Afternoon Update: Jury Finds Purdue Retaliated Against Student Who Alleged Assault

Ten ways to rebuild department culture; UNC-Charlotte apologizes for detaining Sikh student; former professor pleads guilty over China ties; and more. ADVERTISEMENT [Afternoon Update Logo]( Did someone forward you this newsletter? [Sign up free]( to receive your own copy. SEXUAL ASSAULT [Jury Finds Purdue Retaliated Against Student Who Made Assault Allegations]( In the case the university accused the student of lying about her assault by a fraternity member and suspended her. But the jury, which said Purdue had [violated due process]( and treated her differently because she was a woman, awarded her only $10,000. (Indiana Public Media, The Exponent) ADVERTISEMENT ADVICE [10 Ways to Rebuild Department Culture]( By Trisalyn Nelson [STORY IMAGE]( No one seems happy with the level of connection at work after two years of Covid. So how can chairs start repairing the damage? THE REVIEW [The Midterms Are Coming]( By Len Gutkin [STORY IMAGE]( Higher ed is on the ballot. CAMPUS SAFETY [UNC-Charlotte Apologizes for Handcuffing Sikh Student After 911 Call Over Knife]( The University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s chancellor said the small knife was a kirpan, an article of faith that Sikhs must carry at all times. The student was detained in the student union. State law and university policy bar edged weapons from campus. (The Charlotte Observer) INTERNATIONAL [Former Texas A&M Professor Pleads Guilty Over Undisclosed China Ties]( Zhengdong Cheng admitted receiving NASA grants while hiding ties to a Chinese university. Cheng, a U.S. citizen fired by Texas A&M, was caught in the China Initiative, a Trump-era federal investigation of [alleged economic espionage]( by China that has been [dropped]( by President Biden. Cheng was sentenced to time served and $107,000 in restitution and fines. (Associated Press, The Chronicle) LEADERSHIP [Sexual-Harassment Lawsuit Against President Prompts Protest at Weatherford College]( A former worker at the two-year public college in Texas said the president had [propositioned her]( several times, and transferred her when rebuffed. One protester, a former instructor, said she had quit after being transferred because of her appearance. (Weatherford Democrat, Fort Worth Star-Telegram) ACCREDITATION [Stratford U. Will Shut Campuses After Accreditor Is Decertified]( The for-profit university in Virginia had been accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools, whose [official recognition was terminated]( in August by the U.S. Education Department. (WRC, Education Department) CAMPUS LIFE [U. of South Florida Closes This Week as Hurricane Ian Approaches]( Classes have been canceled from Monday to Thursday, and the university’s two campuses, in Tampa and St. Petersburg, will close on Tuesday for all nonessential employees. Dining, housing, and other student services will continue. (The Oracle) 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. ADVERTISEMENT FROM THE CHRONICLE STORE [Reimagining the Student Experience - The Chronicle Store]( [Reimagining the Student Experience]( Many colleges are intentionally rethinking and reshaping what has broadly become known as the student experience. [Order your copy today]( to explore the many forces affecting the student experience with the goal of making students’ time on campus more engaging. 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. © 2022 [The Chronicle of Higher Education]( 1255 23rd Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037