Open Campus

It’s been a big year for higher ed in Texas. The state’s colleges are at the center of many high-profile conversations about policy and politics — including the banning of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs on campuses and intensifying debates over free speech. At the same time, people across the country are losing faith in their colleges. That's particularly true among Republicans — and it's a dynamic that governors like Greg Abbott are tapping into. What should colleges be doing to regain the public's trust? What would it take to lessen the partisan divide? How can higher ed in Texas get its mojo back? I'll be talking about these issues tomorrow, 9/6, at #TribFest24 with Amy Bosley, Tedd Mitchell, & Harrison Keller. Come join us at 1 p.m. Central. https://trib.it/sBHbuK

"Practice kindness, be thoughtful, extend grace, and embrace empathy as foundational values." —JC Lopez, VP for student affairs, with Open Campus

Following the UNC system's decision to stop requiring DEI offices or programming on campuses, LGBTQ students and staff worry what comes next for them. “Students are experiencing hate speech all the time; I have, many of my friends have. Now it’s a little less clear what you’re supposed to do if you’ve experienced something like that," says Nathan Asher, a senior at Appalachian State who used to work at the LGBTQ+ center. By Brianna Atkinson at our partner North Carolina Public Radio-WUNC:

For Open Campus, I asked college presidents, professors, and counselors one question: What advice do you have for students headed to college this fall? I loved this from Grinnell College’s JC Lopez: “Practice kindness, be thoughtful, extend grace, and embrace empathy as foundational values.” Also featuring sage advice from: Russell Lowery-Hart, Danny Tejada, Sara Yelich Miller, Kevin R. McClure, Adrienne Jones, J.D., Ph.D. and Sara Urquidez:

We’re excited to work with Miranda and Houston Landing to cover this vital beat! Learn more about our work in Texas: https://lnkd.in/exq8vKYK

Sara Hebel, co-founder and editor-in-chief, will moderate a discussion about Texas higher ed in September at The Texas Tribune Festival in Austin! Sara will be talking with Amy Bosley, Harrison Keller, and Tedd Mitchell as they answer the question: How can higher ed in Texas get its mojo back? We're excited for the conversation (supported by Trellis Foundation) and proud to partner with the Texas Tribune and 13 other newsrooms around the country.

“How am I going to manage all this? I’m scared that classes will be difficult, but then at the exact same time, I have to be worried whether I’ll be able to afford to live." By Sneha Dey at our partner The Texas Tribune:

Open Campus has been working with WBEZ Chicago this week to cover the closure of Stateville, a 100-year-old maximum security prison outside of Chicago. A federal ruling that came down two weeks ago ordering Illinois prison officials to empty the decrepit facility by Sept. 30 seems to have resulted in abrupt transfers from Stateville, despite what educators have said were assurances from the Illinois Department of Corrections that students and alumni from the same education programs would be allowed to move together. About 30 students and alumni were on the list to be moved to Hill Correctional Center in downstate Galesburg in order to stay with the Prison + Neighborhood Arts/Education Project. But Executive Director Arianna Salgado said eight students and alumni were among those shipped to other facilities across the state this week. https://lnkd.in/gsf__D46

As recently as 2009, just about one out of every two undergrads at Case Western Reserve University came from Ohio. Now, it’s less than one out of every five, despite enrollment growing in that time. Amy Morona explored the explosion of out-of-state students at Case, a trend we're seeing at formerly local-centric universities around the country, for our partner Signal Cleveland:

JOB ALERT! Come work with us and our partner PublicSource to cover higher education in Pittsburgh! This job isn't just about covering institutions — you'll explore the role higher ed plays in the health and future of the city, and in the lives of its residents. And, you'll be a member of our Local Network, a group of reporters in 14 newsrooms who we've put on the beat around the country. More on the job: 💰 Salary range: $50,000-$60,000, with 401(k) match 💻 Hybrid work environment, based in Pittsburgh 🌴 Paid vacation and sick leave ❤️ Health plan and paid parental leave 🤓 Professional development opportunities