The University of Wyoming is scrambling to address a major funding cut state legislators passed in a footnote to the state budget.
During this year's session, Wyoming lawmakers banned appropriation dollars from funding the University of Wyoming office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. The office has fostered inclusivity in race, sex, national origins and gender identity since its founding in 2017, providing resources for language assistance, Americans with disabilities, religious accommodations and more.
The University of Wyoming is not alone in facing such cuts. Since 2021, more than 150 bills have been brought to state legislatures aimed at academic freedom and university governance, according to a new paper from the American Association of University Professors.
Isaac Kamola, associate professor of political science at Trinity College and director of the association's Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom, said academic freedom is vital for higher education to serve the public interest.
"The teaching and research that takes place within those institutions has to be free from external pressures," Kamola argued. "To ensure that what takes place in the classroom and in research, pursues truth wherever it leads, not where those with political and economic power wishes that it leads."
Opponents of DEI initiatives said they lead to fear and resentment but Kamola noted the office closures are among several trending threats to higher education, including banning critical race theory, weakening tenure or accreditation and mandating content.
A working group provided suggestions to the University of Wyoming on how to proceed including continuing DEI funding through private support, under a changed name or reorganizing under a different university office. Kamola observed when Texas universities took a similar approach, they were told they were in violation and a round of layoffs followed.
"We can imagine that something similar might happen, where the political operatives that are behind these attacks on DEI will want to see blood in the water," Kamola stressed.
The working group's report asserted the DEI office grounded its work in the Wyoming Constitution.
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Leaders of the University of California and California State University systems are warning a proposed budget cut of almost 8% for next year could lead to larger class sizes, fewer course offerings and staff reductions unless it is reversed.
Gov. Gavin Newsom's January budget proposal would technically defer the funding for two years.
Josh Hagen, vice president of policy and advocacy for the Sacramento-based Campaign for College Opportunity, noted schools are prepared for the proposed reduction.
"In last year's budget, the governor and legislature said, 'You need to be prepared for an 8% systemwide cut.' This budget affirmed that systemwide cut is coming," Hagen acknowledged. "The silver lining is that it's a one-time cut; it is not ongoing but that's still going to be felt."
The governor proposes to invest more than $45 billion in higher education as a whole, slightly less than last year. Community colleges will get a cost-of-living increase of just over $230 million, as a result of Proposition 98. The Legislature has until June to pass a balanced budget.
Hagen is convinced the California economy is slowly moving in the right direction.
"We're turning the corner. We're not fully around it yet," Hagen stressed. "It's about making sure colleges and universities are able to maintain program services for students as we're looking towards a multiyear economic recovery."
Hagen noted the budget proposal includes $5 million to create a coordinating council so the University of California, California State University and community college systems can better react to events like a natural disaster or financial downturn in the future.
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In the new year, college applications in Minnesota will look a little different: They will no longer feature an initial question about a person's criminal history, a move supporters said creates better futures for those seeking higher education.
A new state law just took effect, prohibiting Minnesota's public and private colleges and universities from asking about applicants' criminal past on the initial forms they fill out, except for programs such as law enforcement.
Sen. Clare Oumou Verbeten, DFL-St. Paul, sponsored the bill and she said by boosting access to higher education, they are giving applicants an outlet to reconcile with their past and chart a new course.
"It's about giving people an opportunity to explain their stories and their situations and not putting them in a position where they don't even want to try," Verbeten explained. "That's really the hardest thing about when there is that box is a lot of people just give up."
The change is a recommendation from the federal Beyond the Box report of 2023. Research shows nearly two-thirds of those who disclosed felony convictions did not submit their application. Amid efforts across the U.S., some schools still express concern about public safety. Verbeten argued Minnesota's law strikes a good balance and gives schools the opportunity to follow up before a student is enrolled.
Will Cooley, policy director for the Minnesota Justice Research Center, testified in favor of the plan. He said generally speaking, similar moves have enjoyed bipartisan support, including in conservative states like Louisiana.
"I have worked on Ban the Box campaigns in the past," Cooley recounted. "One thing that really struck me was the broad swath of supporters, religious congregations, chambers of commerce, formerly incarcerated people, the list goes on."
The federal report cited findings showing no significant difference between the campus crime rates of schools emphasizing looking into applicants' criminal background and institutions which did not. The authors also noted educational achievement reduces recidivism by 48%, easing pressure on state and federal budgets when factoring incarceration costs.
Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.
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Connecticut is launching its Student Loan Reimbursement Program Jan. 1.
The program was created through legislation passed by the state's General Assembly earlier this year. With $6 million in funding, it will reduce state borrowers more than $18 billion in student loan debt. Aside from being a Connecticut resident for five consecutive years, they need to have performed 50 hours of volunteer work at an approved organization in 2024.
Michael Criscuolo, associate administrative fiscal officer for the Connecticut Office of Higher Education, mentioned some of the other eligibility requirements.
"They must have an outstanding student loan balance," Criscuolo outlined. "And during 2024, have paid towards a Federal Direct loan, a Direct Plus loan, a Perkins loan, a state-sponsored student loan or even a private loan."
The reimbursement is based on how much a person paid toward their loan this year. If they paid $100 a month, they could receive $1,200 of debt relief. Some could receive up to $5,000 dollars a year with a $20,000 cap over four years. The program is first come, first served.
Criscuolo pointed out response to the program has been overwhelmingly positive. He noted there are many frequently asked questions regarding eligibility or whether an organization counts for the volunteer requirement but he added people are looking forward to the launch.
"People think that it's a great program," Criscuolo observed. "We're anticipating hundreds of thousands of applications. It's capped at $6 million, and we're anticipating that we can pay between 1,200 and 3,000 students."
The totals will depend on how much money people have paid toward their loans. He emphasized any time people can alleviate debt from student loans is helpful. Under President Joe Biden's student loan debt forgiveness, more than 7,200 Connecticut borrowers had more than $309 million forgiven.
Support for this reporting was provided by Lumina Foundation.
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