The Review | Essay
Higher Ed’s Ruinous Resistance to Change
The academy excels at preserving the status quo. It’s time to evolve.
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'We Must Advance a New Vision'
Citing ‘Unprecedented’ Financial Challenges, Miami U. Tells Low-Enrollment Majors to Change
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The Review | Essay
What’s Behind the Freud Resurgence?
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The Review | Opinion
Want Social Mobility? Reforming Elite College Admissions Won’t Get Us There.
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The Public-Perception Puzzle
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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
On the corruption of the secular ideals of the academy by religious orthodoxy.
September 25, 2023
Teaching
An instructor describes how his writing students reacted after he had them use AI to write an essay.
September 21, 2023
Latitudes
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
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Virtual Events
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New Strategic Directions for Student Success
UPCOMING: September 27, 2023 | 2 p.m. ET: Ensuring positive student outcomes is a challenge for colleges. Join us to learn more about strategies for achieving that goal. With Support From Ellucian. Register here. -
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 are increasingly working with agencies to improve international enrollment. In this forum, experts will discuss the partnerships’ benefits and challenges. With Support From ICEF. Register here.
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Professional-Development Resources
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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
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Gutting Language Departments Would Be a Disaster
Once a program is gone, it is very difficult and expensive to bring it back. -
The ‘New Science of History’ Is Bunk
Two new books model radically different ways of studying the past. -
AI Means Professors Need to Raise Their Grading Standards
ChatGPT has transformed grade inflation from a minor corruption to an enterprise-destroying blight. -
Letters to the Editor
Read the latest letters to the editor about our articles and about topics we have covered.
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Data
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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. -
How Diverse Are College Staff Members?
Statistical snapshots of minority employees, from 2018 to 2021.
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Advice
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Why I’m Wary of Publishing Advice, but Will Offer It Anyway
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?
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
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
How to deal with one of the top sources of departmental conflict. -
What Do You Need in Your Next President?
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’?
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.
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.
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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.
