News Related to Higher Education and LGBTQIA+ Stakeholders

This is a collection of reports where issues related to sexual orientation and/or identity relative to administration of colleges and universities have made the news. It is important for administrators, faculty, staff, students and other NMU constituents to be aware of what is happening across the postsecondary education landscape so we are prepared to manage changes in social conditions and/or policy. 

Highlighted Articles Page

Some news has greater potential implications for NMU students and/or the NMU community. The highlighted stories at this link are included in the comprehensive list, but are pulled out on a page to help folks at NMU find the most important and useful news reports with local implications. 

Recent Articles August - December 2024

A comprehensive list:

December 10, 2024

"The case—known as the 'Ring Boys' scandal—has been in the public eye for decades. The allegations, which first emerged in the early 1990s, hold that WWE employees sexually abused young men and boys, often teenagers, working on the ring crew, and that WWE leaders ignored the abuse. Several employees stepped down when the allegations first became public in 1992."

More at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2024/12/10/judge-pauses-abuse-lawsuit-against-linda-mcmahon

December 9, 2024

"The controversy surrounding the SJSU volleyball team is the most explosive conflict over trans women’s participation in college athletics since 2022, when Penn swimmer Lia Thomas drew national scrutiny after winning the NCAA women’s 500-meter freestyle championship. Though the debate has been quieter in the intervening years, it has continued to rage in legislatures and board meetings around the country, especially as the vitriol against trans people in general has grown, leading to bans on trans people using restrooms that align with their gender identity and on trans youth’s access to gender-affirming medical care."

More at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/diversity/sex-gender/2024/12/09/volleyball-controversy-highlights-debate-over-trans-athletes

December 8, 2024

"Twelve of the 15 Salisbury University students accused of attacking and beating a man in Maryland because of his sexual orientation had their hate crime and first-degree assault charges dismissed, court records show."

More at NBC News at www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/hate-crime-charges-dropped-salisbury-university-students-rcna183352

December 6, 2024

As a transgender man who has often depended on the university’s LGBTQ center, Choudhary believes saving DEI is about more than just protecting positions of leadership; it’s about preserving access to a safe, quality education for himself and his peers.

More at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/diversity/2024/12/06/michigan-regents-consider-changes-dei-despite-protests

 

See also:

U. of Michigan Regents Ban Use of Diversity Statements, Recommit to Broader DEI Goals
December 5, 2024

at The Chronicle of Higher Education at www.chronicle.com/article/u-of-michigan-regents-ban-use-of-diversity-statements-recommit-to-broader-dei-goals

 

University of Michigan will no longer solicit diversity statements from faculty
Before the policy shift, individual academic units could decide if they required such statements for hiring, promotion or tenure considerations.

December 5, 2024

at Higher Ed Dive at www.highereddive.com/news/university-of-michigan-will-no-longer-solicit-diversity-statements-faculty-dei/734791/

December 5, 2024

"At that point, eulogies were given for the Black Cultural Center, Women’s Center, LGBTQ+ Resource Center, Native American Cultural Center, Hispanic & Latino Cultural Center, Pan-Asian Cultural Center and Pasifika Cultural Center. The Nontraditional Student Center was also recognized."

More at Standard-Examiner at www.standard.net/news/2024/dec/05/weber-state-university-students-hold-funeral-procession-for-shuttered-cultural-centers/

December 3, 2024

"Transgender students in Ohio will be barred from using multiperson bathrooms aligning with their gender identities at public and private K-12 schools and colleges, under legislation signed into law last week by Gov. Mike DeWine."

More at Higher Ed Dive at www.highereddive.com/news/ohio-transgender-student-bathroom-ban/734308/ 

December 3, 2024

"These laws can be vague and use broad language, setting up the legislature alone to judge what is acceptable for college leaders to say, said Young, from Pen America. Two of the three laws specifically call out gender, LGBTQ and race as issues the university cannot comment on."

More at Higher Ed Dive at www.highereddive.com/news/why-colleges-adopt-institutional-neutrality/734284/

November 27, 2024

"Jennifer Drobac, professor of law emerita at Indiana University, said Ms McMahon would return to the 'intolerant policies' pushed by Betsy DeVos, the education secretary in Mr Trump’s first term, and this could have 'huge implications' for gay, lesbian and transgender students in particular."

More at Times Higher Education at www.timeshighereducation.com/news/title-ix-protections-new-us-education-secretarys-sights

November 26, 2024

"A federal judge has ruled that a San José State University women’s volleyball player, who some of her teammates and competitors have said is transgender, can continue to play on the team, ESPN reported."

More at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2024/11/26/judge-says-reportedly-trans-volleyball-player-may-compete

 

November 25, 2024

"This year, though, things took a concerning turn. Over the summer, my department’s chapter of the Minorities and Philosophy organization was terminated. In September, the Faculty Senate was informed that our committees on the status of women, LGBT members, and faculty of color had been dissolved. We were neither informed nor consulted on this decision."

More at The Chronicle of Higher Education at www.chronicle.com/article/when-aspiring-authoritarians-seize-faculty-power

November 25, 2024

"The state law defines DEI as any 'activities designed or implemented with reference to race, color, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation.'”

