HEADLINES: Top Higher Education News for the Week

April 21, 2026

The Justice Department has delayed the deadline by a year for complying with new federal accessibility standards under the Americans With Disabilities Act, reports The Chronicle of Higher Education. . .Inside Higher Ed looks at the potential impact to higher education institutions of the cuts imposed by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on state health care and nutrition programs. . .Community colleges are working to fill a critical shortage by training Los Angeles construction workers, writes the Los Angeles Times. . .

Colleges Were Sweating a Major Compliance Deadline. Now the Justice Dept. Has Delayed It.
The Chronicle of Higher Education (sub. req.) |  April 20, 2026 

States Grapple With Effects of OBBBA Cuts on Higher Ed
Inside Higher Ed | April 21, 2026 

Community Colleges Racing to Train L.A. Construction Workers
Los Angeles Times | April 20, 2026

April 20, 2026

Inside Higher Ed reports on the status of the accreditation negotiated rulemaking session while The Chronicle of Higher Education explores the Department of Education's focus on accreditation for specialized academic programs. . .The Hill and University Business explore the impact of proposed and already imposed cuts on research funding. . .

After Week of Negotiations, ED’s Accreditation Proposals Remain Intact
Inside Higher Ed  April 20, 2026 

The Lesser-Known Way That Trump’s Accreditation Overhaul Could Change College Programs
The Chronicle of Higher Education (sub. req.) | April 17, 2026 

National Science Foundation’s Future in Limbo as Trump Eyes Cuts
The Hill | April 19, 2026

Research Cuts Are Now Having a Chilling Effect on Academia
University Business | April 17, 2026 

April 17, 2026

Higher Ed Dive reports on a study by the Council for Advancement and Support of Education finding that gifts to U.S. colleges and universities rose by 4% year-over-year, while Fortune writes about philanthropist MacKenzie Scott's contributions to HBCUs and community colleges. . .Inside Higher Ed looks in separate stories at how civil rights law is being used to target antisemitism on campuses and, in a story reported by Times Higher Education, at how virtual fellowships are a lifeline for Gazan academics . . .

Donations to Colleges Hold Steady Amid Higher Ed Disruption
Higher Ed Dive | April 14, 2026 

MacKenzie Scott is Bypassing the Ivy League and Rewriting the $79 Billion Higher Ed Playbook by Giving to HBCUs and Community Colleges
Forbes (sub. req.) | April 16, 2026 

A ‘Legal Movement’ Against Campus Antisemitism
Inside Higher Edv | April 17, 2026

Virtual Fellowships a ‘Lifeline’ for Gazan Academics
Inside Higher Ed | April 17, 2026 

April 16, 2026

An Inside Higher Ed analysis finds that fewer college and university leaders have a seat at the accreditation negotiating table compared to a similar rule-making effort in 2019. . .Yale University is weighing changes to admissions and grading policies to help raise public trust in higher education, after releasing a report on the topic, writes The Washington Post. . .University of Georgia System Chancellor Sonny Perdue has announced he will retire. . .

In Accreditation Talks, Colleges and Accreditors Have Fewer Votes
Inside Higher Ed | April 16, 2026 

Yale Considers Changes to Admissions, Grading to Regain Trust in Higher Ed
The Washington Post | April 15, 2026 

Sonny Perdue to Retire From Georgia's University System
Savannah Morning News | April 16, 2026

April 15, 2026

After fierce advocacy efforts from college leaders and students, Maine is permanently funding the state's free college program, writes Inside Higher Ed . . .Kent Syverud, Syracuse University chancellor and University of Michigan president-elect, is stepping down after his cancer diagnosis, reports The Detroit News. . .Higher Ed Dive looks at how two institutions are using AI to support nontraditional learners. . .

After Uncertainty, Maine’s Free College Program Is Here to Stay
Inside Higher Ed | April 15, 2026

University of Michigan President-Elect Diagnosed With Cancer, Steps Down
The Detroit News | April 15, 2026

‘There Is No Silver Bullet’: How 2 Colleges Use AI to Support Nontraditional Learners
Higher Ed Dive | April 15, 2026


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