Weekly Briefing: How Columbia U. set off a wave of protests

Our reporter was on the Morningside Heights campus. ADVERTISEMENT [Weekly Briefing Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. The scene at Columbia University 📣 We’re experimenting with the Weekly Briefing’s format, highlighting four top stories. If you have suggestions or feedback, [let me know here]( or send me an email: fernanda@chronicle.com. - What Columbia University really looks like. This week, pro-Palestinian student protests erupted at colleges across the country. Columbia University is the campus that sparked the latest wave of demonstrations. Last week, police arrested students and visitors after they refused to take down an encampment on Columbia’s main lawn. [Here’s the scene]( as it was when our Kate Hidalgo Bellows reported from the Morningside Heights campus. - A bonus: Pro-Palestinian protesters have staged sit-ins at campuses across the country. (We’re tracking the protests [here](. Many are urging their institutions to “fully divest” from Israel. [Understand their demands here](. - Colleges are digging deeper into their endowments. Why? In the 2021 fiscal year, Webster University, in the suburbs of St. Louis, saw its endowment grow by 20 percent, peaking at about $157 million. By May 2023, the university had withdrawn nearly half of those funds. The institution made this financial move to secure a $10-million line of credit and “to support operations.” Webster isn’t alone. What was once a taboo move — to withdraw more than 5 percent of endowment funds — is becoming more common. [Our Dan Bauman explains why](. - How did this chancellor hang on for nearly 15 years? When Randy Woodson’s contract expires in June, he will have spent 15 years as chancellor of North Carolina State University. That’s nearly three times as long as the average campus leader. Under his leadership, N.C. State joined the club of public universities that succesfully fundraised $2 billion or more. And as elected officials in North Carolina and across the country are bashing higher education, Woodson enjoys a nice relationship with members of the Republican-controlled General Assembly. [Our Karin Fischer reports on the secret to his longevity](. (This story was produced in partnership with [The Assembly]( - So you’ve been told no. How do you respond? Sometimes your idea or pet project is rejected. Some leaders are better than others at handing down that rejection. While you can’t control how you’re told no, you can control your reaction. First, assume the decision isn’t personal. It’s business. Then, be a good sport, and you’ll see that your response will help you down the line. Read more about how to be a graceful rejectee in our free, weekly [Your Career newsletter](. SPECIAL OFFER FOR NEW SUBSCRIBERS Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for as low as $59. Take advantage of our limited- time savings event and get unlimited access to essential reporting, data, and analysis. ADVERTISEMENT www.nafsa.org/AC24PostEBRegdigitalads?wlbelineID=1725991 Lagniappe - Learn. There’s a rich resource in the top section of this newsletter about how to react when you’re told no. Here’s why you should say [no more often](. (The New York Times) - Read. During the Cold War, thousands of Greek children were adopted by Americans. Many of these children were separated from their birth families due to political persecution in the aftermath of the Greek Civil War. [This is the story]( of those still searching for answers about what happened. (Politico) - Listen. Singer Linda Martell helped pave the way for country singers of color. Here’s her 1970 album [Color Me Country](. —Fernanda Upcoming Workshop [The Chronicle's Administrative Leadership Institute | May 2024] [Join us in May]( for a virtual professional development program designed for administrative staff leaders. This workshop series will help participants better understand the complexities of collaboration within and between teams, and help them drive institutional initiatives. [Reserve your spot today!]( Chronicle Top Reads THE REVIEW | OPINION [Elise Stefanik, Dean of Faculty]( By David A. Bell [STORY IMAGE]( The zealous Trump booster wields dangerous influence over higher education. SPONSOR CONTENT | Loughborough University [AI's Strategic Role in Academia]( Gain insights from Nick Jennings as he navigates the landscape of AI implementation in higher education, shaping a future defined by ethical innovation and progress. THE REVIEW | OPINION [Protest and Civil Disobedience Are Two Different Things]( By Keith E. Whittington [STORY IMAGE]( Students and administrators need clear sets of principles about campus activism. THE REVIEW | OPINION [Why Students Must Shout to Be Heard]( By Gabriel Winant [STORY IMAGE]( The new wave of protests isn’t just about Gaza. It’s a response to the undemocratic university. ADVERTISEMENT FROM THE CHRONICLE STORE [Fostering Students' Free Expression - Buy Now]( [Higher Education in 2035]( Higher education is facing an array of challenges: economic headwinds, political pressures, and shifting demographics. [Order your copy]( to help your institution prepare for what’s ahead, and discover how the sector will evolve in the coming decade. 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](. 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