Headlines in Higher Ed: Week of September 8th, 2025
Harvard wins suit, free speech battle in Texas, and limited course availability causing problems
Court Rules in Favor of Harvard
A federal judge ruled this week that the Trump administration acted unlawfully when it froze more than $2 billion in research funding to Harvard University. The freeze was imposed earlier this year, after accusing the university of failing to respond adequately to antisemitism on campus. In her ruling, U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs stated that the federal government violated Harvard’s First Amendment rights, emphasizing that efforts to combat antisemitism must not come at the expense of constitutional freedoms.
U.S. District Judge Allison Burroughs
The funding freeze followed Harvard’s refusal to adopt a list of demands from the federal government that would have reshaped admissions, faculty hiring, and university governance. Harvard filed a lawsuit in April, arguing that the administration’s actions were politically motivated and lacked legal justification. In her 84-page opinion, Judge Burroughs acknowledged that Harvard had been slow to address antisemitism but concluded that the government’s response was disproportionate and infringed on academic freedom. The decision was widely praised by civil rights and free speech organizations, though Education Secretary Linda McMahon stated that the administration will appeal the ruling to “ensure that new taxpayer funding is not invested at any university that steadfastly refuses to uphold civil rights for all students.”
Rapid Recap
😿 Northwestern President Resigns Michael Schill announced his departure, serving only 3 tumultuous years in the role, through campus protests and an ongoing federal funding freeze.
🗺️ College Board Pulls Geographic Tool The “Landscape” tool, which gave colleges context about an applicant’s neighborhood and school demographics, post-affirmative action, has been shut down due to political pressures.
🍼 Cuts to Childcare Program Leave Student Parents Vulnerable Many college students who are also parents struggle with financial hardship, which puts their education at risk - now a key federal program meant to support them is being reduced.
🔇 University of Texas System Sued for Free Speech Curfew Students at the University of Texas at Dallas are suing the UT System over a new state law that bans most forms of expression on campus between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. Go on…
University of Texas System Sued for Free Speech Curfew
The lawsuit, filed by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), challenges a state senate bill which went into effect last week, arguing it violates First Amendment rights. The vague limitation on “expressive activities” could apply to late-night study groups and even restrict some types of clothing worn after hours, according to the lawsuit. Under the U.S. Constitution, students are legally entitled to exercise their rights on campus, but supporters of the law, including its author, State Sen. Brandon Creighton, say it’s a response to disruptive protests on campuses in recent years, particularly those related to the war in Gaza.
Limited Course Availability Hindering College Students
Across the country, many college students are struggling to get into the courses they need to graduate, especially foundational major classes. Studies show that colleges only offer required courses at the right time about 15% of the time, which often forces students to change majors, spend extra time and money, or even drop out. This issue is becoming worse as colleges face record enrollments, budget cuts, staff layoffs, and outdated scheduling systems. The problem is particularly severe in community colleges and in demanding fields like science and engineering. Experts say the issue is not just about money, but how universities plan course schedules. Some colleges have taken notice, adopting solutions like synchronizing class times across campuses and using data to better predict demand, but the general reluctance to address issues will continue eroding accessibility.
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