Afternoon Update: Colleges have agreed to pay athletes. What’s next?

A prominent president goes from the frying pan to the fire; the dark art of enrollment management; strike ends at Western Washington U.; 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](. A SEA CHANGE [Colleges Have Agreed to Pay Athletes. What’s Next?]( By Nell Gluckman [STORY IMAGE]( The agreement, by the NCAA and the nation’s most high-powered athletic conferences, is part of a historic settlement that still faces review by a judge. ADVERTISEMENT A TRICKY RELATIONSHIP [He Came From the Frying Pan. Can He Manage the Fire?]( By David Jesse [STORY IMAGE]( Governance strife drove Kevin Guskiewicz from Chapel Hill to Michigan State University, where he has a pledge of good behavior from a board known for its meddling. Will it last? THE REVIEW | OPINION [The Dark Art of Enrollment Management]( By Stephen Burd [STORY IMAGE]( Funds that once went to students in need are now spent on climbing the rankings. THE REVIEW | ESSAY [Do Humanists Know Anything?]( By Chris Haufe [STORY IMAGE]( We need to learn to make a better case for what we do. JUST UPDATED [DEI Legislation Tracker]( By Chronicle Staff [STORY IMAGE]( We’ve updated the tracker with bills in Iowa, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Tennessee that seek to dismantle colleges’ diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. ACADEMIC LABOR [After 2-Day Strike, Student Workers and Western Washington U. Agree on Contract]( More than 1,100 graduate and undergraduate students walked off their jobs on Tuesday as their union, a UAW affiliate, was trying to negotiate its first contract with the university. [Sticking points]( included higher pay and tuition and fee relief. The union said the university had made key concessions. The agreement faces a ratification vote by the union’s members. (The Bellingham Herald) CAMPUS UNREST [U. of California Is Denied Court Order to Stop Academic Workers’ Strike]( The walkout by thousands of grad-student instructors and researchers, which [began this week]( on UC’s Santa Cruz campus and threatens to spread, concerns the system’s response to protests of the Israel-Hamas war. UC officials said the strike is illegal because of a no-strike clause in the workers’ contract, but the state’s labor board rejected that argument. (Los Angeles Times, The Chronicle) GOVERNANCE [UNC Board Lacked Power to Divert DEI Money to Police, System Head Says]( The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s Board of Trustees voted last week to [shift $2.3 million in funding]( from diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts to campus public safety, acting in advance of a vote this week by the system’s board to [gut DEI](. But Peter Hans, the system president, said the trustees could not amend the budget and nullified their decision. (The News & Observer, WUNC) THE ALTERNATIVE [Pro-Palestinian Protesters at U. of Oregon End Encampment After Agreement]( Among other provisions of the agreement, the university’s president expressed support for a Gaza ceasefire, the University Senate will look into UO policies on purchasing and investing, students and scholars affected by the Middle East conflict will get support, and protesters’ willingness to reach the deal will be a factor in any disciplinary proceedings. (Daily Emerald) CAMPUS CUTS I [SUNY’s Buffalo State Plans to Cut 37 Underused Programs and Offer Buyouts]( The president of the State University of New York campus, Bonita R. Durand, said she would deal with a $16.5-million deficit by giving staff members incentives to retire and by continuing a hiring freeze. She said the 37 programs serve only 34 students. (The Buffalo News) CAMPUS CUTS II [Viterbo U. Will Reduce Staff by 3% Amid Low Enrollment and Budget Deficit]( The president of the Roman Catholic university in Wisconsin, Richard Trietley, said 13 people would be laid off, 14 vacant positions would be eliminated, and two would be frozen. No specific groups or departments were targeted in the $2 million in cuts. (La Crosse Tribune) CLOSING TIME [Delaware College of Art and Design Will Close Later This Year]( The tiny 24-year-old institution cited as reasons falling enrollment, rising costs, and [complications stemming]( from the [disastrous rollout]( of the new Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The college said it would help students transfer to partner institutions. (Delaware Public Media, The Chronicle) 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 current trends in higher ed, effective ways to manage a department, strategic planning, and more. [Register today!]( No Newsletter on Monday Because of the Memorial Day holiday, we will not be sending you this or other newsletters on Monday. We will be back in your inbox on Tuesday. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to essential news, analysis, and advice. Virtual Events: Tune In Live RURAL COLLEGES [College Partnerships to Fuel Rural Development]( [STORY IMAGE]( UPCOMING: June 11, 2024 | 2 p.m. ET. Rural colleges are often hundreds of miles from other higher-education institutions, so they must form partnerships outside the sector to achieve their goals. With Support From Ascendium. [Register here.]( STUDENT SUCCESS [Improving the First-Year Experience]( [STORY IMAGE]( UPCOMING: June 12, 2024 | 2 p.m. ET. Freshman year is make or break for many students, especially those with social, emotional, or logistical challenges. Join us to explore how to make the first year great for them. With Support From Mongoose. [Register here.]( ADVERTISEMENT FROM THE CHRONICLE STORE [The Athletics Advantage - The Chronicle Store]( [The Athletics Advantage]( For tuition-driven institutions, sports are often a key recruiting tool. [Order this report]( for insights on how small colleges are using athletics to drive student enrollment, engagement, and retention. 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](. 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