Afternoon Update: The Dubious Data Behind the Rankings Farce

What ed-tech funders seek; aiding displaced scholars; making campuses better places for careers; bill would fire South Carolina trustees; and more. ADVERTISEMENT [Afternoon Update Logo]( Did someone forward you this newsletter? [Sign up free]( to receive your own copy. BY THE NUMBERS [Do the ‘U.S. News’ Rankings Rely on Dubious Data?]( By Francie Diep [STORY IMAGE]( Researchers who submit to the publication say survey answers are subject to errors, ambiguity, and pressure to look good. ADVERTISEMENT THE REVIEW | OPINION [The Rankings Farce]( By Colin Diver [STORY IMAGE]( U.S. News and its ilk embrace faux-precise formulas riven with statistical misconceptions. THE EDGE [Funders Eye Ventures That Advance ‘Learning in the Flow of Work’]( By Goldie Blumenstyk This year’s ASU+GSV Summit — in person! — comes on the heels of two years of record levels of investor cash flowing into the ed-tech sector. LATITUDES [Aiding Displaced Scholars]( By Karin Fischer [STORY IMAGE]( Many colleges are supporting scholars affected by the war in Ukraine. How can efforts be sustained when global threats fade from the headlines? ADVICE [How to Make Your Campus a Better Place to Build a Career]( By Aaron Basko [STORY IMAGE]( Seven ways to improve the work environment for everyone in higher education. GOVERNANCE [Bill to Fire U. of South Carolina Trustees Is on Fast Track in State House]( The legislation, proposed by the House speaker, would cut the board’s voting members from 20 to 13 and dismiss all trustees in June 2023. The move stems from lawmakers’ anger over trustees’ spending decisions and hiring of a [failed president]( among other things. (Associated Press, The Chronicle) CAMPUS SAFETY [U. of Utah Fraternities and Sororities Commit to Change After Sexual-Assault Reports]( In a letter, two dozen Greek-life leaders promised additional training and education, and vowed to work on solutions with other campus organizations. (KUTV) CAMPUS SYMBOLS [Meredith College Removes Name From Campus Building]( The women’s college in North Carolina will rename Joyner Hall, which honors an early-20th-century advocate of white supremacy and Jim Crow who served on its board for 55 years. (The News & Observer) ACADEMIC LABOR Howard U. Adjunct and Non-Tenure-Track Faculty Members Ratify Contract After their union [reached an agreement]( with the university last month, the instructors overwhelmingly approved the deal this week. (Emailed news release, The Chronicle) 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 | Stony Brook University [Representation Matters]( 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