Afternoon Update: High-school seniors’ FAFSA completions drop 11.6% through June, data show

The 49 DEI staffers who were fired in a day; U. of Florida ends probe of alleged faculty interference; college to halve most course lengths; 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](. STUDENT AID [High-School Seniors’ FAFSA Completions Drop 11.6% Through June, Data Show]( The drop, stemming from the Education Department’s [disastrous rollout]( of a new [Free Application for Federal Student Aid]( means that 250,000 fewer of the students finished the key document than did members of last year’s senior class, according to the National College Attainment Network’s [FAFSA Tracker](. (NCAN, The Chronicle) ADVERTISEMENT [High-School Seniors’ FAFSA Completions Drop 11.6% Through June, Data Show]( RACE ON CAMPUS [These 49 DEI Staffers Were Fired in One Day]( By Fernanda Zamudio-Suarez [STORY IMAGE]( Plus, in four states anti-DEI legislation has gone into effect. Get the details. WHO'S IN CHARGE [U. of Florida Ends Investigation Into Alleged Faculty Interference With New Center]( Under pressure from its faculty union and a major donor, the university ended an inquiry into [whether six faculty members “interfered”]( with curricular development at the Hamilton Center for Classical and Civic Education, which was [created by the state’s Republican-led government]( and so has been criticized as encroaching on faculty authority. (The Independent Florida Alligator, The Chronicle) CURRICULUM [Illinois Central College to Cut Majority of Courses’ Term Lengths in Half]( The community college will reduce most of its courses to eight weeks from 16 weeks because 70 percent of its students attend part time and have at least one job. Shorter courses could increase students’ success and enable them to graduate faster, said the college’s president, Sheila Quirk-Bailey. (WEEK) FACULTY AUTHORITY [U. of Kentucky Violated Public-Records Law During Fight Over Senate, Official Says]( The university broke the law twice when it refused to release records related to a [controversial plan to eliminate the University Senate]( the state’s attorney general said in cases brought by a professor emeritus and by a local newspaper. The university’s board and [president]( in June [replaced the Senate]( with a purely advisory body. (Lexington Herald-Leader, The Chronicle) Upcoming Workshop [The Chronicle's Crash Course in Academic Leadership | August 2024] If you’re curious about becoming an academic administrator, we’re once again offering The Chronicle’s Academic Leadership Crash Course, a four-hour virtual workshop designed for faculty aspiring to administrative roles. Join us in August to gain essential insights, practical tips, and valuable resources that will help you pursue your next professional step. [Learn more and register!]( SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to essential news, analysis, and advice. Virtual Events: Tune In Live MENTAL HEALTH IN HIGHER ED [Student Mental Health and Safety]( [STORY IMAGE]( UPCOMING: July 16, 2024 | 2 p.m. ET: Amid a mental-health crisis on campus, how can safety officers, mental-health professionals, and the campus police work to ensure student safety? Join us for a free forum. With Support From AT&T. [Register here.]( AI IN HIGHER ED [How to Develop a Chatbot to Serve Your Students]( [STORY IMAGE]( UPCOMING: July 17, 2024 | 2 p.m. ET. Colleges are already seeing improved enrollment and retention with chatbots, but many higher-ed leaders still wonder where to begin. Join us to learn how to get started. With Support From AWS. [Register here.]( ADVERTISEMENT FROM THE CHRONICLE STORE [Overcoming Student Loneliness - The Chronicle Store]( [Overcoming Student Loneliness]( Students are especially vulnerable to loneliness, which can be difficult to measure and hard to combat. [Order this report]( for expert insights to foster stronger social connections on your campus. 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](. [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