Afternoon Update: Spat over teaching evaluations and low grades roils a department

Modeling free speech for students; framing test questions; a student's baseless online harassment of Asian American professors; and more. ADVERTISEMENT [Afternoon Update Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. GRADE DEBATE [A Spat Over Teaching Evaluations Roils a Department]( By Charlotte Matherly [STORY IMAGE]( Economics professors at James Madison University say they were reprimanded for giving too many low grades. ADVERTISEMENT THE REVIEW | OPINION [How to Model Free Speech for Students]( By Patricia McGuire [STORY IMAGE]( When presidents speak out, they encourage students to do the same. TEACHING [What’s the Best Way to Frame Test Questions?]( By Beckie Supiano [STORY IMAGE]( New research examines whether framing around a real, named scientist, a classmate, or “you” affects students’ performance and science identity. STUDENT ATTACKS [The Lurker: If You Were an Asian American Professor, You Were a Potential Target]( Years of baseless online attacks by a former student — including death threats, spurious accusations of sexual assault, and racist stereotyping — show [how powerless]( the victims of such harassment are to thwart it. The harassment continues to this day. (The Verge, The Chronicle) STUDENT HEALTH [New Jersey Law Will Require Colleges to Expand Suicide-Prevention Efforts]( Under the measure, which was signed into law last week and takes effect in 2024, [college employees]( will be trained on [signs of depression]( in order to [refer students]( to [crisis hotlines]( and [mental-health screenings](. The law also will require colleges to conduct [annual campaigns]( to promote [mental-health awareness](. (Asbury Park Press, The Chronicle) SEXUAL MISCONDUCT [Michigan State Investigation Finds That Ex-Coach Sexually Harassed Rape Survivor]( Mel Tucker, who was [fired for cause]( last month as the university’s head football coach, [violated its sexual-harassment policy]( in interactions with Brenda Tracy, whom he had hired as an educator in sexual-violence prevention, according to a 73-page report. Tucker has said they had a consensual relationship. (USA Today, The Chronicle) CAMPUS CUTS [U. of Wisconsin at Platteville Will Cut 111 Jobs and Other Spending to Balance Budget]( The university, one of [several]( in the [system]( facing [major]( budget [deficits]( will eliminate 12 percent of its work force through layoffs, voluntary separations, unfilled posts, and retirements. Two-thirds of the cuts are of staff. (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Oshkosh Northwestern, Wisconsin Public Radio, WBAY) CURRICULA [Newman U. Will Cut 8 Academic Programs and Add 10 Others]( The Kansas university said it needed to “to realign educational offerings with changing student trends, market forces, and emerging industry demands.” The programs to be dropped are English, finance, history, marketing, mathematics, philosophy, social work, and theater. Among those added are agribusiness, computer science, digital design, and adult and professional studies. (KWCH) STATE SUPPORT [Judge Dismisses Birmingham-Southern’s Lawsuit That Sought $30-Million State Loan]( The private college in Alabama had applied for the loan from a state program set up this year to [help colleges in financial distress]( stay afloat. But the state treasurer, Young J. Boozer III, denied the application, and the judge said Boozer had the authority to do so. (AL.com) WAR OF WORDS [Fake Front Pages of Student Newspaper Blame Northwestern U. for ‘Genocide’]( The single-page leaflets, designed to imitate The Daily Northwestern, included a headline that said, “Northwestern complicit in genocide of Palestinians.” The actual newspaper, its editor in chief said, “was unaware and unaffiliated with this page’s production and distribution.” NEWSLETTER [Sign Up for the Teaching Newsletter]( Find insights to improve teaching and learning across your campus. Delivered on Thursdays. To read this newsletter as soon as it sends, [sign up]( to receive it in your email inbox. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to essential news, analysis, and advice. 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