Student Union
Students report feeling anxiety about upcoming election
The U.S. presidential election is causing anxiety among some students, according to a report by Tamara Walker in Asbury Park Press.
Despite the anxiety, students also report feeling hopeful about the election. (July 2024)
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Historically Black colleges see surge in applications
After the Supreme Court’s ruling banning affirmative action in college applications, competitive schools are reporting a decline in first-time minority enrollment.
But the nation’s historically Black colleges and universities are seeing a surge in applications, Liam Knox writes in Inside Higher Ed. (September 2024)
- By VOA News
Fewer men enrolling in college
In the last few years, the number of men enrolled in U.S. colleges and universities has dropped by 6%, and the proportion of male students is at an all-time low of 41%.
Lauren Hamilton of WAMU American University Radio looks at why the shift is happening, and what universities are doing about it. (August 2024)
Nine charged in police breakup of pro-Palestinian camp at US university
Authorities have filed charges against nine people who are accused of trespassing or resisting police during the May breakup of a pro-Palestinian camp at the University of Michigan.
"The First Amendment does not provide a cover for illegal activity," Attorney General Dana Nessel said Thursday, a day after charges were filed in Washtenaw County.
The camp on the Diag, known for decades as a site for campus protests, was cleared by police on May 21 after a month. Video posted online showed police using what appeared to be an irritant to spray people, who were forced to retreat.
The university said the camp had become a threat to safety, with overloaded power sources and open flames.
Nessel said two people were charged with trespassing, a misdemeanor, and seven more people were charged with trespassing as well as resisting police, a felony.
Protesters have demanded that the school's endowment stop investing in companies with ties to Israel. But the university insists it has no direct investments and less than $15 million placed with funds that might include companies in Israel. That's less than 0.1% of the total endowment.
U.S. Representative Rashida Tlaib, a Detroit Democrat who supports the protesters, said the charges were "frivolous" and a "shameful attack" on the rights of students.
Separately, Nessel said state prosecutors charged two people for alleged acts during a counterdemonstration on April 25, a few days after the camp was created.
Nessel said authorities still were investigating spring protests at the homes of elected members of the university's governing board.
- By VOA News
Colleges get ready for return of protests
After a summer lull when most students left campuses, colleges and universities are getting ready for the possible return of protests over the war in Gaza.
USA Today reports that while activists are likely to resume demonstrations, many schools have prepared by enacting harsher rules for those causing disruptions. (August 2024)
US research university ends ties with school in China
Amid national security concerns, the Georgia Institute of Technology has ended its partnership with Tianjin University in Shenzhen, which U.S. lawmakers say has ties to the Chinese military.
The Washington Post reported that an official at Georgia Tech said the Georgia Tech Shenzen Institute became untenable because of a problematic partnership, global politics and pending legislation. (September 2024)