Afternoon Update: Why are we so squeamish about teaching "skills"? (opinion)

Tuition increases didn’t outpace inflation this year; why Confucius Institutes closed; Cornell student is charged with threatening massacre; 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](. ADVICE [Why Are We So Squeamish About Teaching ‘Skills’?]( By Leonard Cassuto [STORY IMAGE]( Professors have always preferred to teach content over skills. But shifting that focus might just revive our graduate programs. ADVERTISEMENT LATITUDES [Political Pressures and Funding Threats Led to Wave of Confucius Institute Closures]( By Karin Fischer [STORY IMAGE]( Plus, the latest tally of attacks on scholars, students, and academic freedom. COLLEGE COSTS [In ‘Buyer’s Market,’ Tuition Increases Haven’t Outpaced Inflation]( The College Board’s [2023 “Pricing and Student Aid” report]( shows that colleges’ average published tuition and fees rose this year, but contrary to the widespread perception of skyrocketing prices, the increase was less than the rate of inflation. (Inside Higher Ed, College Board) CAMPUS SAFETY [Cornell U. Student Is Charged With Threatening to Massacre Jewish Students on Campus]( The anonymous threats, posted in an online forum on fraternities and sororities, included vows to rape Jewish women at the Ivy League university in New York and throw them off a cliff, according to [law-enforcement authorities](. The [student]( a 21-year-old senior majoring in engineering, faces up to five years in prison if convicted. (Politico, Justice Department, The Cornell Daily Sun) FACULTY HIRING [U. of Washington Responds to Faculty Hiring That Improperly Used Race as a Factor]( UW found that “race was inappropriately considered and used … inconsistent with university policy” in the hiring of an assistant professor of psychology. The successful candidate is qualified and remains on the faculty; the university apologized to the other candidates. The psychology department is now barred from conducting tenured and tenure-track searches for two years. (UW statement) GRADUATE STUDENTS [U. of California at San Diego Drops Misconduct Charges Against Grad-Student Workers]( Before [the resolution]( 59 students faced expulsion for their alleged disruption of an alumni event. Three other students were accused of vandalism for messages they had posted on campus. Both protests stemmed from what they called UCSD’s reneging on a contract signed with their union, United Auto Workers Local 2865, after a [strike]( last year. (Times of San Diego, UC/UAW statement, The Chronicle) THE SUNSHINE STATE [Attorney General Says Florida Atlantic U.’s Presidential Search Violated State Law]( Ashley Moody’s conclusion that the search committee had violated the state’s Sunshine Law could further delay the university’s search for a new leader, which had been [halted because of “anomalies,”]( and may force the entire process to start over. (South Florida Sun Sentinel, The Chronicle) 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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