Francie Diep
@franciediep.bsky.social
Senior reporter, The Chronicle of Higher Education.
I cover money and the chase for prestige, among other topics. Get in touch in one of the ways listed here: https://www.chronicle.com/author/francie-diep or message me on Signal at franciediep.40
I cover money and the chase for prestige, among other topics. Get in touch in one of the ways listed here: https://www.chronicle.com/author/francie-diep or message me on Signal at franciediep.40
Hey, did you know @chronicle.com started a Compact Live Updates page today? www.chronicle.com/article/comp...
That said, @cantb.bsky.social's summary below is pretty good. (Just missing USC, also out.)
That said, @cantb.bsky.social's summary below is pretty good. (Just missing USC, also out.)
October 21, 2025 at 1:03 AM
Hey, did you know @chronicle.com started a Compact Live Updates page today? www.chronicle.com/article/comp...
That said, @cantb.bsky.social's summary below is pretty good. (Just missing USC, also out.)
That said, @cantb.bsky.social's summary below is pretty good. (Just missing USC, also out.)
Aaand more about the meeting today with compact recipients who haven't responded yet + others:
Exclusive: The Trump administration is reaching out to more universities about its funding-advantage proposal after several early invitees rejected it.
Exclusive | Trump Administration Meets With More Colleges About ‘Compact’ After Rejections
The meeting was to gather input from the schools about the proposal, a White House official said
on.wsj.com
October 17, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Aaand more about the meeting today with compact recipients who haven't responded yet + others:
White House officials are meeting this afternoon with representatives from the five remaining original recipients of the higher-ed compact that have not yet responded: www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
Nice scoop by @knottkatherine.bsky.social for Inside Higher Ed.
Nice scoop by @knottkatherine.bsky.social for Inside Higher Ed.
White House to Meet With Universities Regarding Compact
The scheduled meeting follows increasingly forceful pushback to the wide-ranging proposal.
www.insidehighered.com
October 17, 2025 at 6:02 PM
White House officials are meeting this afternoon with representatives from the five remaining original recipients of the higher-ed compact that have not yet responded: www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
Nice scoop by @knottkatherine.bsky.social for Inside Higher Ed.
Nice scoop by @knottkatherine.bsky.social for Inside Higher Ed.
This is an eye-opening Q&A about being a college president today. We all know it's a tough job. Still, I was surprised by depths of some of the challenges these two faced: www.chronicle.com/article/two-...
‘Two People Are in Jail Because of Threats Against Me’
Jonathan Holloway and Ana Mari Cauce on the physical and psychological toll of leading a university in 2025.
www.chronicle.com
October 17, 2025 at 12:24 AM
This is an eye-opening Q&A about being a college president today. We all know it's a tough job. Still, I was surprised by depths of some of the challenges these two faced: www.chronicle.com/article/two-...
In the last two days, Brown, Penn, and USC have joined MIT in declining the Trump administration's compact for higher education. You can see all of @chronicle.com's compact updates here: www.chronicle.com/package/trum...
The Trump Compact
Colleges weigh the government’s latest proposal, which promises an edge in federal funding.
www.chronicle.com
October 16, 2025 at 9:36 PM
In the last two days, Brown, Penn, and USC have joined MIT in declining the Trump administration's compact for higher education. You can see all of @chronicle.com's compact updates here: www.chronicle.com/package/trum...
My latest with @mzahneis.bsky.social: Dartmouth is close to saying "no" to the current compact, I learned. The decision comes as gov. officials are circulating that the compact is open to all, in what higher-ed advocates call a test of the sector's collective will: www.chronicle.com/article/dart...
Dartmouth’s President Balks at Trump Compact, Sources Say, as Feds Expand Offer to ‘Any Institution’
Sian Leah Beilock has told faculty members she won’t sign the document as written. Meanwhile, the White House’s broader proposal has shifted discussion about the deal.
www.chronicle.com
October 15, 2025 at 11:14 AM
My latest with @mzahneis.bsky.social: Dartmouth is close to saying "no" to the current compact, I learned. The decision comes as gov. officials are circulating that the compact is open to all, in what higher-ed advocates call a test of the sector's collective will: www.chronicle.com/article/dart...
Unrelated to breaking news: I appreciate that of my recent stories, I've gotten the most feedback on this one. All the emails are from alumni of various nerd camps. I should say that not all CTY alumni who have messaged me support the test-based admissions criterion, but all loved the experience.
Want something fun (I hope) to read that's not about huge government interventions in higher ed? I wrote about nerd camp! The story has some higher-ed connections, I promise, and it was a pleasure to report: www.chronicle.com/article/what...
What Nerd Camp Can Tell Us About the SAT
No selective college relies on standardized tests alone to admit students, but the Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth does. That makes it an interesting test case.
www.chronicle.com
October 14, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Unrelated to breaking news: I appreciate that of my recent stories, I've gotten the most feedback on this one. All the emails are from alumni of various nerd camps. I should say that not all CTY alumni who have messaged me support the test-based admissions criterion, but all loved the experience.
