Afternoon Update: Does what you do matter? (opinion)

Michigan State accreditation is under review; U. of Tampa faces U.S. civil-rights inquiry; feds move to cut off aid to troubled college; and more. [Afternoon Update Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. ADVICE [Admin 101: Does What You Do Matter?]( By David D. Perlmutter [STORY IMAGE]( Five ways for academic administrators to make sure they are paying attention to work that matters. ADVERTISEMENT GOVERNANCE [Michigan State’s Accreditation Is Under Review Based on Complaint About Board Chair]( The complaint, filed with the Higher Learning Commission, alleges that the chair violated the accreditor’s standards forbidding a board to interfere in a university’s day-to-day operations or to allow donors to influence decisions. The controversy reflects a [struggle]( among [members of the board itself]( as it attempts to [pick a new president](. (The State News, The Chronicle) CIVIL RIGHTS ON CAMPUS [U. of Tampa Is 7th College to Face Federal Inquiry Into Antisemitism or Islamophobia]( The U.S. Education Department’s Office for Civil Rights is [investigating reports of discrimination]( on the Florida campus and others, in violation of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, since the Israel-Hamas war’s outbreak. An official said the department lacked the staff to handle the influx of cases. (CNN, department website) BELEAGUERED CAMPUS [Education Dept. Fines Troubled College in Ohio $4.3 Million and Moves to Cut Off Aid]( The department said that Union Institute and University, a private institution that seems on the [brink of closure]( had illegally taken more Title IV financial aid than it was due. Union, which canceled its fall terms and has repeatedly missed payroll, [was evicted]( from its building this month. (Higher Ed Dive, The Chronicle, WKRC) CAMPUS CUTS [U. of Nebraska at Lincoln Will Cut 30 Staff Jobs and Not Fill Open Faculty Posts]( The steps will help close a $12-million budget deficit stemming from declining enrollment and rising costs. The chancellor, Rodney D. Bennett, [sought recommendations]( this month on what to cut. He said academic programs should be preserved but might be cut next. (Lincoln Journal Star, KOLN) FRESH STARTS [Incarcerated Students Make History by Earning Bachelor’s Degrees at Northwestern U.]( When 16 people in Illinois’s Stateville Correctional Center got their diplomas last week, they became the first such students to receive degrees from a top university. With the [restoration]( this year of inmates’ eligibility for Pell Grants, [many colleges]( hope to expand such opportunities. (Chicago Defender, The Chronicle) ATHLETICS [U. of Utah Parts Ways With Coach Amid Gymnasts’ Allegations]( The university initially stood behind Tom Farden, who has been accused of emotional and verbal abuse by his athletes, but on Tuesday it cut ties. Farden, who said he was grateful to coach at Utah since 2016, is [among several gymnastics coaches]( to face such accusations. (The Washington Post) 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. No Newsletter on Thursday or Friday Because of the Thanksgiving Day holiday, we will not be sending you this or other newsletters on Thursday or Friday. We will be back in your inbox on Monday. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to essential news, analysis, and advice. Virtual Events: Tune In Live STUDENT SUCCESS [Supporting Student Success: Staff and Roles]( [STORY IMAGE]( UPCOMING: December 5, 2023 | 2 p.m. ET: Colleges prioritize student success through advising and performance-tracking programs, but staff burnout and turnover present a challenge. Join us to discuss it. With Support From Mongoose. [Register here.]( STUDENT SUCCESS [Starting a Program for Incarcerated Students]( [STORY IMAGE]( UPCOMING: December 6, 2023 | 2 p.m. ET: With federal aid now available for students in prisons to take courses for credit, many colleges want to start or expand programs for them. Join us for advice on doing so. With Support From Ascendium. [Register here.]( ADVERTISEMENT FROM THE CHRONICLE STORE [The Unionized Campus - The Chronicle Store]( [The Unionized Campus]( The number of graduate-student unions has increased more than four-fold since 2019. [Order your copy]( to learn what’s at stake as union membership grows, and explore effective strategies for colleges to build relationships with new and existing unions. 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. © 2023 [The Chronicle of Higher Education]( 1255 23rd Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037