Afternoon Update: Does Charlie Munger’s death finally put an end to Dormzilla?

Top editors of key international-ed journal quit; Harvard faces civil-rights probe; controversial higher-ed bill in Ohio said to lack votes; 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](. CAMPUS DESIGNS [Does Charlie Munger’s Death Finally Put an End to Dormzilla?]( By Katherine Mangan [STORY IMAGE]( The University of California at Santa Barbara was vague on Wednesday about the fate of the $1.5-billion dormitory project, backed by the financier and set to house 3,500 students. LATITUDES [Top Editors of a Key International-Ed Journal Resign in a Dispute Over Management]( By Karin Fischer [STORY IMAGE]( Concerns about open access and a lack of transparency at the Journal of International Students are dividing international-education scholars. THE EDGE [A Big Goal for More Graduates Falls Short]( By Goldie Blumenstyk [STORY IMAGE]( APLU’s “Powered by Publics” project promised to help hundreds of thousands more students earn degrees by 2025. It didn’t. ADVICE [The Provost Files: When to Steal Good National Ideas]( By George Justice [STORY IMAGE]( A key dilemma for new leaders is figuring out which local practices to protect and which to jettison. CIVIL RIGHTS ON CAMPUS [Education Dept. Opens Investigation Into Harvard for Possible Civil-Rights Violations]( The department’s Office for Civil Rights has added the university to its [list of eight colleges]( that are under scrutiny for antisemitism or Islamophobia, possible violations of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war last month. (The Wall Street Journal, department website) IN THE STATES [Ohio’s House Speaker Says Controversial Higher-Ed Overhaul Lacks the Votes to Pass]( The speaker, Jason Stephens, said the [legislation]( does not have enough support to win approval in the Republican-led House. [The bill’s]( sponsor, Sen. Jerry C. Cirino, a Republican, has scaled it back, but it would still [ban diversity efforts]( require courses in American government or history, forbid gifts from China, and [ease efforts to cut]( programs and faculty jobs. (The Columbus Dispatch, The Chronicle) TITLE IX CASES [Allegations of Sexual Violence at Fresno State Resurface at Nearby City College]( An instructor at Fresno City College was found to have committed an “act of sexual violence” in 2015 against a professor and former colleague at California State University at Fresno, where he taught until he resigned under pressure in 2022, but he still won tenure this year at FCC. Colleges [often don’t or can’t]( share [information about employees]( with [such records](. (EdSource, The Chronicle) BELEAGUERED COLLEGE [College of Saint Rose Asks New York and Albany Officials for Emergency Funds]( State officials said such funding was unlikely for the financially strapped college, whose plunging enrollment and fiscal troubles have drawn the attention of its accreditor. City and county officials said they were exploring options. (Times Union) CAMPUS SYMBOLS [Rice U. Moves Statue and Remains of Its Founder]( A month after the Texas university released a [260-page report]( on its [history of racism]( it has moved to a cemetery the remains of William Marsh Rice, a slaveowner who created the college for white students only. The remains had been located under a prominent statue on campus that has also been moved. The changes were endorsed by Rice’s descendants, the board, and other leaders. (Houston 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. Virtual Events: Tune In Live STUDENT AFFAIRS [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.]( ACADEMIC PROGRAMS [Data Science Unbound]( [STORY IMAGE]( UPCOMING: December 7, 2023 | 2 p.m. ET: Experts will explore rising student demand for data science in the liberal arts and the challenges the trend presents, including faculty shortages and course sharing. With Support From Microsoft. [Register here.]( SPONSOR CONTENT | The University of Birmingham [Decision intelligence for a changing climate: The University of Birmingham joins the UK Met Office Academic Partnership]( 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