Breaking: Trump's higher-ed compact is open to all, I confirmed for @chronicle.com: www.chronicle.com/blogs/the-tr...
“We welcome any institution that wants to adopt these principles to sign the compact,” a source told me.
“We welcome any institution that wants to adopt these principles to sign the compact,” a source told me.
Trump Welcomes ‘Any Institution’ to Sign Onto Compact Outlining His Priorities
An administration source told The Chronicle that “any institution that wants to adopt these principles” could sign onto the document, which offers a purported edge in grant funding.
www.chronicle.com
October 14, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Breaking: Trump's higher-ed compact is open to all, I confirmed for @chronicle.com: www.chronicle.com/blogs/the-tr...
“We welcome any institution that wants to adopt these principles to sign the compact,” a source told me.
“We welcome any institution that wants to adopt these principles to sign the compact,” a source told me.
Want something fun (I hope) to read that's not about huge government interventions in higher ed? I wrote about nerd camp! The story has some higher-ed connections, I promise, and it was a pleasure to report: www.chronicle.com/article/what...
What Nerd Camp Can Tell Us About the SAT
No selective college relies on standardized tests alone to admit students, but the Johns Hopkins University’s Center for Talented Youth does. That makes it an interesting test case.
www.chronicle.com
October 8, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Want something fun (I hope) to read that's not about huge government interventions in higher ed? I wrote about nerd camp! The story has some higher-ed connections, I promise, and it was a pleasure to report: www.chronicle.com/article/what...
My colleagues broke down in detail the contents of the "compact" the Trump administration reportedly sent to nine colleges. Hope this helps your discussions: www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
The White House’s New ‘Compact’ Would Offer Universities an Edge in Grant Funding. What’s In It?
We’ve seen what the Trump administration’s stick looks like. Let’s look at its carrot.
www.chronicle.com
October 2, 2025 at 9:24 PM
My colleagues broke down in detail the contents of the "compact" the Trump administration reportedly sent to nine colleges. Hope this helps your discussions: www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
What do teaching, research, and student life look like after a college reaches a deal with the Trump administration? I visited Columbia during the first week of classes to find out: www.chronicle.com/article/life...
Columbia Confronts Life After Its Deal With Trump
The university endured two years of unprecedented upheaval. Will its wide-ranging settlement with the government allow it to turn the page?
www.chronicle.com
September 15, 2025 at 2:19 PM
What do teaching, research, and student life look like after a college reaches a deal with the Trump administration? I visited Columbia during the first week of classes to find out: www.chronicle.com/article/life...
So proud of my colleagues' fast and in-depth work covering the killing of Charlie Kirk, and what it means for higher ed: www.chronicle.com/article/maki...
Charlie Kirk’s Killing Silences a Conservative Voice. His Movement May Grow Louder.
The founder of Turning Point USA was shot at a campus speaking event, injecting urgency and solemnity into a broader debate about political intolerance in higher education.
www.chronicle.com
September 11, 2025 at 7:02 PM
So proud of my colleagues' fast and in-depth work covering the killing of Charlie Kirk, and what it means for higher ed: www.chronicle.com/article/maki...
Fab story by @peterelkind.bsky.social and @katiemangan.bsky.social about Leo Terrell, head of the White House antisemitism task force investigating colleges. Terrell's been sued for malpractice, owes almost $400K taxes, yells at coworkers. And that's just the start: www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
Why the Unlikely Leader of Trump’s Antisemitism Task Force May Be the Perfect Man for the Job
As a Black, Christian, former Democrat with little previous engagement with Jewish causes, Leo Terrell seemed an improbable pick to eradicate antisemitic harassment in higher ed. But his zeal and foot...
www.chronicle.com
August 28, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Fab story by @peterelkind.bsky.social and @katiemangan.bsky.social about Leo Terrell, head of the White House antisemitism task force investigating colleges. Terrell's been sued for malpractice, owes almost $400K taxes, yells at coworkers. And that's just the start: www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
Reposted by Francie Diep
In light of this morning's letter from the White House antisemitism task force to Harvard — which found Harvard "in violent violation of Title VI" — here's @franciediep.bsky.social and @erickelderman.bsky.social on what a deal between the parties might mean for #HigherEd. #AcademicSky
What a Harvard Deal Would Mean for Higher Ed
Some faculty and outside observers fear there are no good deals to be made with the federal government. Others hope for a path forward that safeguards university research and teaching.
www.chronicle.com
June 30, 2025 at 4:25 PM
In light of this morning's letter from the White House antisemitism task force to Harvard — which found Harvard "in violent violation of Title VI" — here's @franciediep.bsky.social and @erickelderman.bsky.social on what a deal between the parties might mean for #HigherEd. #AcademicSky
Bob Morse, who's led the methodology for U.S. News' college rankings for 37 years, is retiring at the end of this month. Here's my exit interview with him: www.chronicle.com/article/u-s-...
