Afternoon Update: Does Raj Chetty practice what he preaches?

Your top higher-ed stories of 2023; Labor Department proposes rule to promote apprenticeships; whether Americans will resume study in China; 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](. WORKPLACE ETHICS [Does Raj Chetty Practice What He Preaches?]( By Nell Gluckman and Francie Diep [STORY IMAGE]( The celebrated economist has revealed how privilege replicates in America. Some former employees say his lab is part of the problem. ADVERTISEMENT TOP STORIES [2023: The Year in Higher Ed]( By Claire Wallace and Fernanda Zamudio-Suarez [STORY IMAGE]( ChatGPT, student mental health, and legislative attacks on DEI were among the dominant news and opinion topics of the past 12 months. LATITUDES [The Number of Americans Studying in China Took a Nosedive. Can Exchanges Recover?]( By Karin Fischer [STORY IMAGE]( China’s president wants 50,000 young Americans to study in his country. WORK-FORCE TRAINING [Labor Dept. Rule Would Promote Apprenticeships and Tighten Program’s Standards]( Part of the [proposed rule]( would start a program to make it easier for high-school and community-college students to enroll in the national apprenticeship system. The rule would also strengthen the system’s labor standards and worker protections. (Higher Ed Dive, department statement) CIVIL RIGHTS ON CAMPUS [Education Dept. Will Investigate 4 More Universities Over Alleged Discrimination]( The department’s Office for Civil Rights is looking into possible violations of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 stemming from alleged antisemitism or Islamophobia at Drexel University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and the Universities of California at Davis and Illinois at Chicago. Such inquiries are underway at about 20 other colleges. (Department website) THE WAR ON CAMPUS I [Israel-Hamas War Tests Limits of Free Speech at Some Colleges in North Texas]( Some students at the University of Texas at Dallas are protesting administrators’ removal of painted boulders, known as “spirit rocks,” that had been decorated with Palestinian and Israeli flags. UTD said such paintings had strayed from the rocks’ purpose. The protesters said the move had limited their free speech, but some Jewish students said the paintings had fostered an intimidating climate. (KERA) THE WAR ON CAMPUS II [U. of Vermont Professors Question Decision to Nix Palestinian Writer’s Appearance]( Shortly after the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, the university cited safety concerns in canceling a long-planned lecture by the writer, who has been accused of using antisemitic language. But according to emails obtained through an open-records request, no threats were made about the event. Faculty critics say UVM blocked the speech to avoid controversy. (Seven Days) 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. SPONSOR CONTENT | The University of Birmingham [Decision intelligence for a changing climate: The University of Birmingham joins the UK Met Office Academic Partnership]( 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