Canary: Higher Ed Issues Landscape Report 10/07

October 7th, 2024

• What we’re watching: hazing, HBCU’s, free speech, college sports as we know them, southern charm
• Natural disasters: taking stock after Hurricane Helene
• What we’re reading: microcredentials, faith in higher ed, the post-presidential era

What we're watching

Hazing

A bipartisan bill, the Stop Campus Hazing Act, is working its way through Congress. Having passed the House, it now moves on to the Senate.

The bill would mandate higher education institutions to include hazing incidents in security reports, implement more programming, publish hazing policies online, and share information about student organizations that have a history of hazing incidents.

“Postsecondary education in America has been besieged by hazing for far too long—the safety and well-being of students must remain a top priority no matter what institution they attend.” - Representative Virginia Foxx, R-NC (IHE)

In Pennsylvania, two Penn State alumni were finally sentenced to prison after a hazing ritual led to the death of a fraternity pledge several years ago. The two men, now in their late 20s, we the former president and vice president of the fraternity. The parents of the victim have been strong advocates for congressional anti-hazing measures.

HBCUs, DEI and polling

The Pew Research Center produced a new analysis of HBCUs, while New America, a progressive think tank, released the results of a survey of public attitudes to DEI.

Pew’s analysis stated that:

• HBCUs are overwhelmingly located in the southern part of the United States. Alabama and North Carolina both have more than 10 HBCUs. Only Ohio and Pennsylvania have HBCUs among the northern states.
• Between 1976 and 2022, the share of students at HBCUs who are Black decreased from 85% to 76%.

New America's survey asked participants if more should be done to "recruit, admit, and ensure access to students who have been historically underrepresented." Contrary to common perceptions of the current legislative environment, New America found that:

• 70% of Americans believe that colleges and universities should recruit and admit more students from historically underserved backgrounds.
• 62% further believe that the consideration of race in admissions can reduce societal racial inequalities.
• When broken down by race, Black and Asian Americans are especially likely to endorse these statements.

"These findings are especially critical considering they come during a time when DEI measures and affirmative action are continuously being attacked and heavily politicized across the United States." (New America)

Free Speech

The University of Chicago announced an anonymous gift of $100 million to “advance the work of the University of Chicago Forum for Free Inquiry and Expression — both on campus and beyond.”

Free speech has become a firmly entrenched topic in higher education, with many donors and alumni openly criticizing colleges over their perceived lack of commitment to the First Amendment. The home of the Kalven Report and Chicago Principles, UChicago emphasized its heritage of free speech when making the announcement.

“The University of Chicago has an unparalleled history of devotion to upholding free inquiry and expression. Living them is a never-ending journey. Engaging in that work with purpose is more essential to society now than ever.” - President Paul Alivisatos (University of Chicago)

At Princeton, President Christopher Eisgruber announced he would not adopt an official policy of institutional neutrality. Instead, Princeton will continue with a policy of “institutional restraint.” Eisgruber elaborated by saying he had spoken more previously on controversial topics “than I would say makes sense for the future.”

“You can’t be neutral about everything. We’re speaking out on behalf of those things [like diversity, inclusivity, free speech, academic freedom, and sustainability.] So I think institutional neutrality is just a misleading formulation. We have to stand up for our values.” - President Christopher Eisgruber (Daily Princetonian)

College Sports as we know them

The presidents of West Virginia and Syracuse universities created a stir last week, declaring that college sports are in danger of an “implosion” that would leave only 30-40 programs in a “super league” with the rest "fighting over revenue scraps, and by 2030. . . largely extinct.”

“As university presidents, we need to get back in the game and take responsibility for our future. We can’t rely on commissioners or Congress to do this. More engagement, urgency, and leadership are needed from all of us to breathe new life into college sports and create a sustainable new model that is steeped in the cherished traditions we all want to preserve.” - Gordon Gee and Kent Syverud (CHE)

In an editorial for the Chronicle of Higher Education, Gee (WVU) and Syverud (Syracuse) supported the idea of a two-tier national college football league, effectively replacing the current conference and NCAA structure. Such a proposal has recently been gaining ground in the press.

Southern Charm

Research by the Wall Street Journal shows that northern high school kids are increasingly looking to southern universities rather than campuses closer to home.

According to the WSJ, “the number of Northerners going to Southern public schools went up 84% over the past two decades and jumped 30% from 2018 to 2022.” The process accelerated during the pandemic.

“You had students home in their basement in Connecticut looking at their phone seeing most of the Northeast closed down and not much happening. At the same time they are seeing sororities at Alabama and football games in Georgia and Florida. Life is happening.” - Rick Clark, Georgia Tech. (The Wall Street Journal)

Natural disasters

Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida but wrought havoc in states (and on campuses) not as accustomed to extreme wind and rain events.

• In Florida, a number of universities closed as a precaution but quickly re-opened with little damage reports.
• In Georgia and other states in the post-landfall path of Helene, universities such as Emory transitioned to remote work and classes.
• Universities in the western portions of the Carolinas were hardest hit as local authorities were caught off guard by the unprecedented severity of the storm.

