Welcome to The Chronicle’s third annual Trends Report. With the political uncertainties of the Trump administration, it’s a dicey business trying to project into the future these days. Last year our Trends Report reflected the growing upheaval in higher education; this year it reflects broader tensions evident throughout the nation — for example, the need to combat fake news, the growing activism among athletes, the movement to protect undocumented students, and the cultural divide that is widely seen as separating academe from rural America. It’s worth noting that several trends relate to how colleges are trying to bridge differences, whether political, racial, or socioeconomic.
In our coverage of 10 key shifts in higher education, we examine what’s working and what’s not, and we offer case studies, commentary, and resources you can use to take action or start a conversation on your own campus. We think of this as a briefing on what college leaders need to know. But for the foreseeable future, it seems, college leaders are also going to need patience, agility, and good reflexes.
Here are the 10 trends our reporters, editors, and sources have identified for 2017:
A growing movement to teach students to separate fact from fiction. After a divisive election in which false news played a large role, many academics believe they must stand up for reasoned discourse, scientific evidence, and even truth itself.
Displays of activism by college athletes. College athletes are increasingly using their power to protest not only social injustice but also perceived financial inequities. They’re taking a knee, threatening not to play, and, in the case of one team, providing a display of unity with fans of all backgrounds.
Efforts to provide a safety net for hungry and even homeless students. Often surprised by the numbers of financially needy students on their campuses, more colleges are creating food pantries and short-term financial help to help them get by.
An increased demand for cybersecurity programs at all levels. Colleges can’t produce enough graduates to keep up with the job market. The field’s importance was underscored by security leaks during the election, but many experts say the best programs provide students with a broad education, not just instruction in coding.
The designation of campuses as “sanctuaries” to protect undocumented students. Some colleges are pledging to protect such students in the wake of President Trump’s promise to crack down on illegal immigration, while other institutions, wary of the label, are looking for different ways to help.
Efforts to bridge the cultural divide that many believe separates academics and people from rural and conservative backgrounds. Some colleges are responding to the complaint that they’re liberal bubbles, even as many academics renew their resolve to defend academic values, diversity, climate-change research, and more.
The need for careful assessment of admissions policies designed to advance diversity. After the Supreme Court ruled that colleges could use race as one of many factors in admissions if they could demonstrate the educational value of the approach, more institutions have been collecting data to make sure their programs could withstand a legal challenge.
Confronting an institution’s history. Colleges are finding that they can no longer ignore troubling parts of their past, such as a history of slaveholding.
More emphasis on the rights of the accused in Title IX sexual-misconduct cases. After the Education Department recently found, in an apparent first, that an accused student had not received due process in an investigation, some observers predicted a greater emphasis on due process. While it is unclear how the Trump administration will handle oversight of such cases, many colleges say they will not back off.
Increased efforts to limit sexual harassment within the academic profession. Many colleges and scholarly groups are becoming more vigilant about preventing harassment of female scholars. They’re emphasizing schmoozing over boozing, planning wholesome group activities, like hiking, and raising the issue at their annual meetings.
We hope you find The Trends Report helpful. Let us know what you think at chronicle.com/trends.