More at Higher Ed Dive at www.highereddive.com/news/iowa-republicans-house-higher-education-committee-comprehensive-review-long-overdue/733956/

November 23, 2024

"USG’s Board of Regents recently urged the NCAA to ban transgender-identifying men from participating in women’s sports, in line with the NAIA rules, The Center Square previously reported."

More at The Center Square at www.thecentersquare.com/georgia/article_f8bd6506-a8f8-11ef-b462-6fc61f7f5f4c.html

November 21, 2024

"Cody believes the changes to regulations will harm donor relations, particularly among alumni. He said that alumni donations have suffered since the new board was swept in last year and started making changes, including eliminating NCF’s diversity, equity and inclusion office and a gender studies program, both of which prompted outrage among alumni and parents."

More at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/governance/trustees-regents/2024/11/21/fight-over-new-college-florida-foundation

November 21, 2024

"According to the details of one case, David Richardson, a professor at Madera Community College, started using the pronouns 'Do, Re, Mi' while attending a 2021 presentation about personal gender pronouns. When the facilitator later approached Richardson about his choice of pronouns — calling his actions 'harmful to trans people' — Richardson doubled down, claiming that his choice of pronouns was part of his right to free expression. After the college disciplined him, Richardson sued the State Center Community College District, which oversees Madera Community College. The case is still pending in federal court."

More at Cal Matters at https://calmatters.org/education/2024/11/college-free-speech/

November 21, 2024

More at The Chronicle of Higher Education at www.chronicle.com/article/is-dei-in-the-crosshairs-at-the-u-of-michigan 

 

See also:

The University of Michigan Doubled Down on D.E.I. What Went Wrong?
A decade and a quarter of a billion dollars later, students and faculty are more frustrated than ever.

October 16, 2024

at The New York Times Magazine at www.nytimes.com/2024/10/16/magazine/dei-university-michigan.html 

November 20, 2024

"If Trump rescinds the Biden administration's guidance, students who identify as LGBTQ+ and those who experience sexual misconduct may feel less safe on some campuses, according to Brendan Cantwell, a higher education professor at Michigan State University."

More at USA Today at www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2024/11/20/trump-college-oversight/76295609007/

November 20, 2024

"A judge for the U.S. District Court of Colorado will consider Thursday whether to disqualify a player on the San Jose State squad from postseason play at the emergency request of a collection of current and former players and an associate head coach, who are suing San Jose State and its conference. The lawsuit claims the player, Blaire Fleming, 'is male and identifies as transgender,' and that the Mountain West Conference and San Jose State acted illegally in allowing her to compete, among other things."

More at The Chronicle of Higher Education at www.chronicle.com/article/the-controversy-roiling-college-volleyball-just-keeps-growing

 

See also:

Republicans urge college athletic conference to ban transgender athletes
The request to the Mountain West Conference follows reports that a trans student competed on the San Jose State University women’s volleyball team.

November 20, 2024

at NBC News at www.nbcnews.com/nbc-out/out-politics-and-policy/republicans-mountain-west-conference-transgender-volleyball-athlete-rcna181037 

 

San Jose State Women’s Volleyball Team Finds Itself at Center of Transgender Debate
After reports that the team includes a transgender player, several schools have forfeited matches against the university out of protest.

October 29, 2024

at The New York Times at www.nytimes.com/2024/10/29/us/san-jose-womens-volleyball-transgender-ncaa.html 

November 20, 2024

"EDS 4003’s listed objectives include reflection on personal biases, 'sociopolitical powers, institutions, and forces that shape and impact the content of school curricula and learning.' It prompts students to analyze 'how various student differences (e.g., race, gender, class, sexual orientation, ability) impact educational experiences.'”

More at Higher Ed Dive at www.highereddive.com/news/university-of-oklahoma-DEI-conservative-backlash-education-class-stitt/733551/

November 19, 2024

"If McMahon is confirmed, one pressing item on her agenda would be Title IX policy. President Biden’s Education Department enacted civil-rights protections for transgender students under Title IX, which Republicans oppose. Those regulations have been partially held up in court."

More at The Chronicle of Higher Education at www.chronicle.com/article/trump-ally-and-businesswoman-is-reportedly-the-nominee-for-education-secretary

 

See also:

Who Could Lead the Department Trump Plans to Abolish?
The next education secretary will likely have experience in higher ed or a zeal for culture wars, experts predict.

November 13, 2024

at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/government/politics-elections/2024/11/13/speculation-swirls-over-trumps-education-secretary

November 19, 2024

"Three faculty senate subcommittees at UNT focused on faculty of color, LGBTQ faculty and women were shuttered as well as the Multicultural Center, which housed multiple student services. Library staff were told they couldn’t host events for Pride Week."

More at The Texas Tribune at www.texastribune.org/2024/11/19/texas-unt-dei-ban/

November 18, 2024

"Legal experts predicted that, given Miller’s record, he could have a meaningful influence on the federal government’s approach to issues like race, sexuality, and gender identity in higher ed."

More at The Chronicle of Higher Education at www.chronicle.com/article/how-a-top-trump-adviser-might-influence-the-president-elects-views-on-higher-ed

November 15, 2024

"Just three months before the presidential election, President Biden’s overhaul of the gender equity law known as Title IX went into effect, expanding protections for transgender students and changing how colleges respond to reports of sexual misconduct."

