Afternoon Update: Why Americans love to hate Harvard (opinion)

Diversity statements as political litmus tests; supporting students of color's mental health; embracing motivation in class; the new term; 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](. THE REVIEW | ESSAY [Why Americans Love to Hate Harvard]( By Derek Bok [STORY IMAGE]( A former president of the university explains how we got here. ADVERTISEMENT THE REVIEW | OPINION [We Know Diversity Statements Are Political Litmus Tests]( By Komi Frey [STORY IMAGE]( It’s time to end this discriminatory practice. Q&A [How Colleges Can Support the Mental Health of Students of Color]( By Kate Hidalgo Bellows [STORY IMAGE]( A Q&A with Carlota Ocampo, provost and vice president for academic affairs at Trinity Washington University and a board member of the Steve Fund. TEACHING [Get Ready for the New Term]( By Beckie Supiano [STORY IMAGE]( Three questions we’re pondering in the new year. Plus: course-planning resources for you. ADVICE [How to Embrace the Power of Extrinsic Motivation in Class]( By James M. Lang and Kristi Rudenga [STORY IMAGE]( Grades and deadlines don’t have to be the bad guys of college teaching. ADMISSIONS [West Point Can Continue to Consider Race in Admissions, U.S. Judge Says]( The judge denied a petition for a preliminary injunction against the U.S. Military Academy’s [use of race-conscious admissions](. A judge in a similar lawsuit against the U.S. Naval Academy has [also denied such a petition](. Last June the U.S. Supreme Court [exempted the service academies]( from rulings that [struck down such policies]( nationwide. (The Washington Post, The Chronicle, Reuters) FACILITIES [Berkeley Makes Dead-of-Night Push to Wall Off Storied People’s Park]( The University of California campus’s winter-break move, with help from hundreds of police officers, followed months of frustrated efforts to clear the historic park, the site of many past protests, for the start of dormitory construction, much needed [in the city]( and [across the state](. The project has been delayed by lawsuits in the courts and protesters in the park. (Los Angeles Times, The Chronicle) STUDENT VOTERS [Bill Would Require U. of Wisconsin to Tell Out-of-State Students How to Vote at Home]( The measure’s Republican backers say it would give nonresident students more information about using absentee ballots. But critics say it’s an attempt to stifle likely Democratic voters in a swing state that [led the nation in youth turnout]( in the 2022 elections. (Wisconsin Public Radio) COLLECTIONS [Museum World Hit by Cyberattack on Widely Used Software]( The hackers targeted Gallery Systems software that many museums, including some on campuses, use to show their collections online and to manage sensitive data. The software can include the names of donors, loan agreements, provenance records, and storage locations. (The New York Times) FINANCES [Iowa Supreme Court Rules Against Universities in 13-Year-Old Insurance Dispute]( The court ordered Iowa State University and the Universities of Iowa and of Northern Iowa to pay a total of more than $6 million to the Iowa Individual Health Benefit Reinsurance Association, which they had accused of charging them unauthorized assessments. (Des Moines Register) 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 LEADERSHIP AND AI [Loughborough U. Vice Chancellor Speaks on AI]( [STORY IMAGE]( UPCOMING: January 23, 2024 | 2 p.m. ET. With AI on the rise, how can universities harness its advantages and navigate its drawbacks? Join us to discuss how AI is used in teaching and learning. With Support From Loughborough University. [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. © 2024 [The Chronicle of Higher Education]( 1255 23rd Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037