protests over the war in Gaza, student mental health, DEI, and how student affairs can support students during this time of almost unprecedented challenge.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or email podcast@acenet.edu.

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

Centering Students in Our Draft Framework for the Carnegie Social and Economic Mobility Classification Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education | May 13, 2024

Webinar: Carnegie Classifications: Social and Economic Mobility Framework Update Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education | June 3, 2024

PTSD Has Surged Among College Students The New York Times (sub. req.) | May 30, 2024

ACE Resources on Campus Mental Health and Well-being

Center for Collegiate Mental Health 2023 Annual Report Penn State

Eating Disorders Among Teens More Severe Than Ever NBC News | April 19, 2023

2023 Top Risks Report: Insights for Higher Education United Educators

Faculty Guide to Supporting Student Mental Health The Jed Foundation

dotEDU Live: How Congress Is Responding to Campus Unrest May 16, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer discuss the campus protests that have been making headlines nationwide and how Congress and the Biden administration are responding to these concerns in Washington.

They also talk about state challenges to the new Title IX regulations, some positive news regarding the rollout of the new FAFSA, a congressional hearing on legislation to help DACA recipients, and more.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or email podcast@acenet.edu.

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

House Passes Antisemitism Bill With Broad Bipartisan Support Amid Campus Arrests NBC News | May 1, 2024

Bill Summary: The Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023 (H.R. 6090/S. 4127) American Council on Education

Dear Colleague Letter: Protecting Students from Discrimination, such as Harassment, Based on Race, Color, or National Origin, Including Shared Ancestry or Ethnic Characteristics Department of Education | May 7, 2024

The Campus Speech vs. Safety Tightrope: A Conversation With Fred Lawrence American Council on Education | May 13, 2024

Education Department Boosts FAFSA Outreach Efforts to Close Completion Gap Higher Ed Dive | May 6, 2024

Dreamers Urge Protections in Senate Hearing on Immigrant Youth NBC News | May 8, 2024

US Committee Targets Georgia Tech's Alleged Ties to Chinese Military Linked Research Reuters | May 9, 2024

2024 Changes to the Title IX Regulations: What Campuses Need to Know Now American Council on Education | April 29, 2024

Resources on Title IX and Campus Sexual Assault Regulations American Council on Education

Over 20 GOP-Led States Sue Biden Administration Over Title IX Rules for LGBTQ Students NBC News | May 8, 2024

Political Standoff Over Title IX Puts Red State Colleges in No-Win Situation Inside Higher Ed | May 14, 2024

The Campus Speech vs. Safety Tightrope: A Conversation with Fred Lawrence May 13, 2024

Show notes

In a special episode, Fred Lawrence, secretary and CEO of Phi Beta Kappa, returns to dotEDU to help explain how tensions between free speech and campus safety can lead to the unrest happening at some campuses in response to the war in Gaza. He also addresses how campus communities of different viewpoints can and should move forward to address conflicts before crises start.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or email podcast@acenet.edu.

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

How Campus Protests of the Past May Inform Pro-Palestinian Student Demonstrations ABC News | May 6, 2024

Negotiate? Call in the Police? University Presidents Try Range of Tactics as Protests Roil Campuses The Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) | May 1, 2024

How Student Protests Are Changing College Graduations NPR | May 7, 2024

Generating the Future: Exploring AI in Higher Education May 02, 2024

Show notes

In this episode, ACE hosts Jon and Sarah, alongside special guests Lev Gonick, chief information officer of Arizona State University, and ACE's Derrick Anderson, delve into the dynamic world of generative AI in higher education. They unpack its benefits, from personalized learning to groundbreaking research, while candidly discussing the challenges, including ethical considerations, implementation, and regulation hurdles. Listen for an insightful exploration of how generative AI is shaping the future of academia and more.

Credit: The previous paragraph was generated by an AI language model.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or email podcast@acenet.edu.

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

Nearly 300 People Arrested at Campus Protests Against the War in Gaza this Weekend NPR | April 28, 2024 Schools Try to Balance Freedom of Speech and Security During Student Protests All Things Considered (NPR) | April 23, 2024 Richard Cordray Takes the Fall for FAFSA Fiasco Inside Higher Ed | April 28, 2024 Biden Administration's Final Title IX Rule Goes into Effect Aug. 1 American Council on Education | April 22, 2024 2024 Changes to the Title IX Regulations: What Campuses Need to Know Now American Council on Education | April 29, 2024 Why Conservatives Want New Title IX Rule Blocked Inside Higher Ed | April 25, 2024 Arizona State University Collaboration with OpenAI Charts the Future of AI in Higher Education Arizona State University | Jan. 18, 2024 AI Can Transform the Classroom Just Like the Calculator Scientific American | April 17, 2024

Comments to OMB on Agency Use of Artificial Intelligence American Council on Education | Dec. 5, 2023

dotEDU Live: Budget Battles, FAFSA Fails, and Biden's New Loan Forgiveness Plan Apr 18, 2024

Show notes

With Congress back from spring break, Jon and Sarah look at what's on the agenda in DC, including a House Education and the Workforce Committee hearing on "FAFSA Fail," President Biden's newly unveiled student loan forgiveness plan, and Education Secretary Miguel Cardona's testimony on Biden's education budget request. They also preview the latest House hearing on antisemitism, which focused on Columbia University.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or email podcast@acenet.edu.

