Afternoon Update: America has legislated itself into competing red and blue versions of education

Stanford names business dean as president; religious orders help pay off student-loan debt; libraries and athletes are targets in Louisiana; 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](. CURRICULA [America Has Legislated Itself Into Competing Red and Blue Versions of Education]( States have enacted laws and policies in recent years to change how schools and colleges teach issues of race, sex, and gender to most of the nation’s students, with instruction differing by the political party that controls the legislative process, according to a [new analysis]( by The Washington Post. ADVERTISEMENT TEACHING [Why Professors ‘Should Not Be Scared’ to Extend Deadlines]( By Beckie Supiano [STORY IMAGE]( After studying his “extension without penalty” model in a large biology course, a professor offers reassurance. LEADERSHIP [Stanford Names Alumnus and Business-School Dean as Its Next President]( Jonathan Levin, an economist who has led the Graduate School of Business for eight years, will take office on August 1. Levin won the [2011 John Bates Clark Medal]( which honors the top economist under age 40. He will succeed Richard Saller, the interim president since the [resignation]( last year of Marc Tessier-Lavigne after a [research-misconduct scandal](. (University statement, The Chronicle) STUDENT-LOAN DEBT [They Seek to Become Nuns and Priests. Student Debt Holds Them Back.]( For young adults who want to join certain religious orders, paying off student-loan debt before taking a vow of poverty can prove a challenge. But their communities can help. According to one beneficiary, “Jesus says, ‘You cannot serve two masters. You can’t serve God and money.’” (The New York Times) SPORTS AND BOARDS [La. Governor Wants Scholarships Stripped From Athletes Absent During National Anthem]( Gov. Jeff Landry, a Republican, said in [letters]( to each of the state’s higher-education boards that they should adopt policies to rescind scholarships from athletes who are not present for the playing of the national anthem at the start of a game. Legislation introduced in March would [give Landry the power]( to appoint chairs of those boards. (Louisiana Illuminator, The Advocate) THROWING THE BOOK AT THEM [Louisiana Bill Would Criminalize Librarians and Libraries in American Library Assn.]( [House Bill 777]( introduced by Rep. Kellee Dickerson, a Republican, could kill Louisiana State University at Baton Rouge’s master’s program in library and information science, which is accredited by the ALA. Violators would face fines and imprisonment, possibly with “hard labor.” (Book Riot) SEXUAL ABUSE [Maryland University Agrees to $4.14-Million Settlement in Abuse Case Involving Coach]( The University of Maryland-Baltimore County will pay athletes who were subjected “for years” to sexual abuse and discrimination by a former swim coach, the U.S. Justice Department [said]( on Wednesday. According to a [report]( released last month by the department, the university knew about but ignored the mistreatment by Chad Cradock, who died in 2021. (The Hill, Department statements) ATHLETICS [Black Coaches Were Targets in College-Basketball Case That Wrecked Careers]( The [four assistant coaches]( were among 10 people, all but one Black, who were [arrested in 2017]( in an [FBI sting]( aimed at [secret payments]( to players and their families that, at the time, were [against NCAA rules](. Critics say the payments have been essentially legalized under court rulings and new laws. Meantime, the fall guys have had to rebuild their lives. (Associated Press, The Chronicle) TROUBLED COLLEGE [Days After Ownership Change Collapses, Keystone College Suspends Vice President]( The small college in Pennsylvania and an outside organization founded last year by a trustee recently scrapped their plans to have the outside group take over ownership of the 156-year-old institution. The college’s vice president for finance and administration is now on leave, and an unspecified investigation is underway. (The Times-Tribune) POLITICAL DONORS [Stefanik Raised More Than $7 Million After Grilling College Presidents on Antisemitism]( Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, chair of the House Republican Conference, took in more political contributions in 2024’s first quarter than in any previous quarter. The donations, stoked by support from prominent Jewish Republicans, followed her [withering cross-examination]( on [antisemitism]( of the presidents of [Harvard]( [Penn]( and [MIT]( two of whom soon resigned. (Politico, 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. 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