More at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/students/safety/2024/11/15/trump-likely-end-title-ix-protections-trans-students

November 15, 2024

"Just three months before the presidential election, President Biden’s overhaul of the gender equity law known as Title IX went into effect, expanding protections for transgender students and changing how colleges respond to reports of sexual misconduct."

More at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/students/safety/2024/11/15/trump-likely-end-title-ix-protections-trans-students 

November 13, 2024

"Meanwhile, the impacts on research are already being felt. According to the faculty member in the College of Education, one prestigious grant from the Spencer Foundation has been delayed until it’s determined to be in compliance with Senate Bill 17. As a result, they said, 'we’re already putting in jeopardy relationships with major funders across the nation.' Those in the College of Education were also told that they will not receive travel funds to present research at conferences that deal with race, color, ethnicity, gender identity, or sexual orientation. If scholars choose to pay out-of-pocket to attend such conferences, the faculty member added, they must say that they are not representing the university. (Reese, meanwhile, said that faculty members can get travel funding to engage in activities 'whereby scholarly and professional stature are demonstrated and may be appraised.' She denied any delay concerning the Spencer Foundation grant.)"

More at The Chronicle of Higher Education at www.chronicle.com/article/a-texas-university-tells-professors-their-teaching-and-research-will-be-under-intense-scrutiny

November 12, 2024

"Republicans have often trained their focus mainly on highly selective campuses, but their proposed policies could have a wider impact. The Heritage Foundation’s Project 2025 — an outline for Mr. Trump’s second term that he has tried to distance himself from — calls for sweeping changes, like privatizing all student loans, rolling back protections for transgender students, and paring back diversity efforts on campus."

More at The New York Times at www.nytimes.com/2024/11/12/us/trump-higher-education-policy-universities.html

November 12, 2024

"Tufts University on Tuesday walked back a statement from the chair of its political-science department, who had vowed to stop facilitating students’ internships with a Democratic congressman over his recent comments on transgender athletes."

More at The Chronicle of Higher Education at www.chronicle.com/article/why-a-tufts-u-department-found-itself-in-a-spat-with-a-congressman-over-transgender-rights

November 12, 2024

"The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents last week directed the president of its flagship to end 52 low-enrollment programs, including a nascent LGBTQ studies minor that conservative state legislators have cast as 'liberal indoctrination.'”

More at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/governance/trustees-regents/2024/11/12/texas-am-cuts-lgbtq-studies-and-other-programs 

November 11, 2024

"That comes just days after the Texas A&M Board of Regents directed the University to eliminate 52 different minors and certificates, citing low enrollments. Among those programs was an LGBTQ studies minor, prompting backlash."

More at CBS Austin at https://cbsaustin.com/newsletter-daily/texas-republicans-look-to-expand-dei-ban-into-college-curricula

November 11, 2024

"Vance, of course, provided no evidence to support that claim, probably because there is none. And given that both Rogan and his audience love conspiracy theories, he didn’t need to."

More at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/opinion/views/2024/11/11/there-trans-admission-advantage-opinion

November 7, 2024

"The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents on Thursday unanimously directed its flagship university to disband an LGBTQ+ studies minor, months after conservative lawmakers and websites accused the program of promoting 'liberal indoctrination' on campus."

More at The Texas Tribune at www.texastribune.org/2024/11/07/texas-a-m-lgbtq-studies-minor/

November 7, 2024

"Iowa State University students protested the legislation and rallied in support of programs they rely on in October, calling for the university to keep spaces like the LGBTQ+ Student Success Center, Margaret Sloss Center for Women and Gender Equity and more. They’ve also started multiple petitions to try and mitigate the legislation’s impact on their campus."

More at Iowa Capital Dispatch at https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/11/07/iowa-board-of-regents-members-expect-more-campus-dei-changes/

November 6, 2024

"Trump campaigned on several polarizing higher education proposals, including vowing to shut down the U.S. Department of Education and roll back the Biden administration’s contested Title IX regulations, which provide protections for LGBTQI+ students."

More at Higher Ed Dive at www.highereddive.com/news/trumps-victory-changes-higher-ed-policy/732216/ 

 

See also:

What Trump’s Victory Means for Higher Ed
Donald Trump’s first term shined a political spotlight on higher ed that has only grown more glaring since. A second could bring more sweeping changes.

November 6, 2024

at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/government/politics-elections/2024/11/06/what-trumps-victory-means-higher-ed

November 6, 2024

"The demonstrators arrived before 12:20 p.m. and quickly had a crowd of at least 100 students surrounding them in opposition. The two demonstrators were with the Official Street Preachers, a news outlet that covers events 'from a Christian perspective.' There were two signs the demonstrators held – one said 'Homo sex is sin' the other said 'Women are property' on the front and 'Types of Property: Women, Slaves, Animals, Cars, Land etc.' on the back."

More at The University Star at https://universitystar.com/28309/news/demonstrators-spark-counter-protest-of-hundreds-at-txst/

November 4, 2024

"Trump and others say the agency has grown too big and interferes in matters best left to local and state authorities. Driving the recent wave of calls is the Biden administration’s efforts to forgive student loans, the botched rollout of the federal financial aid application and the department’s overhaul of Title IX, which added new protections for transgender students. (The new rule is on hold in 26 states following several court rulings.)"

