Legal / Courts

Professor sues U of California System to detect whether it illegally uses race in admissions

He wants to know if it reintroduced preferential treatment for minorities due to pressure over enrollment rates following a state affirmative action ban.

By James Paterson • Nov. 16, 2018

Lawsuit reveals 'Animal House' culture in Dartmouth department

Seven women allege the Ivy League institution mishandled their complaints of sexual misconduct and discrimination by tenured professors.

By Hallie Busta • Nov. 16, 2018

New chair of University System of Maryland's board starts with an apology

Its flagship campus is dealing with the fallout of an investigation prompted by a football player's death that revealed dysfunction in its athletic department. 

By James Paterson • Nov. 09, 2018

Badge system fuels school bus safety, efficiency efforts

The system, which can track when a student gets on or off a bus, was piloted at two dozen Houston schools in October and has since expanded district-wide.

By Amelia Harper • Nov. 09, 2018

Another student group suspended for hazing — this time, it's the band

Studies show hazing among marching band members such as that alleged at Bowie State University is underreported and not uncommon.

By James Paterson • Nov. 08, 2018

Women's scholarships, programs a target amid proposed Title IX changes

A University of Michigan-Flint professor continues to challenge women-only scholarships, programs and other resources at publicly funded colleges.

By Halona Black • Nov. 06, 2018

3 college leaders urge DeVos to uphold Title IX transgender protections

In a letter, top administrators expressed "concern and dismay" over the federal government's plans to narrowly define sex by genitalia at birth. 

By James Paterson • Nov. 05, 2018

Appeal sends Georgia State "e-reserves" fair use case back for decision

Three publishers claim victory in an opinion against the university's library for providing excerpts of their materials for free, but others question the ruling's significance with the growing use of open resources.

By James Paterson • Oct. 31, 2018

Baylor hit with $2M fine from Big 12 for sexual assault scandal

Colleges are having to answer publicly, and often with hefty fines and presidential resignations, for how their administrations handle reports of sexual misconduct.

By Hallie Busta • Oct. 31, 2018

U of Maryland parts ways with head football coach DJ Durkin

Durkin was fired one day after being reinstated following an investigation, spurred by a student death, that found turmoil in the athletic department.

By Natalie Schwartz • UPDATED: Oct. 31, 2018 at 4 p.m.

Report: DACA students still ambitious but increasingly anxious

Undocumented students in a college access program still rank education and work as priorities but they are more uncertain about their future.

By James Paterson • Oct. 25, 2018

Hobby Lobby is buying a college campus. What's next?

Documents filed with a federal bankruptcy court indicate the controversial arts and crafts retailer has plans to keep the Oklahoma campus a college.

By Hallie Busta • Oct. 25, 2018

Colleges sue Trump administration over 'unlawful presence' policy

Four colleges say a rule reducing the time foreign students have to remedy visa status issues makes advising and retention a challenge.

By Natalie Schwartz • Oct. 25, 2018

Pennsylvania becomes 45th state with an anti-hazing law

Named for a Penn State student who died in 2017 from injuries sustained at a fraternity event, the law makes hazing a felony if serious injury or death result.

By James Paterson • Oct. 23, 2018

NYC consumer affairs department sues for-profit Berkeley College

More local and state agencies are shining a light on for-profit colleges as the federal government seeks to loosen regulations for the sector.

By Hallie Busta • Oct. 23, 2018

USC to pay $215M in sexual misconduct settlement

The University of Southern California will use insurance and reserve funds to pay members of the class-action lawsuit between $2,500 and $250,000 each.

By James Paterson • Oct. 22, 2018

For-profit chain sues Ed. Dept. and DeVos, wants to restructure

Education Corporation of America, which operates Virginia College, hopes to avoid bankruptcy, which would cut off its access to federal student aid.

By Natalie Schwartz • Oct. 19, 2018

Valparaiso Law School transfer to Middle Tennessee State denied

Efforts to find a new home for the struggling law school are one indication of how legal education in the U.S. is changing.

By James Paterson • Oct. 17, 2018

U of Iowa suspends fraternities following misconduct reports

University officials say the students violated a temporary ban on alcohol use put in place last year after a student died at a fraternity event. 

By James Paterson • Oct. 15, 2018

Harvard affirmative action trial begins today in Boston

The suit is expected to reach the Supreme Court, which has upheld affirmative action in higher education in a series of landmark decisions since 1978.

By Hallie Busta • Oct. 15, 2018

Colgate develops free speech policy that focuses on intent

The university's president hopes the report, which says free speech shouldn't cause "needless harm" and requires "careful listening," will be a model.

By James Paterson • Oct. 08, 2018

Rutgers ends 2-year limit for investigating sexual assaults

Former students complained about the university's handling of older incidents as the #MeToo movement continues to impact higher education.

By James Paterson • Oct. 05, 2018

University of Montana assessed $1M Clery Act fine

One expert says future fines under the act will be larger and assessed more quickly than in the past.

By James Paterson • Oct. 04, 2018