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

FAFSA Fallout on Capitol Hill Inside Higher Ed | April 10, 2024

After the FAFSA Quake, a Flood of Corrections Inside Higher Ed | April 15, 2024

Navigating the FAFSA Crisis: A Timeline American Council on Education

New Data: FAFSA Completions Down 40% Through End of March National College Attainment Network | April 8, 2024

Student Aid Woes Stalk Education Secretary in Appearance on Capitol Hill The New York Times (sub. req.) | April 10, 2024

What to Know About Biden's New Student Loan Forgiveness Plan The Washington Post (sub. req.) | April 8, 2024

Columbia Leaders Face Scrutiny From Lawmakers on Campus Antisemitism The Washington Post (sub. req.) | April 17, 2024

Final Overtime Rule Clears White House Review Higher Ed Dive | April 12, 2024

College Admissions in 2024: "A Year Like No Other" Apr 08, 2024

Show notes

Hosts Jon and Mushtaq are joined by ACE President Ted Mitchell to examine the complexities of college admissions in 2024. They discuss the potentially devastating impacts of the problems with the redesigned FAFSA form, reflect on the repercussions of the 2023 Supreme Court ruling on race in admissions, and examine the issues surrounding legacy admissions and the resurgence of standardized testing requirements.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or email podcast@acenet.edu.

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

As Colleges Receive FAFSA Records, Some Ask: 'How Do We Trust This Data?' The Washington Post (sub. req.) | March 31, 2024

NCAN's FAFSA Tracker National College Attainment Network

Extending Enrollment and Financial Aid Deadlines American Council on Education

Can You Create a Diverse College Class Without Affirmative Action? The New York Times (sub. req.) | March 9, 2024

OPINION: Banning Legacy Admissions Will Deliver Another Blow to the Children of Black Alumni The Hechinger Report | March 30, 2024

Why Elite Colleges Are Bringing the SAT Back Vox | Feb. 27, 2024

dotEDU Live: Student-Athlete Unions and the Mental Health Crisis in Higher Ed Mar 21, 2024

Show notes

ACE's Steven Bloom, assistant vice president of government relations, joins hosts Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer to explore the complicated relationship between student-athletes and unions. They also talk about efforts to get Congress focused on addressing the growing student mental health crisis on college campuses. Plus, they look at Congress' federal spending bill for FY 2024 and what it means for the Department of Education's spending levels.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or email podcast@acenet.edu.

Congress, White House Agree on Spending but May Still Miss Deadline The Washington Post | March 18, 2024 Biden Budget Proposes Pell Increase, Free Community College American Council on Education | March 13, 2024 Pell Grants Are in Trouble, Threatening Financial Aid for Low-Income College Students MarketWatch | March 12, 2024 Education Department Starts Sending Financial Aid Data to Colleges After Months of Delays Associated Press | March 12, 2024 House Republicans Float Bill to Require Free Speech on Campuses Inside Higher Ed | March 18, 2024 Dartmouth Players Are Employees Who Can Unionize, U.S. Official Says The New York Times | Feb. 5, 2024 House Republicans Warn Against College Athlete Unions Inside Higher Ed | March 13, 2024 House Holds Hearing on NLRB Student Athlete Ruling, ACE Submits Statement American Council on Education | March 13, 2024 ACE Holds Student Mental Health Briefing on Capitol Hill American Council on Education | March 11, 2024

FAFSA Glitch Puts Students, Colleges in Limbo Mar 01, 2024

Show notes

Hosts Jon and Mushtaq are joined by special repeat guest Justin Draeger, president and CEO of NASFAA, to talk about the Education Department's flawed rollout of the new FAFSA form and the implications for students and colleges as well as what happens next. They also dive into the proposed legislation that would extend Pell Grants to short-term career training programs.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or podcast@acenet.edu.

House Committee Approves Bills on Short-Term Pell, WIOA Reauthorization American Council on Education | Dec. 18, 2023

Department of Education Announces Steps to Make Better FAFSA® More Readily Accessible Diverse: Issues In Higher Education | Feb. 13, 2024

Education Department Says FAFSA Fix Is Coming for Social Security Issue USA Today | Feb. 20, 2024

OPINION: Every FAFSA Delay Puts College Further Out of Reach The New York Times (sub. req.) | Feb. 8, 2024

Extending Enrollment and Financial Aid Deadlines American Council on Education

dotEDU Live: Is Higher Education Act Reauthorization Finally Happening? Feb 22, 2024

Show notes

ACE's Emmanual Guillory, senior director of government relations, joins hosts Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer to talk about the College Cost Reduction Act—the new Higher Education Act reauthorization bill from House Republicans—as well as the status of funding the federal government for FY 2024 and the latest on the Department of Education's problematic FAFSA rollout.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or podcast@acenet.edu.

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

Senate Republicans Officially Block Foreign Aid Bill With Border Changes Politico | Feb. 7, 2024

House Committee Advances GOP Plan to Overhaul Higher Ed Inside Higher Ed | Feb. 1, 2024

Summary: The College Cost Reduction Act American Council on Education | Jan. 19, 2024

College Cost Transparency Initiative

Millions of College Students in Limbo After Aid Application Information Is Delayed Until March NBC News | Jan. 30, 2024

Some Colleges Are Pivoting as FAFSA Delays Drag On The New York Times (sub. req.) | Feb. 8, 2024

Extending Enrollment and Financial Aid Deadlines American Council on Education

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