Afternoon Update: How "diversity" became the master concept of our age (opinion)

The dept. chair arrested at Emory speaks out; the latest on the protests at Chicago, Middlebury, and RISD; time to reset course innovation; 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](. THE REVIEW | ESSAY [How ‘Diversity’ Became the Master Concept of Our Age]( By Nicolas Langlitz [STORY IMAGE]( Across the ideological spectrum, it’s become a bedrock value. What does it mean? ADVERTISEMENT FACULTY Q&A [‘Call the Philosophy Department Office and Tell Them I Have Been Arrested’]( By Nell Gluckman [STORY IMAGE]( An Emory professor who was arrested when the police broke up an encampment spoke to The Chronicle about what happened, and what it says about the state of higher education. ADVICE [After a Tough Year for Classroom Innovation, It’s Time for a Reset]( By Sarah Rose Cavanagh [STORY IMAGE]( How to better support instructors in the face of faculty backlash against the demands of student-centered teaching. THE REVIEW | OPINION [The Curious Case of Economic Theory]( By Ran Spiegler [STORY IMAGE]( Once central to the field, it has slipped in prestige. CAMPUS UNREST I [U. of Chicago Police Clear Protest Encampment, but With No Arrests]( In a brief raid early this morning, about 50 university police officers removed tents and barriers. Pro-Palestinian protesters remained in the area and later re-entered the quad. The university is home to the Chicago Principles, an [oft-copied set]( of standards for [campus free expression]( that has [drawn criticism]( amid the recent protests. (Chicago Tribune, The Chronicle) CAMPUS UNREST II [Pro-Palestinian Protesters Occupy Building at Rhode Island School of Design]( The institution said it would relocate classes that had been scheduled to meet in the building, whose occupiers are both students and people in the community. A spokeswoman said RISD respected students’ rights to free expression and peaceful assembly. (The Providence Journal) THE ALTERNATIVE [After Reaching Deal With Middlebury College, Student Protesters Take Down Tents]( The students voted on Sunday to accept an agreement reached over the weekend by their negotiators and administrators at the Vermont college. By Monday afternoon, the encampment had largely been dismantled. Middlebury joined a handful of other colleges who were [able to peacefully resolve]( their [student protests](. (VT Digger, The Chronicle) HIRING [MIT Will No Longer Require Diversity Statements for Hiring Faculty Members]( Applicants had been required to explain how they would enhance diversity at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Free-speech advocates and conservatives have [criticized the policy](. MIT’s president, [who survived]( an [appearance before a House committee]( in December, said the policy compelled speech and [did not work](. (The New York Times, The Chronicle) STATE SUPPORT [UConn and Other Public Colleges in Connecticut to Get $160 Million in Vast Deal]( Under the big spending package, negotiated by top state lawmakers, public campuses would get a major share of unspent federal money from the [American Rescue Plan Act]( a pandemic-era program. The University of Connecticut [had been facing]( a huge deficit. (Connecticut Insider, The Chronicle) CONSOLIDATION [St. Ambrose U. and Mount Mercy U. Plan Strategic Combination]( The two small Roman Catholic universities in Iowa said they were not merging but were seeking an arrangement that would allow students to take courses, in person, online, or hybrid, at either institution. The universities are about 80 miles apart. (KWQC) UPCOMING PROGRAM [The Chronicle's Strategic-Leadership Program for Department Chairs | June 2024] [Join us in June]( for a professional development program tailored to the needs of department chairs. Experienced academic leaders will provide insights on the the current trends in higher ed, effective ways to manage a department, strategic planning, and more. [Register today!]( SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to essential news, analysis, and advice. Virtual Events: Tune In Live LIBRARIES AND TECH [The Strategic Value of Libraries]( [STORY IMAGE]( UPCOMING: May 9, 2024 | 2 p.m. ET. 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[Register here.]( 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. 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](. 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