Afternoon Update: Higher-ed pay increases in 2023-24 beat inflation for first time since pandemic began

Idaho Senate kills U. of Phoenix bill; Tenn. lawmakers vote to remove HBCU's board; new delays likely for Title IX rules on trans athletes; and more. ADVERTISEMENT [Afternoon Update Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. COMPENSATION [Higher-Ed Pay Increases in 2023-24 Beat Inflation for First Time Since Pandemic Began]( Median raises in 2023-24 outpaced the inflation rate for the first time since 2019-20. But most workers [still earn less]( than in 2019-20 [because of inflation](. The largest gap between pre-pandemic inflation-adjusted salaries and current salaries is for tenure-track [faculty members]( who earn 9.7 percent less. (College and University Professional Association for Human Resources, The Chronicle) ADVERTISEMENT TEACHING [Should You Teach Your Students How to Be Students?]( By Beth McMurtrie [STORY IMAGE]( A teaching expert challenges professors to add skill-building to their syllabi. Should that be their role? ACQUISITION IN DOUBT [Idaho Senate Kills U. of Phoenix Bill, Throwing University’s Purchase Into Jeopardy]( Legislative leaders said the vote could block the $685-million deal, in which the University of Idaho [planned to acquire]( the [for-profit university](. Critics said the State Board of Education had exceeded its authority in the deal. The bill would have restructured the purchase to respond to that concern and to limit the state’s financial risk. (Idaho Education News, The Chronicle) GOVERNANCE [GOP Lawmakers Vote to Unseat Tennessee State U. Board Over Democratic Objections]( The state’s House on Thursday agreed with a bill, already passed by the Senate, that would have Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican, replace all trustees at the historically Black university, which has been struggling for a [fair share]( of [state appropriations]( after [decades of neglect]( amid [financial and leadership problems](. It is not known if Lee plans to sign the bill. (The Tennessean, The Chronicle) RESEARCH INTEGRITY [The Feds Want More Oversight of Scientific Research. Universities Are Fighting Back.]( The Office of Research Integrity, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, monitors more than $40 billion in research funds. It’s calling for more transparency in investigations of [fraud]( and [plagiarism]( amid [prominent]( cases over the [credibility]( of [scientists](. Critics say the office’s proposals would stifle research and sow distrust among scientists. (The Wall Street Journal, The Chronicle) GENDER BIAS [New Title IX Rules on Trans Athletes Are Set for Election-Year Delay]( The Biden administration will soon finalize sweeping rules on [how sex discrimination]( is to be dealt with at schools and colleges, including new protections for transgender students. But it will delay a regulation on the [rights of trans athletes]( according to unnamed sources who cited 150,000 public comments, not political issues, as the reason for the delay. (The Washington Post, The Chronicle) LEADERSHIP [Presidential Pick at Buffalo State Is Out After SUNY Investigation]( The State University of New York said on Wednesday that Chance Glenn’s appointment, announced in December and scheduled for July, had been rescinded. SUNY did not state a reason, but Glenn, provost of the University of Houston-Victoria, had drawn criticism over information he used to win a National Science Foundation research grant. (The Buffalo News) IN THE COURTS [Former Official at St. Norbert College Drops Defamation Lawsuit Over Title IX Comments]( The Rev. Jay Fostner, a former vice president at the Roman Catholic institution in Wisconsin, has withdrawn a suit against an alumna, Margaret Uselman, who [publicly criticized]( his handling of Title IX cases. In a joint statement they said Uselman had never accused Fostner of covering up sexual assaults or conducting Title IX investigations. (WLUK, The Chronicle) NEWSLETTER [Sign Up for the Teaching Newsletter]( Find insights to improve teaching and learning across your campus. Delivered on Thursdays. To read this newsletter as soon as it sends, [sign up]( to receive it in your email inbox. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to essential news, analysis, and advice. Virtual Events: Tune In Live SAFETY AND SECURITY [What It Takes to Improve Campus Safety]( [STORY IMAGE]( UPCOMING: April 10, 2024 | 2 p.m. ET. Amid growing threats to physical campuses, administrators must prioritize safety efforts and do so ethically. Join us for a virtual forum on campus safety. With Support From AT&T. [Register here.]( EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING [Experiential Education for All]( [STORY IMAGE]( UPCOMING: April 11, 2024 | 2 p.m. ET. Programs like experiential education help expand creativity and independence. Join us to discuss how to re-engage students with such programs. With Support From the Illinois Institute of Technology. [Register here.]( LEARNING MODELS [Global Leadership Perspective]( [STORY IMAGE]( UPCOMING: April 16, 2024 | 2 p.m. ET. Research shows many learning models are outdated, but Southern Cross University’s model has succeeded. Join us for more from SCU’s vice chancellors. With Support From Southern Cross University. [Register here.]( ADVERTISEMENT FROM THE CHRONICLE STORE [Fostering Students' Free Expression - Buy Now]( [Get 12 Months]( [of Chronicle Reports]( [Order our new]( Digital Reports Bundle and save on a year’s worth of in-depth reports. Buy before March 31 to secure a copy of our latest release, Higher Education in 2035, plus The Athletics Advantage and A Toolbox for Deans as a one-time bonus. JOB OPPORTUNITIES [Search jobs on The Chronicle job board]( [Find Your Next Role Today]( Whether you are actively or passively searching for your next career opportunity, The Chronicle is here to support you throughout your job search. Get started now by [exploring 30,000+ openings]( or [signing up for job alerts](. NEWSLETTER FEEDBACK [Please let us know what you thought of today's newsletter in this three-question survey](. This newsletter was sent to {EMAIL}. [Read this newsletter on the web](. [Manage]( your newsletter preferences, [stop receiving]( this email, or [view]( our privacy policy. © 2024 [The Chronicle of Higher Education]( 1255 23rd Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037