The University of Southern California identifies a coordinated surge in anti-DEI legislation across six states —vIowa, Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Indiana — between August 2024 and July 2025. These states led the nation in introducing and, in some cases, passing laws aimed at restricting or eliminating diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in higher education. The report details legislative tactics such as dissolving DEI offices, banning mandatory diversity training, and prohibiting identity-based preferences in hiring and admissions. The authors note that while federal efforts exist, state-led legislative action has been the primary driver of the anti-DEI movement since 2020.

The University of Virginia and Dartmouth College have both rejected the Trump administration's Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education, joining a group of six out of nine initially targeted institutions in turning down the offer. The universities emphasized the importance of institutional autonomy and maintaining merit-based standards, with UVA interim president Paul Mahoney stating that government involvement through such a compact is not appropriate for guiding academic missions. Their decisions followed campus rallies and widespread faculty opposition, underlining a broader resistance among higher education institutions to federal policy directives perceived as intruding on academic governance.

Make sure your body language agrees with your words, writes Andy Harrington, the founder of The Professional Speakers Academy, who offers examples of when your body language contradicts your message, such as crossing your arms when asking for feedback. "When your physical cues align with the values you espouse, belief takes root," Harrington writes.

Indiana has introduced a professional pathway credential that allows high school students to transfer up to 30 dual credits to faith-based private colleges, similar to the Indiana College Core program that will enable students to transfer credits to public universities. The initiative aims to address the state's declining college enrollment rate by making higher education more accessible and affordable.

Harvard University has reported a $113 million operating deficit for fiscal 2025, driven by expenses rising nearly twice as fast as revenue. The deficit is also attributed to the Trump administration's suspension of research funding and increased regulatory costs. Harvard's endowment saw an 11.9% return, raising its value to $56.9 billion, but a new endowment tax could significantly impact future distributions. Donations increased by nearly 20% amid these challenges.

The Purdue Exponent has delivered a special "solidarity edition" to Indiana University Bloomington after IU administrators fired the Indiana Daily Student's adviser and halted the paper's print edition amid a dispute over content. The edition features columns from both papers criticizing IU's actions and highlighting threats to student press freedom. The Exponent's initiative underscores the challenges student newspapers face regarding university intervention.

The midnight "workout" by two black bears was captured on video as they ransacked a fitness center in downtown Aspen, Colo. For two hours, the bears helped themselves to protein shakes, supplements and coffee. While many bears stick to eating salmon in preparation for their winter hibernation, bears will seek out any food.