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University of North Dakota Expands Online Education Amid Pandemic Success

University of North Dakota Expands Online Education Amid Pandemic Success

The University of North Dakota (UND) has significantly expanded its online education offerings, driven by strategic investments and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since 2019, UND has seen a 60% increase in students taking only online classes and a 98% increase in those attending both online and in-person. The university's administration had previously invested in online course development, which facilitated a smooth transition to online learning during the pandemic. UND's Teaching Transformation and Development Academy has played a crucial role in supporting faculty with professional development and course development, enabling a robust online education framework. The university has also increased its online undergraduate programs, with a focus on engineering, space studies, and forensic psychology, which have become some of its largest master's programs.

Online Degree Acceleration Raises Concerns Among Educators

Online Degree Acceleration Raises Concerns Among Educators

A growing trend in the U.S. education sector involves students rapidly completing online degrees, raising concerns among educators about the potential devaluation of academic credentials. Christie Williams, a North Carolina human resources executive, completed a bachelor's degree in three months and a master's in five weeks through the University of Maine at Presque Isle's YourPace program. This program allows students to take unlimited courses at their own pace, significantly reducing the time and cost of obtaining a degree. While this approach is praised for its affordability and convenience, it has sparked debate over the quality and integrity of such accelerated programs. The phenomenon, often referred to as 'degree hacking,' has led to a cottage industry of influencers promoting quick degree completion strategies.

Colleges Utilize AI to Address Student Political Polarization

Colleges Utilize AI to Address Student Political Polarization

Colleges across the United States are increasingly adopting artificial intelligence tools to foster constructive dialogue among students, who are experiencing heightened political polarization. This trend has intensified due to recent pro-Palestinian protests during the Israel-Hamas conflict. Institutions are partnering with organizations like Braver Angels and the Constructive Dialogue Institute (CDI) to promote civil discourse. CDI is piloting an AI-enabled component for its Perspectives learning program, which aims to equip students with skills for difficult conversations. The AI chatbot provides real-time coaching, helping students express their views calmly and find common ground. Despite its benefits, AI's role in dialogue is constrained to minimize risks, as highlighted in a CDI white paper.

Cicero Platform Promotes Personalized One-to-One Learning for Mobile Families

Cicero Platform Promotes Personalized One-to-One Learning for Mobile Families

Cicero Platform Promotes Personalized One-to-One Learning for Mobile Families

Dartmouth Professor Seeks Academic Ties with Damascus University Following Syria Visit

Dartmouth Professor Seeks Academic Ties with Damascus University Following Syria Visit

A recent academic trip to Syria, organized by the Syrian Mosaic Foundation, has sparked discussions about potential scholarly collaborations between American and Syrian institutions. The delegation, which included academics from Dartmouth College and New York University, engaged in conversations with officials from Damascus University and the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The visit aimed to explore possibilities for student exchanges, joint workshops, and collaborative research on cultural and historical subjects. Rabbi Asher Lopatin, a key figure in the delegation, emphasized the importance of deepening relationships with Syrian academic and cultural institutions. The trip also highlighted the historical ties between Syria and Jewish communities, with visits to significant cultural sites such as the Dura-Europos synagogue.

Indiana College ID Voting Ban Reinstated Amid Legal Battle

Indiana College ID Voting Ban Reinstated Amid Legal Battle

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit has reinstated an Indiana law banning the use of public university student IDs for voting, following a temporary injunction that had blocked the law. The injunction was initially granted after voter advocates argued that the ban infringed on young voters' rights. The state of Indiana filed an emergency motion to suspend the injunction, which the appeals court granted, pending a final decision. The law's reinstatement affects early voting for the state's May 5 primary election.

Harvard Considers Limiting 'A' Grades to Address Grade Inflation Concerns

Harvard Considers Limiting 'A' Grades to Address Grade Inflation Concerns

Harvard University is contemplating a policy to limit the number of 'A' grades awarded to students, as part of an effort to address concerns about grade inflation. Arthur C. Brooks, a CBS News contributor and columnist for The Free Press, discussed the potential implications of this move. The university is evaluating whether the current grading system accurately reflects student performance and learning outcomes. This consideration comes amid broader discussions in academia about maintaining rigorous academic standards and ensuring that grades remain a meaningful measure of student achievement.

Hampshire College to Close Despite Raising $55 Million Amid Financial Struggles

Hampshire College to Close Despite Raising $55 Million Amid Financial Struggles

Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, has announced its closure at the end of 2026, despite raising $55 million in a fundraising campaign. The college, known for its unconventional curriculum without grades or majors, has faced financial difficulties for years. In 2025, it reported an operating deficit of $3.7 million and declining net assets. The college also held $25 million in bond debt and was at risk of default. Enrollment has been declining, with only 625 students enrolled this year compared to 1,352 in 2004-2005. The college's endowment has also decreased significantly, contributing to its financial woes.

Families in Iran struggle with school closures even as the airstrikes have stopped

Families in Iran struggle with school closures even as the airstrikes have stopped

Schools have been closed across Iran since the United States and Israel launched the war on Feb. 28, with no word on when in-person instruction will resume

AI Concerns Drive Gen Z to Graduate School Amid Strong Economy

AI Concerns Drive Gen Z to Graduate School Amid Strong Economy

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape the job market, a growing number of recent college graduates are opting to pursue graduate education. According to a survey by Jenzabar/Spark451, nearly 78% of those considering graduate school plan to enroll within the next year, a significant increase from the previous year. This trend is occurring despite a relatively strong economy, with the U.S. adding more jobs than expected in March and maintaining a low unemployment rate. However, concerns about job security and the impact of AI on entry-level positions are prompting young adults to seek further education as a form of 'insurance policy' against future job market uncertainties.

Hampshire College Announces Closure Amid Financial Struggles and Enrollment Decline

Hampshire College Announces Closure Amid Financial Struggles and Enrollment Decline

Hampshire College, a liberal arts institution in Amherst, Massachusetts, has announced its closure at the end of 2026 due to persistent financial difficulties and declining enrollment. Despite raising $55 million through a fundraising campaign led by notable alumni, the college could not overcome its economic challenges. The college, known for its unconventional curriculum without grades or majors, has faced a significant operating deficit and a shrinking endowment. Enrollment has steadily decreased over the years, contributing to the financial strain. The college's president, Jennifer Chrisler, cited complex financial pressures and external factors as reasons for the closure.

FERPA Compliance Threatened by Human Error in School Data Management

FERPA Compliance Threatened by Human Error in School Data Management

At the 2026 Consortium for School Networking (CoSN) conference, Mike Tassey, a data security adviser with the Privacy Technical Assistance Center at the U.S. Department of Education, highlighted the persistent threat of human error to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) compliance. Tassey illustrated this with a scenario where a teacher accidentally exposed sensitive student information by using the 'CC' field instead of 'BCC' in an email, compromising the privacy of students receiving special education services. This incident underscores the vulnerability of student data to unintentional mistakes, despite sophisticated cyber defenses. Tassey emphasized that FERPA violations often stem from misunderstandings of data ownership and assumptions about vendor security, rather than malicious intent. He stressed the importance of transparency and timely response in managing such breaches.