Afternoon Update: Gordon Gee’s last stand at West Virginia U.

New updates of our DEI legislation tracker; U. of Florida eliminates DEI offices and staff; Arizona regents’ chair steps down amid uproar; 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](. MAKEOVER MAN [Gordon Gee’s Last Stand]( By Emma Pettit [STORY IMAGE]( Cuts he’s made at West Virginia University are a sign of public higher education’s future. Will we recognize it? ADVERTISEMENT JUST UPDATED [DEI Legislation Tracker]( By Chronicle Staff [STORY IMAGE]( We’ve updated the tracker with bills from Alabama, Georgia, Indiana, Missouri, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Wyoming that seek to dismantle colleges’ diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. ATTACK ON DEI [U. of Florida Eliminates Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Offices and Fires Staffs]( According to a [memo]( issued today, the flagship university also eliminated the office of the chief diversity officer and ended DEI contracts with outside vendors. More than two dozen employees were affected. The memo said the [changes stemmed]( from an [anti-DEI law]( that [Florida enacted]( last year. (The Independent Florida Alligator, The Chronicle) STUDENT LOANS [Major Student-Loan Servicer Is Accused of ‘Deflecting’ Calls and Mismanagement]( The Missouri Higher Education Loan Authority, which the [Education Department penalized]( last fall, mismanaged a loan program for public-service workers and used a “call-deflection scheme” to avoid helping borrowers, says a [new report]( by the American Federation of Teachers and the Student Borrower Protection Center. The servicer denied the claims. (USA Today, The Washington Post) GOVERNANCE [Arizona Regents’ Chair Steps Down and Director Takes Leave Amid Uproar Over Finances]( The officials said they would depart in the wake of the [latest attack]( on the [board’s oversight]( by Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, who blamed it in part for the University of Arizona’s [sudden $177-million budget deficit]( and [resulting cuts](. Fred DuVal, the board chair, said on Thursday he would leave immediately, as did John Arnold, the executive director. (Arizona Daily Star, The Chronicle) FACULTY HIRING [New College of Florida Hires Professor Who Argued in Favor of Colonialism]( Bruce Gilley, a political scientist at Portland State University, will be a scholar in residence at the Florida college, the [scene]( last year of a [conservative]( takeover [engineered]( by Gov. Ron DeSantis. Gilley [asked a journal]( to withdraw his 2017 paper “The Case for Colonialism” after it drew a [storm of criticism]( including a mass resignation on the journal’s board. (Sarasota Herald-Tribune, The Chronicle) CLOSING TIME [Notre Dame College, in Ohio, Will Close at End of Spring Semester]( The debt-burdened college recently looked into other options to remain open, including [building a partnership]( with Cleveland State University. Notre Dame has signed teach-out agreements with nine local colleges so its students can complete their studies. (Signal Cleveland/Open Campus) CYBERSECURITY [Willamette U., in Oregon, Is Recovering From Major Cyberattack]( The attack last week shut down the university’s website, Wi-Fi network, and phone system. A week later, many systems have been restored. The episode was [one of many]( against higher-ed institutions by hackers who typically seek a ransom. (Salem Reporter, The Chronicle) CAMPUS SAFETY [Self-Described ‘Incel’ Gets Prison for Plot to Kill Women at Ohio State U.]( Tres Genco, 24, pleaded guilty in 2022 to a single count of attempted hate crime, and on Thursday was sentenced to six years in prison for his plan to carry out a mass shooting at the university that would target women. Prosecutors said he identified himself as an “incel,” or involuntary celibate, a largely online group angry about women. (Cincinnati Enquirer) 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 SUCCESS [Sharpening the Social-Mobility Mission]( [STORY IMAGE]( UPCOMING: March 12, 2024 | 2 p.m. ET. College is often seen as a chance at economic opportunity. But does that hold true? Join us to explore the connection between college degrees and social mobility. With Support From Ascendium. [Register here.]( STUDENT SUCCESS [Building Successful Graduate Programs]( [STORY IMAGE]( UPCOMING: March 13, 2024 | 2 p.m. ET. Join experts to explore updated strategies that universities can use in their graduate programs. With Support From Evidence In Motion. [Register here.]( INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAMS [Innovative Interdisciplinary Programs]( [STORY IMAGE]( UPCOMING: March 20, 2024 | 2 p.m. ET. Join experts to learn how the programs have expanded to research how communities face earthquakes, tsunamis, and other natural disasters. With Support From Southern Methodist University. [Register here.]( ADVERTISEMENT FROM THE CHRONICLE STORE [The Future of Campus Safety - The Chronicle Store]( [The Future of Campus Safety]( Colleges can’t foresee and avoid every possible safety concern. Yet students, parents, and others are demanding that colleges do more to keep campuses safe. [Order this report]( to explore strategies colleges are employing to counter threats to their communities’ well-being. 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](. [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