More at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/government/student-aid-policy/2024/11/04/what-abolishing-education-department-could-mean

November 1, 2024

"Among the areas in the crosshairs: A roll-back of current Title IX regulations, more investigations into campus antisemitism, and scrutiny of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Aggressive action elsewhere could carry severe consequences for colleges. Promised mass deportations would undoubtedly affect international students, who enroll in large numbers in graduate programs at research universities. Also high on the list of changes is federal legislation or executive regulation dealing with transgender students’ participation in athletics. Swing states have been bombarded with political ads from Trump’s campaign and backers attacking Harris and like-minded politicians as forcing educational institutions to let grown men play in women’s sports."

More at The Chronicle of Higher Education at www.chronicle.com/article/on-the-eve-of-a-tight-election-higher-ed-is-holding-its-breath

 

See also:

The Stakes for Higher Ed on Election Night
In a consequential election for higher ed, Kamala Harris and Donald Trump promise very different futures for colleges and universities.

November 5, 2024

at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/government/politics-elections/2024/11/05/what-2024-election-means-higher-education

November 1, 2024

"A conservative-leaning three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit held arguments this week over one of the challenges to the Biden administration’s Title IX sex discrimination rule for schools."

More at LawDork at www.lawdork.com/p/sixth-circuit-title-ix-appeal-arguments

October 31, 2024

"In his closing argument to voters, Trump launched a rhetorical assault on trans people. Higher-ed policy is a space in which he could convert that rhetoric into action. Project 2025 advises the government to prohibit collecting data on nonbinary genders and to rely exclusively on biological sex for all federal reporting and civil-rights enforcement. The self-described 'mandate for leadership' also calls for a Trump administration to revoke Biden’s Title IX guidance, strip protections from trans students, and re-establish new guidance that tilts the balance of rights in sexual-assault cases toward the accused."

More at The Chronicle of Higher Education at www.chronicle.com/article/a-second-trump-term-could-devastate-higher-ed

October 29, 2024

"The changes follow recent legislation that has prompted universities across the state to drop numerous general education courses, mainly related to hot-button political and social issues. Despite outcry from faculty, public universities have dropped dozens of courses—such as Anthropology of Race and Ethnicity, Introduction to LGBTQ+ Studies, and Sociology of Gender—to comply with SB 266, which went into effect in mid-2023."

More at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty-issues/curriculum/2024/10/29/clash-over-core-curriculum-new-college-florida

October 29, 2024

"I wouldn’t expect to see as many protections for LGBTQ students [under Trump], for example."

More at The Chronicle of Higher Education at www.chronicle.com/podcast/college-matters-from-the-chronicle/harris-trump-and-higher-ed

October 29, 2024

"Students protested on the Iowa State campus last week, raising concerns about possible changes to inclusive facilities and programs under the law, including the LGBTQIA+ Center."

More at Iowa Capital Dispatch at https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/10/29/state-universities-reallocate-more-than-2-million-from-dei-programs/

October 29, 2024

"Iowa’s SF 2435, based on model legislation authored by Rufo, restricts campus trainings, programs or activities 'designed or implemented with reference to' race, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation. Friday night Shabbat dinners, Black History Month commemorations or Pride marches could be swept up in this blunderbuss proscription. While Utah’s HB 261 ostensibly permits extracurricular and similar activities as long as they are open to all, the law has prompted institutions in the state to dissolve valued LGBTQ+, women’s and other multicultural resource centers, hubs that provided social space, scholarship information and community for those who sought them out."

More at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/opinion/views/2024/10/29/dei-bans-are-dangerous-governmental-overreach-opinion

October 22, 2024

"Students from all groups showed diminished confidence that their institution would take a reported sexual assault seriously and conduct a fair investigation. Among undergraduate nonbinary, transgender or questioning students, for instance, the share who said it was 'very' or 'extremely' likely that officials would take a report seriously fell from half in 2019 to 34 percent in 2024."

More at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2024/10/22/survey-finds-decline-students-nonconsensual-sexual-contact

 

See also:

October 24, 2024
Where Is the Data on Campus Sexual Assault?
The Department of Education has yet to provide guidance or resources to assist colleges in completing their campus climate surveys, which are now required by law.

at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/students/safety/2024/10/24/more-data-sexual-violence-needed-amid-reports-declines

October 16, 2024

"On Sunday, the University of Nevada at Reno’s women’s volleyball team told the university they planned to forfeit an upcoming match against San Jose State University, making them the fifth squad to do so this season. The reason was not made explicit, but it was clear to anyone who has followed the sport in recent months: the reported presence of a transgender player on San Jose State’s team."

More at The Chronicle of Higher Education at www.chronicle.com/article/how-a-few-forfeits-landed-these-colleges-at-the-center-of-a-political-fight

 

See also:

Another Women’s Volleyball Team Forfeits to San José State
October 17, 2024

at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2024/10/17/another-womens-volleyball-team-forfeits-san-jose-state

October 14, 2024

"Project 2025 aims to weaken and remove long-standing civil rights protections. ...would reverse [USDE's] historic role in enforcing civil rights laws by 'rejecting gender ideology and critical race theory' and instead enforcing civil rights 'based on a proper understanding of those laws.'”

