Afternoon Update: Is college a mind-expanding resource or a "capitalist hellscape"? What survey respondents told us.

One professor's rock ’n’ roll sabbatical; choreographing a leadership change; lucrative paper mills bribe journals to publish fake studies; 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](. WHAT HIGHER ED MEANS TO ME [Mind-Expanding or a ‘Capitalist Hellscape’? How Our Survey Respondents View College.]( By Amita Chatterjee, Charlotte Matherly, and Calli McMurray [STORY IMAGE]( People talk to us about their personal experiences with higher ed. ADVERTISEMENT SPECIAL REPORT [The Public-Perception Puzzle]( [STORY IMAGE]( A series by The Chronicle to examine higher ed’s public-perception problem — and the solutions to it. THE REVIEW | ESSAY [My Rock ’n’ Roll Sabbatical]( By Florence Dore [STORY IMAGE]( A literature professor hits the road. ADVICE [How to Choreograph a Leadership Transition]( By Lisa Jasinski [STORY IMAGE]( In an era of administrative turnover, a well-designed handoff is at least as important as the search plan. JUST UPDATED [DEI Legislation Tracker]( By Chronicle Staff [STORY IMAGE]( We’ve added bills in Nebraska, Utah, and West Virginia that seek to dismantle colleges’ diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. We’ve also added a new tool to let you embed our map on your site. THE PAPER CHASE [Firms That Churn Out Fake Scientific Papers Now Bribe Journal Editors to Publish Them]( An investigation by [Science]( and [Retraction Watch]( in partnership with industry experts, has identified several paper mills and more than 30 editors of reputable journals who appear to be involved in this lucrative activity. Many were guest editors of special issues, which are particularly vulnerable to abuse because they are edited separately. LOAN FORGIVENESS [Biden Cancels Another $5 Billion in Student-Loan Debt]( The [discharges]( of federal student-loan debt, which will benefit nearly 74,000 borrowers, most of them teachers, nurses, firefighters, and other public-service workers, are the result of fixes of problems in existing loan-forgiveness programs. (The New York Times, Education Department) CAMPUS CUTS [Eastern Gateway Community College, in Ohio, Cuts 28 Staff Positions]( The college, which drew attention from its [accreditor]( and the [U.S. Education Department]( over a [controversial free-college program]( for union members, said it needed to “right size” its staff to reflect a decline in enrollment of some 6,000 students in just one year. (WFMJ, The Chronicle) REACHING OUT [After Name-Change Fight, Cabrillo College Makes Native American and Indigenous Efforts]( The board of the public two-year college in California voted last year to [shelve the rethinking]( of its name until at least 2028, after an [angry, ugly response]( from critics. Now it is focusing on educational and support initiatives for Indigenous students and Native American studies. The college is named for a Spanish explorer blamed for oppressing Indigenous people. (Lookout Santa Cruz) 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 INTERNATIONAL TRENDS [Raising Your International Profile]( [STORY IMAGE]( UPCOMING: January 25, 2024 | 2 p.m. ET. How should smaller or niche campuses such as women’s colleges and arts institutes draw overseas students, who often focus on prestige and rankings? Join us. With Support From Keystone Education Group. [Register here.]( CYBERSECURITY AND HIGHER ED [The Hidden Cyber Vulnerabilities on Campus]( [STORY IMAGE]( UPCOMING: January 29, 2024 | 2 p.m. ET. Colleges face new cybersecurity threats beyond phishing scams and ransomware attacks. Join us for a free forum on how to protect your campus from hidden vulnerabilities. With Support From HP. [Register here.]( REGIONAL PUBLIC LEADERSHIP [Leading a Regional Public University Today]( [STORY IMAGE]( UPCOMING: January 30, 2024 | 2 p.m. ET: Leaders of regional public universities can prepare for the sector’s uncertain future at this forum, where experts will share their thoughts on what’s ahead. With Support From Academic Partnerships. [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. JOB OPPORTUNITIES [Search jobs on The Chronicle job board]( [Find Your Next Role Today]( Whether you are actively or passively searching for your next career opportunity, The Chronicle is here to support you throughout your job search. Get started now by [exploring 30,000+ openings]( or [signing up for job alerts](. 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](. 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