Cover Story
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News
Hype vs. Reality at the MIT Media Lab
Among the research MIT courted Jeffrey Epstein to finance was a high-profile lab project called the “food computer.” It hasn’t exactly lived up to its billing.
Highlights
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Governance
Do Your New Trustees Have a Lot to Learn? ‘Flip’ Their Orientation
As boards grow more activist, some colleges hope to help new members better understand higher ed by jettisoning traditional orientations.
Commentary
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The Review
Is Meritocracy Hurting Higher Education?
Social mobility has stalled, and the public is losing trust. Time for universities to rethink their role in American life? -
The Review
Free Public College Is a Terrible Idea
While some low-income students would benefit, mostly it would increase inequality. -
Advice
How to Give an Excellent STEM Job Talk
For graduate students going on the faculty market, the job talk is where you can really shine — or very publicly fail.
Also In the Issue
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The Chronicle Interview
Field’s Top Young Scholar Asks, Why Don’t More Women Study Economics?
Emi Nakamura, who comes from a family of economists, won this year’s John Bates Clark Medal for the best American in her field under age 40. The Chronicle talked with her about gender imbalance in the discipline despite positive changes over time. -
Chronicle List
How Well Do Freshmen at Flagships Reflect the Share of Underrepresented Minorities in Their States?
Very few flagships enrolled American Indian, black, and Hispanic students at anywhere near their representation among 17- to 21-year-old residents in the state. -
News
Transitions: Delaware State U. Provost to Succeed the University’s First Female President
Wilma Mishoe plans to retire in December after leading Delaware State for over a year, first as interim president and then as president. -
Admissions
The Bribery Scandal Revealed Holes in Admissions Oversight. Now Some Professors Want to Take Back That Role.
Faculty members at Yale and the University of Southern California are looking to expand their involvement in admissions following this year’s Varsity Blues scandal. -
News
The Partisan Split Over Higher Ed? Maybe It’s Really About Who Should Pay for It
A new report found that while most Americans still value higher education, opinions on funding largely split between Democrats and Republicans. -
News
‘Spyami’? Professors at Miami U. Decry Proposed Mandate to Report Criminal Activity of Colleagues
Some faculty members at the Ohio institution say the “draconian” policy would allow administrators to discipline or fire them without reason. -
News
A Bill That Would Free College Athletes to Earn Money From Their Likeness Is Gaining Ground in California
A spokesman said the bill should go to a full assembly vote this week. If passed by both chambers by Friday, it will require signing by Gov. Gavin Newsom within a month. -
Administration
Dean of Students at U. of Alabama Resigns After Breitbart Resurfaces Old Tweets
Years ago, Jamie Riley said the American flag represents a “systemic history of racism.” Shortly after those tweets re-emerged, he resigned. -
Student Aid
The Education Department’s ‘Expanded’ Loan-Forgiveness Program for Public Service Has the Same Rejection Rate as Before: 99 Percent
More than a year after Congress tried to fix the problem, the Education Department still rejects almost all applications, the U.S. Government Accountability Office reports. -
News
Avital Ronell is Returning to the Classroom. Some Grad Students Want Her Gone.
In an open letter circulated this week, the graduate worker union called for Ronell’s termination, as well as for broader reforms to the Title IX reporting process and to the student-professor power hierarchy. -
News
A Jury Found Iowa State U. Partially Responsible for a Student’s Suicide. Here’s What That Could Mean for Other Colleges.
Experts sense a judicial mood shift toward holding colleges more accountable for these deaths.