More at Washington Monthly at https://washingtonmonthly.com/2024/10/14/universities-are-the-enemy-the-dark-belief-behind-project-2025s-higher-education-agenda/ 

October 14, 2024

"Just weeks after the Title IX rule was released, Trump vowed to roll back the new rule’s protections based on sexual orientation and gender identity."

More at Higher Ed Dive at www.highereddive.com/news/where-the-2024-president-candidates-stand-on-higher-education-issues/729612/

October 14, 2024

"What was notable along party lines, however, was what types of issues students cited as influencing their decision. Liberal-leaning students’ cited more specific issues, such as restricted abortion rights, anti-LGBTQ+ laws, lenient gun laws and too little concern about racial equality. Conservative-leaning students, meanwhile, were more likely to name the broader concern of being 'too Democratic.' The two specific issues conservative students listed most frequently after that were 'too liberal [on] LGBTQ+ laws” and “too lenient on crime.'”

More at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/government/politics-elections/2024/10/14/survey-finds-students-base-college-decisions-state

 

See also:

State politics are swaying college choice, survey finds
Students from both sides of the aisle are increasingly citing sociopolitical motivations when ruling out states from their college search.

October 15, 2024

"Nearly three-quarters of liberal students who excluded states did so because they believed their LGBTQ+ laws were too conservative. And roughly 4 in 10 conservative students ruled out states over LGBTQ+ laws they deemed too liberal."

at Higher Ed Dive at www.highereddive.com/news/state-politics-influence-college-choice-survey-lgbtq-guns-reproductive-health/729765/

 

What college should I go to? Applicants avoid entire states because of their politics
October 15, 2024

at USA Today at www.usatoday.com/story/money/2024/10/15/students-choose-college-by-politics/75633891007/

October 14, 2024

"Yet in a second sweep of general education courses, FIU trustees approved removing 22 classes including Anthropology of Race & Ethnicity, Introduction to LGBTQ+ Studies, and Sociology of Gender."

More at Politico at www.politico.com/news/2024/10/14/florida-university-classes-ron-desantis-00183453

October 13, 2024

"Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed SB 17 into law in 2023, barring public institutions of higher education from having diversity, equity, and inclusion offices, as well as programs, activities, and training conducted by those offices. The law also restricts training or hiring policies based on race, gender identity or sexual orientation."

More at ABC News at https://abcnews.go.com/US/dei-fallout-texas-university/story

October 9, 2024

"After criticism from Republican lawmakers and right-wing media outlets, Texas A&M University at College Station may disband its nascent minor in LGBTQ+ studies and over four-dozen other minors and certificate programs."

More at The Chronicle of Higher Education at www.chronicle.com/article/an-lgbtq-studies-minor-at-texas-a-m-drew-complaints-now-dozens-of-programs-could-be-eliminated

October 3, 2024

"The state has already dropped Principles of Sociology from all general education offerings; last year state officials declared the discipline inherently liberal. Now more courses are on the chopping block: Starting next fall, students across Florida’s 40 public institutions will have many fewer gen ed options to choose from, particularly on the subjects of race, gender, sexuality and diversity."

More at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/governance/state-oversight/2024/10/03/florida-institutions-slash-general-education-offerings

October 1, 2024

"Two women’s volleyball teams have forfeited games against San José State University, apparently in protest of the fact that a transgender woman reportedly plays for the university’s team, the San Francisco Chronicle reported. Boise State University declined to compete against SJSU last Friday, and Southern Utah University did the same during a tournament Sept. 14."

More at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2024/10/01/two-volleyball-teams-refuse-play-team-trans-player

October 1, 2024

More at The Chronicle of Higher Education at www.chronicle.com/article/can-dei-officers-prove-their-worth

September 24, 2024

“'That conduct,' Magill wrote, 'included a history of sweeping, blithe and derogatory generalizations about groups by race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation and immigration status.'” 

More at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty-issues/academic-freedom/2024/09/24/penns-amy-wax-punished-statements-wont-lose-job

 

More at a wide variety of places, including:

Penn to impose major sanctions on law professor Amy Wax after years of controversy

September 23, 2024

at The Daily Pennsylvanian at www.thedp.com/article/2024/09/penn-committee-upholds-sanctions-amy-wax 


Penn sanctions controversial professor for ‘flagrant unprofessional conduct’
A faculty committee found Amy Wax had a history of making derogatory generalizations about groups of people based on race, gender, sexual orientation and immigration status.

September 23, 2024

at WHYY at https://whyy.org/articles/professor-sanctioned-university-of-pennsylvania-flagrant-unprofessional-conduct/ 

 

Penn Suspends Amy Wax, Law Professor Accused of Making Racist Statements
The case tested the limits of academic freedom and tenure.

September 23, 2024

at The New York Times at www.nytimes.com/2024/09/23/us/university-of-pennsylvania-law-school-amy-wax.html 

September 20, 2024

"In addition to the free speech measures, the legislation would codify a Trump-era rule that protected the right of religious student organizations to set their own policies. The Biden administration has proposed rolling back that rule due to concerns that it could allow religious student groups to discriminate against vulnerable and marginalized students, such as LGBTQ+ persons."