“Colleges and universities in the storm’s path have faced unique challenges. Some face damage from flooding and downed trees. Many have power outages and limited communications. Students housed on campuses are unable to travel freely and staff may have trouble getting to the schools. Many of them have suspended classes.” (Carolina Public Press)

Considerations

Hurricane Helene demonstrated the dilemmas facing campus communicators as they respond to natural disasters.

• At UNC Asheville, cell and internet coverage was nonexistent in the immediate aftermath of the storm. Campus staff went door to door across resident halls to confirm the safety of students.
• Many parents were unable to communicate with students, and universities were at first unable to post updates due to downed telecommunications infrastructure.
• At Furman, Greenville NC, getting campus back to normal was hampered by the fact that many faculty and staff did not have power at home or were dealing with storm damage and closed public schools.
• Parts of Appalachian State’s campus in Boone, NC, were damaged by flood waters and remain closed.
• Some parents were anxious to collect college students from campuses, however many roads were either unsafe or reserved for emergency use.
• Athletics travel, as well as events, were complicated by Helene. For example, East Tennessee State University’s football team was stranded in Asheville en route to Charleston for a game.
• University hospitals, medical centers and other services can play a significant role in emergency response.
• Campus stakeholders expect to hear from college presidents during acute crises — natural disasters are no different.

Best practices

Though intertwined with devastation and tragedy, natural disasters can also highlight the positive role that universities play in disaster preparedness and recovery. The following best practices were on display in the aftermath of Helene:

• Highlighting response efforts: Universities both inside and outside the path of Helene showcased how administrations and extension services worked to help local communities respond and recover. Campuses like App State and UNC Asheville also provided spaces for grounds like the Red Cross and Samaritan’s Purse.

• Emphasizing community: As campuses recover, services come back online and university systems mobilize resources, colleges can highlight and celebrate a sense of community and solidarity.

“We at UNC Asheville, along with the entire UNC School System, stand in solidarity with the people of Western North Carolina. We are heartened by the way our community has come together…Clinical and mental health services remain available.” (UNC Asheville | BulldogAlert)

• Being a gatekeeper: Universities have set up webpages to show which organizations and initiatives alumni and supporters can give to or volunteer with. Some funds are specifically dedicated to student relief.
• Leveraging local press: national news media have painted a picture of widespread devastation, however local outlets often emphasize community efforts, university communications and individual stories.
• Showcasing research expertise: Professors with expertise on climate change, emergency management and other topics have been sought out by media outlets to comment on Hurricane Helene.

Controversies

Natural disasters are not usually reputational liabilities for universities, with stakeholders most likely to express sympathy and solidarity with the campus community’s response. However, in some circumstances, universities have been forced to respond to scrutiny of their actions or of those of staff and faculty.

• The University of Kentucky clarified that a former staff member was no longer with the university after they suggested on social media that Helene was divine punishment.

“We were just made aware of this post. We have reported it to the appropriate offices on campus that review questions around conduct. Such statements are abhorrent and do not reflect our values as an institution.” - Jay Blanton, UK spokesperson. (NY Post)

• Clemson was criticized for forging ahead with homecoming plans despite logistical difficulties and community struggles with many locals still without power or water during the game.

“I've seen all across the spectrum on social media . . . a lot of people are very upset. They think this was an egregious act of the university to invite these people in to use resources they themselves desperately need and sometimes can't even access. I've also heard from people who think it was just fine that the university offered a little bit of respite and something to look forward to.” - Caitlin Herrington (NPR)

📖 What we’re reading

Inside Higher Education: The Microcredential Generation

Some see microcredentials as steps toward degrees and dream jobs. Others are relying on them as speedy routes out of instability or poverty. “For me, it was just, welp, this is a place to start,” said 18-year-old Devon Clifford, who enrolled in a tuition-free, three-week welding program at Southern Maine Community College. He believes the program will lead to a well-paying job, “hopefully where I can start saving for college and actually doing the things I want to do later down the line.”

Washington Monthly: Americans Have Not Actually Turned Against Higher Education Like the Media Says

As many colleges grapple with declining enrollment and intense political criticism, sagging public support for higher learning has become a journalistic given, the kind of as-we-all-know fact that can be simply asserted as context before advancing an argument or presenting the news of the day. But many of these articles are getting the story wrong. The polling data that form the basis for the narrative of college declinism is far more limited and nuanced than this framing suggests.

The Chronicle of Higher Education: The Post-Presidential Era

We have reached the post-presidential era. While there will be a few exceptions at places where the politics and type of institution will permit traditional academic leadership to persist, outside forces — donors, trustees, politicians — are making the decisions now. The president is mostly a facilitator of that vision. Whether that person is an academic or not matters less than ever.

#️⃣ Trending on Social This Week

Sources:

• Bernie Sanders (@BernieSanders)
• unusual_whales (@unusual_whales)
• Layla (@itslaylas)

Legend Labs is a brand and communications consulting firm for the digital age. We help ambitious leaders create, grow, and protect their Legends. This analysis of reputation-related trends in higher education features insights from Meltwater and direct social media & web analysis. 

For more information, email us at hello@legendlabs.com.