Political Influence & Activism
Our news, opinion, and advice stories about the impact of politics, political influence, and activism on higher education, answer your questions like:
- How are politics influencing higher education?
- What are the activist movements shaping colleges?
Newly Updated
The Chronicle is tracking executive orders, statements from Trump, and agency actions that affect higher education, plus legal challenges directed at those measures. Here’s the latest.
The Review | Essay
They force progressive institutions to accept current civil-rights law.
The Review | Essay
Trump’s reforms seek to impose political conformity on colleges.
'Demanding Obedience'
The university’s board has ordered a sweeping walkback of ambitious diversity programs. But conservative critics say DEI lives on — and they’re pushing to oust President James E. Ryan.
Q&A
Colin Holbrook says he approached the University of California system president about pro-Palestinian protests.
A 'Painful' Choice
HIV scientists were given a choice: eliminate a study of transgender youth or lose a shot to recover a larger series of grants. They chose the former.
The Review | Conversation
The economist talks about Trump, self-censorship, falling out with the Manhattan Institute, and retiring after almost 50 years in the classroom.
Leadership & governance
The HBCU’s alumni, faculty, and students say the search process was politically compromised by the Republican governor’s administration.
Campus Activism
As the academic year got underway, colleges tightened their rules. Now the Trump administration is threatening institutions that don’t crack down.
Newly Updated
We’ve documented actions taken on hundreds of college campuses to alter or eliminate jobs, offices, hiring practices, and programs amid pressure to end identity-conscious recruitment and retention of minority staff and students.