More at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/government/politics-elections/2024/09/20/bill-end-woke-higher-education-clears-house 

September 19, 2024

"It is also defined as efforts to promote policies, procedures or programming developed or implemented with reference to these demographics and sexuality and gender orientation, along with attempts to put out as an official stance of a university a 'particular, widely contested opinion referencing unconscious or implicit bias, cultural appropriation, allyship, transgender ideology, microaggressions, group marginalization, antiracism, systemic oppression, social justice, intersectionality, neo-pronouns, heteronormativity, disparate impact, gender theory, racial privilege, sexual privilege, or any related formulation of these concepts.'”

More at Iowa Capital Dispatch at https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/09/19/iowa-board-of-regents-begins-review-of-university-dei-programs-for-compliance-with-law/ 

September 19, 2024

"Below is a roundup of the growing number of colleges shuttering offices and centers created to help groups like Black students, college women and members of the LGBTQ community amid intense pressure and a political tug of war."

More at Higher Ed Dive at www.highereddive.com/news/dei-eliminations-cuts-offices-colleges-texas-florida-kentucky-alabama/727414/

September 18, 2024

McInnes is a podcaster who co-founded Vice Media and founded the Proud Boys, a group that—after McInnes said he left it—became involved in the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. Four leaders of the group have been convicted of seditious conspiracy for their actions that day. Yiannopoulos, from 2015 to 2017, hosted the controversial 'Dangerous Faggot' tour across college campuses. His planned February 2017 appearance at the University of California, Berkeley, spurred violence and the cancellation of his speech. Later that month, he resigned from the conservative Breitbart News after he appeared to endorse pedophilia."

More at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2024/09/18/proud-boys-founder-yiannopoulos-mock-harris-u-sc

September 17, 2024

"The Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled last week that a lawsuit filed by a University of Louisville professor who alleged he was demoted because of his views on gender dysphoria can proceed to trial at the district court."

More at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2024/09/17/professor-allegedly-fired-transgender-views-wins-appeal

September 12, 2024

"The cuts include Faculty Senate committees for women, people of color and LGBTQ+ employees, as well as a number of networking groups, including those for new faculty, Christians, Asians and Pacific Islanders, Black employees, and employees who were born in other countries."

More at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2024/09/12/u-north-texas-eliminates-identity-based-faculty-groups

September 12, 2024

"In an election year where LGBTQ+ identity is politicized and often at the center of debate, education on LGBTQ+ issues is critical. Many Michigan universities are offering LGBTQ+ courses and educational opportunities to combat a wave of assumptions and hurtful rhetoric."

More at Pridesource at https://pridesource.com/article/lgbtq-studies-at-michigan-universities-shine-light-on-overlooked-queer-history 

September 11, 2024

"North Carolina State University, a large research institution like Chapel Hill, reported 27 job reassignments, including all positions that had been located within the department of multicultural student affairs, the LGBTQ-pride center, the women’s center, and the African American cultural center."

More at The Chronicle of Higher Education at www.chronicle.com/article/59-fewer-jobs-and-17-million-in-cuts-how-a-university-system-got-rid-of-dei

 

See also:

September 12, 2024
N.C. Universities Have Cut 59 Positions Since DEI Policy Repeal

at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2024/09/12/nc-universities-cut-59-positions-after-dei-policy-repeal

 

and 

Tracking Higher Ed’s Dismantling of DEI
Updated September 6, 2024

at The Chronicle of Higher Education at www.chronicle.com/article/tracking-higher-eds-dismantling-of-dei

September 8, 2024

"In April, the Biden-Harris administration expanded protections against sex discrimination in schools to include sexual orientation and gender identity. Meaning, among other things, it believes students should be allowed to use the bathroom that corresponds with their gender identity."

"Of the books that were targeted in the 2021-’22 and ‘22-’23 school years, the nonprofit found that 37% grappled with race and racism and included characters of color, and 36% included LGBTQ+ characters and themes."

More at NPR at www.npr.org/2024/09/08/nx-s1-5103698/trump-harris-election-platforms-education-views 

September 5, 2024

"In addition to higher education-specific concerns, such as attacks on tenure and removal of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies, some faculty cited anti-LGBTQ+ laws and abortion bans among their reasons for wanting to leave the South."

More at Louisiana Illuminator at https://lailluminator.com/2024/09/05/university-faculty-in-the-south-increasingly-worried-about-political-climate-survey-shows/

August 29, 2024

The investigation stems from allegations of hazing, and group texts involving homophobic slurs and bestiality, according to the source. Individual athletes are being investigated for their roles in the alleged behaviors.

More at SwimSwam at https://swimswam.com/notre-dame-mens-teams-issues-go-far-beyond-gambling-source-says/ 

August 29, 2024

"There are obviously some perceptions that services and supports in some of these centers are not open to all students. The LGBT Resource Center at the University of Utah was just over 20 years old, and it had the word 'resource' in its name. Certainly, our whole campus community benefited from programs and things like that. But ultimately it was started as a student support center with resources. And so, if we take that away, what is that?"

More at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/students/diversity/2024/08/29/dei-division-closure-has-been-grieving-process-utah

August 28, 2024

"In a move that has upset students, alumnae and faculty, Sweet Briar College announced earlier this month that it was changing its admissions policy and will no longer accept transgender applicants."

