Quitting the PhD Pursuit for Carpentry, Floral Careers
The difficulty in securing a permanent position in academia has driven some students to drop out and find more fulfilling careers. On the CBC.
Headlines
The Public/Private Distinction for Universities Is Meaningless
Almost all private schools receive significant funds from the government, allowing them to rake in subsidies while ignoring some federal laws. On Forbes.
Donors Want to Revoke Donation to U of Chicago After Mismanagement
Timothy and Thomas Pearson donated $100 million to create an institute on global conflict, but now they want to withdraw it after disagreeing with the university's planning so far—or lack thereof. On Inside Philanthropy.
No, the Humanities Aren’t So Bad for Christian Academics
The state of the humanities is much more complex than fears of it closing doors to Christians of any type, though academic departments can be hostile. On Snakes and Ladders.
Duke Suspends Plans for Power Plant
Opposition to the new plant was based on concerns over using natural gas and the fracking process to get it; now, Duke will use methane gas from pig farms in Duplin County. On WRAL.
Making the MCAT a Political Tool
Recent changes to the MCAT are not making it more rigorous or testing students on how well they think—instead, the goal is to test what they think. On the Weekly Standard.
Students Groups That Track University Spending
Using public data, some student groups are scrutinizing university spending and investments, asking questions that some administrators would rather not hear. On Quartz.
The Fate of Grads from a PhD Factory
Some universities care more about student fees and cheap labor than acting as a base from which academics can launch their careers. In the Guardian.
Class Issues with an Ivy League Degree
Low-income students in the Ivy League see greater opportunity but can struggle to deal with the new culture and imbalances that surround them. On the Hechinger Report.
Student Parents See Their Aid Tripled by Congressional Action
A $35 million boost to a grant program that sends funds to colleges for childcare programs could help low-income students the most. On Inside Higher Ed.