Afternoon Update: Should You Retire Early?

Arizona State denies playing politics; Idaho lawmakers question bid for U. of Phoenix; another Confucius Institute closes; and more. ADVERTISEMENT [Afternoon Update Logo]( Did someone forward you this newsletter? [Sign up free]( to receive your own copy. You can now read The Chronicle on [Apple News]( [Flipboard]( and [Google News](. ADVICE [Should You Retire Early?]( By Claire Bond Potter and William Pannapacker [STORY IMAGE]( A Q&A with two academics, in English and history, on the intricacies of the decision to end a faculty career. ADVERTISEMENT CAMPUS SPEECH [Arizona State Denies Claims That a Center Director Lost Her Job Over Campus Speakers]( Ann Atkinson, who has led the T.W. Lewis Center for Personal Development since 2021, alleged in a Wall Street Journal opinion essay this week that the university was closing the center in retaliation for her decision to bring several conservative speakers to campus earlier this year. University officials said the center was shuttering because its main donor decided to terminate his support. (The Arizona Republic) FINANCE [Lawmakers Question Deal Between U. of Idaho and U. of Phoenix]( The state’s budgeting committee met this week to discuss potential financial risks associated with the university’s purchase of the for-profit institution, which was announced last month. University officials argued that taxpayer money would only be on the line in a worst-case scenario — in other words, if Phoenix didn’t produce enough revenue to cover debt payments related to the acquisition. (KTVB) PATIENT PRIVACY [Vanderbilt U. Medical Center Provides Transgender Patients’ Records to Attorney General]( The Tennessee attorney general’s office asked for the documents in connection with an investigation into potential medical billing fraud. But families of children who sought care at VUMC fear what the state could do with those records in a fraught political climate. Tennessee and several other Republican-controlled states recently banned gender-affirming care for transgender children. (The Tennessean) TRADEMARK LAWSUIT [U. of Rochester Sues Rochester U. Over Alleged Trademark Infringement]( Rochester University, a 1,200-student private institution in Michigan, recently changed its name from Rochester College. That’s led to a spat involving the University of Rochester, an 12,000-student private institution in New York, which alleges that the newly christened Rochester University has damaged its brand and caused confusion among prospective students. (Democrat & Chronicle) LATITUDES [Latitudes: Political Pressures Lead Another College to Shut Down Its Confucius Institute]( By Karin Fischer [STORY IMAGE]( Plus, a new network focuses on South Asia and South Asians in higher ed. THE EDGE [The Edge: Ready or Not, AI Is Here]( By Goldie Blumenstyk [STORY IMAGE]( Among the key concerns of experts pondering the impact of the technology: trying to ensure it “does not deepen the digital divide.” 'KIND OF A NO-NO' [Bowling Coach at Stephen F. Austin U. Resigns After Having an Affair With a Student]( Steve Lemke, formerly an assistant coach for the national-championship-winning program, admitted to having a relationship with a student on the team — which violated university policies that bar relationships between employees and students. Lemke’s wife, Amber, is the program’s head coach; they recently filed for divorce. (The Lufkin Daily News) 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. 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