More at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/governance/trustees-regents/2024/08/28/new-sweet-briar-policy-bars-transgender-students

August 27, 2024

"Anti-LGBTQ+ school policies, in addition to harming students’ feelings of belonging at their institution, may also have consequences for students’ mental health, according to new research from the Trevor Project."

More at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/student-success/health-wellness/2024/08/27/how-institutional-practices-can-impact-lgbtq 

August 27, 2024

"Injunctions blocking the Department of Education from enforcing Biden’s Title IX regulations in certain states—resulting from lawsuits filed by conservative advocates who object to the inclusion of protections for transgender students—have also hampered the rollout of new protections for pregnant students."

More at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/students/diversity/2024/08/27/biden-title-ix-mandates-accommodations-pregnant-students

August 27, 2024

"A room tucked away at New College of Florida used to be decorated wall-to-wall with student-made oil paintings and drawings. One side housed a collection of books covering topics like gender studies, Black history, and LGBTQ+ issues. Another corner featured art supplies, including crochet hooks, stitch markers, and knitting needles used by the college’s decades-old knitting club, Anarchy Deathsticks."

More at The Chronicle of Higher Education at www.chronicle.com/article/new-colleges-book-dumping-went-viral-a-beloved-student-led-center-was-the-biggest-loss

August 26, 2024

"Those events were 'life-bringers,' Atchison said, that provided a space for LGBTQ students to celebrate their accomplishments, create traditions and quell anxiety. Former staff at Safe Zone also were vital; Atchison said they helped him through a traumatic experience and connected him with campus resources."

More at Alabama Media Group at www.al.com/educationlab/2024/08/how-alabamas-anti-dei-law-kicks-in-college-offices-closed-websites-scrubbed.html

August 21, 2024

"Transgender and queer students are skeptical of that explanation and believe the university acted in response to pressure from conservative groups. They say the move shows the university is not willing to support them equally."

More at The Texas Tribune at www.texastribune.org/2024/08/21/texas-a-m-trans-health-care/

August 20, 2024

"The August 16 order is powered by the anti-trans politics of the day, but it is made possible by far-right lower court judges who have been empowered previously — and yet again in the order — by the majority of the Supreme Court. The order also highlighted further systemic difficulties — and questions about how the Democratic appointees on the court are handling this moment."

More at Law Dork at www.lawdork.com/p/scotus-order-on-the-title-ix-rule-explained 

August 20, 2024

"The Gender and Diversity Center book disposal coincided with the college’s main library throwing away books. The media coverage of that bibliophile’s nightmare—piles of volumes being tossed in a dumpster—continued through Monday."

More at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty-issues/academic-freedom/2024/08/20/new-college-florida-dumping-books-and-losing

 

See also:

August 21, 2024

U.S. Senators Susan Collins, Patty Murray condemn New College of Florida book disposal
A book co-authored by the senators was among those thrown out by New College from the Gender and Diversity Center.

at Sarasota Herald-Tribune at www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/education/2024/08/21/susan-collins-patty-murray-condemn-new-colleges-book-disposal/74889309007/

 

August 22, 2024
Senators ‘Stunned’ After New College of Florida Dumped Their Book

at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2024/08/22/senators-stunned-after-new-college-dumped-their-book

August 20, 2024

"The problems of today’s federal judiciary have been clear for some time, but the U.S. Supreme Court’s order allowing lower courts to block the Biden administration’s entire 423-page sex discrimination education rule while litigation continues brought many of those problems together in a jarring way that further highlights how incredibly imbalanced today’s judiciary is."

More at Law Dork at www.lawdork.com/p/scotus-order-on-the-title-ix-rule-explained 

August 19, 2024

"On a quiet Tuesday afternoon in August, just a week before students were due to return to campus, the administration of New College of Florida emptied the library of the college’s Gender and Diversity Center by putting those books in a dumpster. They were joined shortly afterward by books from the main library, most on topics related to religion and LGBTQ+ issues."

More at CNBC at www.msnbc.com/opinion/msnbc-opinion/florida-new-college-book-ban-lgbtq-gender-studies-rcna166845 

August 19, 2024

"Her departure comes following increased attention to the college's libraries after hundreds of books could be seen overflowing from a dumpster behind the Jane Bancroft Cook Library Thursday afternoon. With the disposing of library books, New College also disposed of materials from the now-defunct Gender and Diversity Center — a student-run and student-curated library of books on subjects such as the LGBTQ+ community, Black stories and women. These books lived across campus at the Hamilton Center, a student-life and dining building."

More at Sarasota Herald-Tribune at www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/education/2024/08/19/new-college-florida-library-dean-placed-on-leave-after-book-disposal/74861630007/

 

See also:

New College of Florida President Richard Corcoran says media 'misconstrued' book disposal

August 19, 2024

at Sarasota Herald-Tribune at www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/education/2024/08/19/new-college-of-florida-resident-richard-corcoran-talks-book-disposal/74860303007/ 

August 16, 2024

"Federal courts have temporarily blocked the Education Department from enforcing the rule in at least 26 states, due to its controversial LGBTQI+ protections. The Justice Department’s request to allow portions of the rule to be enforced covered at least 10 Republican-leaning states that challenged those protections shortly after the rule was released to much controversy in April."

