Afternoon Update: Harvard resumes requiring admission tests; why Goddard College had to close

Army may cut major education benefits; inflation-adjusted faculty pay stays below pre-pandemic level; scathing criticism of FAFSA rollout; 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](. COLLEGE ADMISSIONS [Following Yale and Brown, Harvard Returns to Requiring Standardized Tests]( By Francie Diep [STORY IMAGE]( The university makes similar arguments as its peers about how standardized-test requirements help disadvantaged applicants. ADVERTISEMENT ANOTHER CLOSURE [‘We Just Couldn’t Continue’: A President Explains Why His College Had to Close]( By David Jesse [STORY IMAGE]( Goddard College’s leader told The Chronicle that demographic forces were too much for the institution, which had tried many things to limit expenses and expand revenue. TEACHING [More on How — and Whether — to Develop Students’ Study Skills]( By Beth McMurtrie [STORY IMAGE]( An essay on “studenting skills” prompted thoughts from readers. THE REVIEW | ESSAY [The New York Intellectuals Were a Boys’ Club]( By Sam Adler-Bell [STORY IMAGE]( Their machismo masked anxiety and insecurity. ADVICE [Ask the Chair: ‘When Did I Become a Bureaucrat?’]( By Kevin Dettmar [STORY IMAGE]( A new department head wonders if your scholarly reputation suffers merely by accepting that leadership role. STUDENT AID [Army Considers Cutting Its Premier Education Benefits]( The proposal, currently under review, would affect the military service’s [credentialing-assistance program]( and its tuition-assistance program. The programs, which cost $278 million last year, are popular among soldiers and are key tools in recruiting and retention. (Military.com) COMPENSATION [Real Wages for Faculty Members Are Far Below Pre-Pandemic Level, AAUP Says]( In preliminary data from its annual survey of faculty salaries at 870 colleges, the American Association of University Professors found that inflation-adjusted pay has risen 0.4 percent for full-timers since the last academic year, but the increase did not make up for recent inflation. For data on faculty pay at more than 3,000 colleges, see [The Chronicle’s publication]( last week of the latest federal data. ENROLLMENT [On Capitol Hill, Education Dept. Hears Bipartisan Condemnation of Rocky FAFSA Rollout]( Witnesses and lawmakers in both parties assailed a “crisis of credibility” that the department faces over its [botched handling]( of the [revamped]( Free Application for Federal Student Aid, which has [hit applicants]( and [colleges alike]( with a series of [technical]( [procedural]( and other problems that are [threatening enrollments]( for the coming academic year. (The Hill, The Chronicle) CAMPUS COLLABORATION [Public University and Private College in Wisconsin Will Allow Students to Attend Both]( St. Norbert College and the University of Wisconsin at Green Bay have both responded to [declining enrollment]( by [restructuring programs]( and [laying off]( faculty members. They announced a partnership today. (Green Bay Press-Gazette, The Chronicle) TITLE IX [Education Dept. Resolves Pregnancy-Bias Investigation at Hinds Community College]( The department’s [Office for Civil Rights said]( the college in Mississippi had violated Title IX by failing to provide a pregnant student with needed academic adjustments or services for her pregnancy, and also discriminated against her and harassed her. Under an [agreement]( Hinds will take steps to observe the law, including improved staff training. (Department statements) CAMPUS SAFETY [Ex-Student at Cornell U. Admits Targeting Jewish Students With Online Threats]( The former student, Patrick Dai, pleaded guilty on Wednesday to posting online messages last fall, shortly after the war in Gaza broke out, in which he threatened to stab, rape, and behead Jewish people, prosecutors said. He faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000. His lawyer said he was remorseful for threats that stemmed from a “bad decision.” (The New York Times) 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 INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT [Emerging Markets in Overseas Recruitment]( [STORY IMAGE]( UPCOMING: April 23, 2024 | 2 p.m. ET. 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