Afternoon Update: The College-Cost Conundrum

Oregon faculty given discretion on Covid policies; where higher ed's going; decoupling from Russia; power of a pitch; $500 million in raises; and more ADVERTISEMENT [Afternoon Update Logo]( Did someone forward you this newsletter? [Sign up free]( to receive your own copy. THE REVIEW | OPINION [The College-Cost Conundrum]( By Phillip Levine [STORY IMAGE]( College is cheaper than students and their families think. ADVERTISEMENT LIVE CORONAVIRUS UPDATES [U. of Oregon Says the Era of 100% Flexible Attendance Policies Is Over]( By Kate Hidalgo Bellows [STORY IMAGE]( The announcement comes as many colleges are ending their mask mandates and returning to fully in-person classes. THE EDGE [Four Ideas on Where Higher Ed Is Headed]( By Goldie Blumenstyk At our higher-ed shark tank, innovators pitched new models for international education, “authentic” admissions, building social capital, and career development. LATITUDES [Conscious Decoupling]( By Karin Fischer [STORY IMAGE]( As colleges grapple with whether to keep or cut ties with Russia, a scholar from the region weighs in. ADVICE [The Power of the Pitch]( By Rachel Toor [STORY IMAGE]( How to land an idea isn’t a skill we spend much time honing in ourselves or our students. But we should. CREDENTIALS [Thousands of Maryland Government Jobs Will No Longer Require a 4-Year Degree]( The shift is part of a new effort to expand job opportunities, Gov. Larry Hogan announced on Tuesday. (The Baltimore Sun) COMPENSATION [Missouri President Pledges $500 Million in Faculty-Salary Increases]( Mun Choi, who leads both the university system and its flagship campus, said the five-year pay raises would be based on performance. The system has [nearly 6,000]( faculty members. (Columbia Daily Tribune) FACULTY [U. of Texas Professor Wins Lawsuit Over Pregnancy and Sex Discrimination]( Evdokia Nikolova, an assistant professor of electrical and computer engineering, said the Austin campus had denied her tenure because of her gender and pregnancy. A jury awarded her $3 million, but her lawyer said the amount was capped at $300,000. (Austin American-Statesman) CONSOLIDATION [Minnesota State Board Approves Merger of 5 Community Colleges]( The campuses — Hibbing Community College, Itasca Community College, Mesabi Range College, Rainy River Community College, and Vermilion Community College — will become a single accredited institution with six campuses. (System news release) ACADEMIC FREEDOM [Oklahoma Christian U. Allegedly Fires Professor for Inviting Gay Speaker]( The faculty member, who taught graphic design for 41 years, is considering his options, his lawyer said. The university said “the well-being of our students” was central to its decision to dismiss him. (KFOR) TRAGIC ACCIDENT [9 Killed in Crash Involving U. of the Southwest Golf Teams]( Among the dead were six students and a coach returning from a tournament for men’s and women’s teams in Midland, Tex. Two students were critically injured. Also killed were two people in a pickup truck that authorities said had caused the head-on collision. (ESPN) EVENTS [Browse Upcoming and On-Demand Virtual Events]( [STORY IMAGE]( Join a discussion with national experts and leading practitioners on how to navigate an uncertain future and what new ideas your institution can pursue. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to essential news, analysis, and advice. SPONSOR CONTENT | University of Delaware [Meeting students’ needs at the University of Delaware]( ADVERTISEMENT FROM THE CHRONICLE STORE [The Library of the Future]( [The Library of the Future]( Academic libraries occupy a central position on campus, literally and figuratively. Explore the challenges libraries and librarians have endured in recent years, how this transformation is affecting institutions, and the ways they’ve adapted to it. [Order your copy today.]( NEWSLETTER FEEDBACK What did you think of today’s newsletter? [Strongly disliked]( | [It was ok]( | [Loved it]( 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. © 2022 [The Chronicle of Higher Education]( 1255 23rd Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037