More at Higher Ed Dive at www.highereddive.com/news/supreme-court-rejects-emergency-request-partial-title-ix-rule-enforcement-education-department/724524/

August 16, 2024

"In our study, we also analyzed our data for evidence of contrapower harassment based on racial, gender and sexuality status. The focus of harassing behavior differed for each of these groups in important ways. In our sample, 81 percent of female-identifying antidiscrimination practitioners experienced threats, intimidation, or demands and ultimatums to control their actions. More than half of those threats included shouting, swearing or the raising of voices, as well as hostile or derogatory remarks based on gender, race, ethnicity or sexual orientation."

More at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/opinion/career-advice/conditionally-accepted/2024/08/16/challenges-dei-practitioners-experience

August 15, 2024

"Hundreds of New College of Florida library books, including many on LGBTQ+ topics and religious studies, are headed to a landfill."

More at Sarasota Herald-Tribune at www.heraldtribune.com/story/news/education/2024/08/15/new-college-of-florida-throws-away-hundreds-of-library-books-diversity-lgbtq/74814756007/ 

 

See also:

New College of Florida Trashes Library Books
August 16, 2024

at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2024/08/16/new-college-florida-throws-away-hundreds-library-books

August 6, 2024

"The center—which houses the Office of Hispanic Latinx Student Engagement, the Office of Black Student Engagement, the Office of Asian Pacific Islander Desi Student Engagement and the Office of LGBTQ+ Student Engagement—was initially not subject to the university’s sweeping DEI program cuts this spring, but its future has been unclear since. UF spokesperson Steve Orlando told the Alligator that the center is changing to comply with the law and that more information would be available in the coming weeks."

More at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2024/08/06/u-florida-shutters-multicultural-center-amid-dei-attacks

August 2, 2024

"Public colleges in a handful of states, including Utah, Texas, and Florida, have shuttered their LGBTQ centers in response to anti-DEI legislation. While private colleges and student groups have tried to fill gaps, transgender students and other vulnerable groups have mourned the loss of spaces where they could be themselves."

More at The Chronicle of Higher Education at www.chronicle.com/article/whats-the-state-of-transgender-college-students-rights-heres-a-primer

August 2, 2024

"LSU President William Tate shared a video Thursday from an anti-transgender group on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that amplified misinformation about an Olympic athlete."

More at Louisiana Illuminator at https://lailluminator.com/2024/08/02/lsu-president-shares-anti-trans-misinformation-breaking-his-own-neutrality-policy/

August 1, 2024

"The Biden administration’s final Title IX rule protecting LGBTQ+ students is temporarily blocked in at least 26 states after the 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Tuesday issued an administrative injunction the evening before the rule’s Aug. 1 implementation date. The Education Department will enforce the 2020 rule in those states."

More at Higher Ed Dive at www.highereddive.com/news/title-ix-rule-blocked-26-states-august-implementation-education-department/723083/

 

See also:

  • August 1, 2024

Biden admin's Title IX sex discrimination rule goes into effect — but it's blocked in 26 states
As of mid-day Thursday, the U.S. Supreme Court hadn't even ruled on the Justice Department's request to pare back the injunctions during appeals.

"When it comes to the Biden administration’s long-awaited Title IX sex discrimination education rule, which went into effect Thursday, America truly is two nations. Due to a series of lower-court injunctions, the Education Department is blocked from enforcing the rule, which includes LGBTQ school protections, in 26 states across the country."

at Law Dork at www.lawdork.com/p/biden-admins-title-ix-sex-discrimination 

 

  • August 1, 2024

How Biden’s Title IX Reform Became a Legal Morass
Conservatives have partly stymied the administration’s efforts to overhaul Title IX, getting the new regulations temporarily blocked in 26 states over objections to expanded rights for LGBTQ+ students. Here’s how the last 100 days have unfolded.

"A little more than 100 days ago, the Biden administration finalized its overhaul of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, which promised to usher in a new era for the federal civil rights law with greater protections for LGBTQ+ students and those who are pregnant, as well as new measures aimed at better supporting victims of sexual harassment."

at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/government/2024/08/01/how-legal-challenges-tied-title-ix-26-states

 

  • August 1, 2024

A New Title IX Era Brings Confusion and Frustration
A spate of lawsuits and court injunctions has complicated colleges’ efforts to comply with the Biden administration’s overhaul of the 52-year-old law, leaving Title IX coordinators frustrated and uncertain about how to move forward.

"The Biden administration’s new Title IX regulations, which strengthen protections for LGBTQ+ students and change how colleges respond to reports of sexual harassment, take effect today nationwide. Kind of."

at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/students/safety/2024/08/01/enforcement-bidens-title-ix-rule-complicated-lawsuits

 

  • August 1, 2024

Judge Blocks New Title IX Rule in Oklahoma

"A federal judge ruled yesterday that the Education Department cannot enforce new Title IX regulations in Oklahoma, just one day before the rules were set to take effect."

at Inside Higher Ed at www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-takes/2024/08/01/federal-judge-blocks-new-title-ix-rule-oklahoma

 

August 1, 2024

"Calvin University is under pressure from its owner, the Christian Reformed Church of North America, to re-examine a process by which professors can formally disagree with aspects of church doctrine."

More at Inside Higher Ed at https://www.insidehighered.com/news/institutions/religious-colleges/2024/08/01/calvin-university-tasked-re-examining-faculty

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