The Chronicle of Higher Education | Higher Ed News, Opinion, & Advice

illustration of a hand attempting to move things around on a campus, while another hand stops it

The Review | Essay

Higher Ed’s Ruinous Resistance to Change

The academy excels at preserving the status quo. It’s time to evolve.

The Latest

Federal Policy

Here’s How the Government Plans to Crack Down on Colleges’ Ineffective Career Programs
Reviewers' Little Helper

‘We’re All Using It’: Publishing Decisions Are Increasingly Aided by AI. That’s Not Always Obvious.
The Review | Opinion

The Court’s Affirmative-Action Ban is a Gift in Disguise
'We Must Advance a New Vision'

Citing ‘Unprecedented’ Financial Challenges, Miami U. Tells Low-Enrollment Majors to Change
'Losing Bits of Us'

Colleges Need to Protect Valuable Collections From Climate Change. A New Project Aims to Help.
The Review | Essay

What’s Behind the Freud Resurgence?

More Stories

The Public-Perception Puzzle

Who Should Shape What Colleges Teach? Not the Government, Most Americans Say.

A new Chronicle poll shows bipartisan support for giving internal actors the most influence on the curriculum. But it also reveals deep political divides on other questions about higher ed.
What the Public Really Thinks About Higher Education

Americans still believe in the value of a college credential, but they aren’t convinced higher education is fulfilling its promise to society, The Chronicle’s national survey shows.
Why Transferring Credits Can Be One of Higher Ed’s Most Stubborn Barriers

Bureaucracy, institutional self-interest, and seemingly minor systemic snags can make moving from community college through a four-year institution almost unbearably difficult.
Can a National Marketing Campaign Change the Souring Conversation About College?

Higher ed has an image problem.

Featured Newsletters

The Review

Hamline’s Leadership Triples Down Against Academic Freedom

By Len Gutkin

On the corruption of the secular ideals of the academy by religious orthodoxy.

September 25, 2023

Teaching

Want Your Students to Be Skeptical of ChatGPT? Try This.

By Beth McMurtrie

An instructor describes how his writing students reacted after he had them use AI to write an essay.

September 21, 2023

Latitudes

In Russia, the Liberal Arts Are the Latest Casualty

By Karin Fischer

One of Russia’s most prominent liberal-arts programs is shutting down. Plus, what’s next after West Virginia University cut foreign languages?

September 20, 2023

Virtual Events

The Faculty Experience With Incarcerated Students

UPCOMING: October 4, 2023 | 2 p.m. ET: With more academics likely to teach incarcerated or formerly incarcerated students in the years ahead, what should faculty members know? With Support From Ascendium. Register here.
Supporting Student Success: Tools and Strategies

UPCOMING: October 5, 2023 | 2 p.m. ET: What systems and tools are colleges using to improve student success — and how are they doing so across campus roles? With Support From Mongoose Research. Register here.
Making International Agents Work for You

UPCOMING: October 12, 2023 | 2 p.m. ET: Colleges increasingly work with agencies on international enrollment. In this forum, experts will discuss the partnerships’ benefits and challenges. With Support From ICEF. Register here.
New Strategic Directions for Student Success

ON DEMAND: Ensuring positive student outcomes is a challenge for colleges. Join us to learn more about strategies for achieving that goal. With Support From Ellucian. Watch on demand.

Professional-Development Resources

Professional-Development Resources

Visit The Chronicle’s professional-development resources page to read stories from Chronicle journalists and contributors, and to explore videos and research briefs on a variety of topics.
The Chair’s Role in the Continuing Pandemic

George Justice discusses how department chairs are continuing to deal with Covid on campus, and how they’re dealing with the added pressures of leading through the pandemic. Video provided by Dever Justice LLC.
Managing Up

Carolyn Dever tackles how managing up is a challenge for all department chairs, and how to navigate these difficulties, providing pro tips on how to approach your dean or provost. Video provided by Dever Justice LLC.
Seven Practices for Building Community and Student Belonging Virtually

Most colleges have traditionally provided in-person programming and supports to strengthen bonds between students and build community. This research brief was originally published by Ithaka S+R.

The Review

In Defense of the Beleaguered Academic Book Review

By Carolyn Eastman

The genre is uncompensated and unrewarded. That should change.
Gutting Language Departments Would Be a Disaster

By Rebecca L. Walkowitz

Once a program is gone, it is very difficult and expensive to bring it back.
The ‘New Science of History’ Is Bunk

By Jacob Mikanowski

Two new books model radically different ways of studying the past.
Letters to the Editor

Read the latest letters to the editor about our articles and about topics we have covered.

Data

Here Are 4 Things to Know About the ‘Classic’ Entrance Exam That’s Now Accepted in Florida

The Classic Learning Test is accepted chiefly by small private religious institutions. Now 12 public universities in Florida do, too.
Which College Groups Have the Highest Enrollment?

Statistical snapshots of bachelor’s degrees conferred by colleges in 32 disciplines over time, from 2018 to 2020.
Higher Ed’s Work-Force-Retention Problems Aren’t Going Away

More than half of staff members said they’re at least somewhat likely to look for a new job in the coming year, a new survey finds.

Advice

Why I’m Wary of Publishing Advice, but Will Offer It Anyway

By Rebecca Colesworthy

An acquisitions editor debunks four common myths and misconceptions about this central aspect of academic life.
Gen Z Is Ready to Talk. Are Professors Ready to Listen?

By Melinda S. Zook

How a successful gen-ed program is using the humanities to reach this very different generation of students.
How to Tailor Your Cover Letters for Faculty Jobs

By Jennifer S. Furlong and Stacy M. Hartman

It’s not easy to customize application letters. You’ll spend a lot of time asking yourself, “Am I doing this right?”
Ask the Chair: Brokering a Generational Stalemate

By Kevin Dettmar

How to deal with one of the top sources of departmental conflict.
What Do You Need in Your Next President?

By Suzanne Teer

Too many leadership searches cut short the planning phase, which can be a missed opportunity and a time-consuming mistake.
But What if You Can’t Quit Your ‘Dead-End Job’?

By Maria LaMonaca Wisdom

Advice from a faculty coach on how to revive your static career.

Special Report

Package

The Trends Report 2023

If anyone still thought we could gaze, soothsayer-like, into the future in order to meet it fully prepared, Covid-19 humbled us.

But we can try to understand the forces shaping higher ed, what’s behind them, and how we can meet this moment effectively.

We hope this annual issue will help you do just that.

You Didn’t Apply, but We Admitted You Anyway

New experiments are short-circuiting admissions. Here’s why they matter.
Students Demand Endless Flexibility

But is it what they need? There are limits to how much faculty members can bend.
Flagships Prosper While Regionals Wither

The gap is widening. Who wants to attend a hollowed-out college or university?
Everyone Is Talking About ‘Belonging’

But what does it really mean? A sense of belonging is elusive.
The Climate-Conscious College

Curricula are being updated to inspire action, not just fear.
Other Developments to Watch

Here are some other higher-ed trends we’re tracking.