Academe Today: What does an A really mean? A Chronicle forum.

A president explains why his college had to close; Harvard resumes requiring admissions tests; a new department chair or a bureaucrat; and more. ADVERTISEMENT [Academe Today Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. MAKING THE GRADE [What Does an A Really Mean?]( By Beckie Supiano [STORY IMAGE]( We asked professors, students, and high-school counselors. ADVERTISEMENT BACKGROUNDER [The Grade Inflation Conversation We’re Not Having]( By Jeff Denning, Eric Eide, Kevin Mumford, Rich Patterson, and Merrill Warnick [STORY IMAGE]( GPAs are going up, but colleges aren’t talking about it. 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. SPONSOR CONTENT | Washington State University [Facing the Climate Challenge]( 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. THE EDGE [18,000 More Low-Income Students]( By Goldie Blumenstyk [STORY IMAGE]( Eight years on, the American Talent Initiative is “back on the growth trend,” but lags far behind its goal. 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. Virtual Events: Tune In Live INTERNATIONAL RECRUITMENT [Emerging Markets in Overseas Recruitment]( [STORY IMAGE]( UPCOMING: April 23, 2024 | 2 p.m. ET. Many colleges are seeking to recruit beyond popular nations like India and China. Join us for a forum on international recruiting. With Support From Keystone Education Group. [Register here.]( HIGHER-ED WORK FORCE [Preventing Faculty Burnout]( [STORY IMAGE]( UPCOMING: April 24, 2024 | 2 p.m. ET. A recent Chronicle survey found differing views of burnout between faculty members and administrators. Join us to learn how colleges can help prevent it. With Support From NCFDD. [Register here.]( RURAL COLLEGES [Building the Rural Work Force]( [STORY IMAGE]( UPCOMING: May 1, 2024 | 2 p.m. ET. Learn how rural colleges can team up with small-town employers to provide technical training in manufacturing, health care, engineering, and agriculture. With Support From Ascendium. [Register here.]( SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to essential news, analysis, and advice. Views 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. SPONSOR CONTENT | Florida Atlantic University [Low Income to High Outcomes]( We're diving into how a degree from Florida Atlantic positions students to rapidly move up income brackets. ADVERTISEMENT FROM THE CHRONICLE STORE [The Future of Diversity Training - The Chronicle Store]( [The Future of Diversity Training]( Diversity training for faculty and staff members is widely used across higher education. Yet there’s little agreement on whether such training is effective. [Order this report]( for insights to improve your college’s approach to building a culture that supports diversity. Upcoming Workshop [The Chronicle's Women Leading Change Program | Spring 2024] [Join us this spring]( for a virtual professional development program designed for women leaders across various roles in higher ed. This workshop series will help participants better understand the complex set of challenges they may face and think creatively to implement transformative change on their campuses. [Reserve your spot today!]( JOB OPPORTUNITIES [Instructor, Nursing Medical/Surgical]( Foothill-De Anza Community College District [Search other jobs.]( CAREER RESOURCES [April article collection about salary negotiation] [Read the April collection]( to learn strategies on salary negotiation. Dive into our topics on why negotiating every offer matters, what to do if you were lowballed, and more! 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