Weekly Briefing: Your higher-ed cheat sheet for 2020.

The presidential election is a few months away. Here’s where the Democratic candidates stand on higher ed. [Weekly Briefing] By Fernanda Zamudio-Suaréz Here’s where the leading 2020 Democratic candidates stand on higher-education issues. [Image] Getty Images It’s time to start paying attention. The Iowa Democratic caucuses are nearly one week away. On Monday, February 3, Democrats in the Hawkeye State will choose their preferred presidential candidate, and this event is the first in the presidential-primary season. You’ll be hearing a lot from the candidates over the next week. ADVERTISEMENT [advertisement]( The civics lesson is over. That means it’s time to figure out where higher education fits in the world of presidential politics, campaign promises, and the coming election. But first, let’s rewind to the last presidential election. During the 2016 campaign, the Democratic nominee, Hillary Clinton, had a free-college plan. The Republican nominee, Donald Trump, didn’t have such a plan. For the most part, higher education [was not a big issue]( in the 2016 race. The campaign did, however, help popularize [the idea of free college](. Nine Democratic candidates are left in the race, and six of them participated in the final primary debate. If you’re still wondering where the candidates stand on various issues or how their campaign promises align with your views, don’t worry. The Washington Post created [this helpful quiz]( to help you figure out which 2020 Democrats agree with you the most. The quiz does leave out some important issues, like whether the candidates support graduate-student unions — a reversal of Trump-administration policies — and how much the candidates would increase Pell Grant amounts or expand eligibility for the program to incarcerated students. Luckily, our Jonathan Custodio compiled the candidates’ stances on just those issues, and others. So where do the candidates stand on free college? Five of the six candidates who participated in the last debate have some sort of free-college plan. Here’s your cheat sheet: - Joe Biden wants two years of tuition-free community college, with the federal government covering 75 percent of the cost and the states paying the rest. - Pete Buttigieg opposes universal free college. He proposes free college tuition for students from families that earn up to $100,000 a year. Tuition subsidies would be available for families that earn up to $150,000. The subsidies would be tiered, depending on income. - Amy Klobuchar wants tuition-free community college. Under her plan, federal funds would match state-invested dollars for students who qualify for in-state tuition, are enrolled at least part time, and are in good academic standing. - Bernie Sanders wants to invest $48 billion annually for free tuition at two-year and four-year public, historically black, tribal, and minority-serving colleges. The federal government would pay two-thirds of the costs, and the states and tribes the rest. - Elizabeth Warren wants tuition- and debt-free college at two-year and four-year public colleges. She would split the costs between the federal and state governments at a 2-to-1 ratio.The state would cover need-based financial aid and academic-instruction costs. - Tom Steyer hasn’t spoken about free college, and he didn’t respond to Jonathan’s question. To see where the candidates stand on the rest of the issues, [check out Jonathan’s story](. Best of the rest. [Image] Connie Yan - In this Harvard University class, the first time a student cheats on a homework assignment, the student has a 72-hour window to admit wrongdoing to avoid disciplinary action. After six years of this policy, the instructor thinks [more courses]( should adopt the rule. - After a presidential search that was filled with partisan bickering and political maneuvering, the University of South Carolina [released a report]( from an independent consultant that described its Board of Trustees as a group with a “fundamentally misguided governance culture.” Lagniappe. [Image] Rich Fury / Getty Images for The Chronicle - Learn. The New York Times has a new guide for developing [adult social skills](. Who knew that many of us weren’t taught self-awareness? - Read. The best part about the writer Lauren Groff is her use of verbs. Like this sentence: “Snow hissed against the window.” You don’t want to miss [her latest short story](. - Listen. The hip-hop artist Mac Miller died in his battle with addiction, in 2018. His posthumously released album, [Circles]( is about surviving that battle. - Watch. Being a college mascot is not all fun and games. [Here’s the proof](. I’ll be back next weekend. Speaking of, if you have a preference on what day you would like this email to land in your inbox, Saturday or Sunday, please let me know: fernanda@chronicle.com. Cheers, —Fernanda Subscribe Today The Chronicle’s award-winning journalism challenges conventional wisdom, holds academic leaders accountable, and empowers you to do your job better — and it’s your support that makes our work possible. [Subscribe Today]( This Week's Top Reads Teaching [Cheat on Your Homework? In This Harvard Class, Just Say You’re Sorry]( One professor’s policy has provided a window into why students cheat. Others are adopting it, too. (PREMIUM) ADVERTISEMENT [advertisement]( Paid for and Created by Cisco [Industrial revolution requires higher education adaptation]( With what some are calling the Fourth Industrial Revolution in full bloom, higher education and businesses must commit to ensuring the work force of today can remain employable. Leadership & Governance [U. of South Carolina’s ‘Fundamentally Misguided’ Trustees Let Politics Intrude on Jobs, Consultants Say]( After a presidential search that smacked of partisanship, the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges blasts the board for its lack of independence. (PREMIUM) Paid for and Created by Southeastern Conference ['It Just Means More': SEC Leads Charge With Student-Focused Academic Initiatives]( The SEC is home to more than top-notch intercollegiate athletics programs. It also houses a bevy of distinguished activities that allow its students to showcase, compete, and further their education in various capacities. Latest Jobs Visit [ChronicleVitae.com]( to view the latest jobs in higher education. --------------------------------------------------------------- [Sign up]( for other newsletters, [stop receiving]( this email, or [view]( our privacy policy. © 2020 [The Chronicle of Higher Education]( 1255 23rd Street, N.W. 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