‘U.S. News’ Rankings Guru, Soon to Retire, Reflects on the Role He’s Played in Higher Ed
Bob Morse helmed “Best Colleges” for almost 40 years, and has been at <i>U.S. News</i> for almost 50. Higher ed has changed a lot in his time.
www.chronicle.com
June 23, 2025 at 10:41 AM
Bob Morse, who's led the methodology for U.S. News' college rankings for 37 years, is retiring at the end of this month. Here's my exit interview with him: www.chronicle.com/article/u-s-...
I'm sure it's just convergent evolution. But also ours is better-looking.
On the left: The Harvard seal, pierced by darts, as photographed by me for @chronicle.com, published January 14, 2024. On the right, a Harvard shield, pierced by darts, illustrated by Lisa Sheehan, published on May, 23, 205 by @nytimes.com. Draw your own conclusions. #design #journalism #photography
June 11, 2025 at 6:18 PM
I'm sure it's just convergent evolution. But also ours is better-looking.
Reposted by Francie Diep
Scoop from @franciediep.bsky.social: In Public, Harvard Is Fighting Trump. Quietly, It’s Dismantling a Program the White House Doesn’t Like. www.chronicle.com/article/in-p...
www.chronicle.com
June 9, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Scoop from @franciediep.bsky.social: In Public, Harvard Is Fighting Trump. Quietly, It’s Dismantling a Program the White House Doesn’t Like. www.chronicle.com/article/in-p...
Does it feel like private-equity guys are suddenly everywhere talking about higher ed? Perhaps because they are: A paper out earlier this year found a big rise in the percentage of top-ranked university trustees who are private-equity and hedge-fund managers: www.chronicle.com/article/priv...
Private-Equity Wealth Is Growing on the Most Prestigious University Boards, Study Finds
“That’s become a political vulnerability,” one researcher said.
www.chronicle.com
June 2, 2025 at 7:28 PM
Does it feel like private-equity guys are suddenly everywhere talking about higher ed? Perhaps because they are: A paper out earlier this year found a big rise in the percentage of top-ranked university trustees who are private-equity and hedge-fund managers: www.chronicle.com/article/priv...
Bob Morse is retiring! www.usnews.com/education/bl...
Here's my take on Morse's place in higher ed, from 2022: www.chronicle.com/article/wher...
More to come soon, I hope!
Here's my take on Morse's place in higher ed, from 2022: www.chronicle.com/article/wher...
More to come soon, I hope!
www.usnews.com
May 21, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Bob Morse is retiring! www.usnews.com/education/bl...
Here's my take on Morse's place in higher ed, from 2022: www.chronicle.com/article/wher...
More to come soon, I hope!
Here's my take on Morse's place in higher ed, from 2022: www.chronicle.com/article/wher...
More to come soon, I hope!
Reposted by Francie Diep
Information is a product and you get what you pay for
The news media is crowded with people who aren’t here to newsgather. They make no research or investigative contributions; just personalities whose job is comparable to pumping out youtube reaction videos. They’re entertainers, not journalists, and they’re paid 5x what decent reporters pull in.
The political media is obsessively relitigating the issue of Biden being too old and out of touch while the current president babbles incoherently at press conferences and regularly admits he's not the one making decisions on key policy matters.
May 16, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Information is a product and you get what you pay for
I noticed a new trend: The Trump administration has been highlighting less prestigious colleges in its higher-ed reform efforts. One thing that points to is that officials seem to be choosing where to focus based on viral news.
www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
The Trump Administration Widens Its Scrutiny of Colleges, With Help From the Internet
After months of headlines about elite colleges, the Trump administration is announcing investigations of less-prominent ones, sometimes seemingly in reaction to viral news.
www.chronicle.com
May 16, 2025 at 11:16 AM
I noticed a new trend: The Trump administration has been highlighting less prestigious colleges in its higher-ed reform efforts. One thing that points to is that officials seem to be choosing where to focus based on viral news.
www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
What really happened behind the scenes in fall 2023, as Liz Magill, Penn's president, faced calls from big donors to resign? A new book, from the chair of Penn's board at the time, offers an inside look: www.chronicle.com/article/how-...
Very interesting to see how some big donors operate.
Very interesting to see how some big donors operate.
How Things Fell Apart at the U. of Pennsylvania After the Antisemitism Hearing
A new book by the former chair of Penn’s Board of Trustees offers an inside look at the drama and big-donor influence that led to his resignation and that of the university’s president.
www.chronicle.com
May 1, 2025 at 2:36 PM
What really happened behind the scenes in fall 2023, as Liz Magill, Penn's president, faced calls from big donors to resign? A new book, from the chair of Penn's board at the time, offers an inside look: www.chronicle.com/article/how-...
Very interesting to see how some big donors operate.
Very interesting to see how some big donors operate.
Two years after conservatives took over the New College of Florida, what does campus life look like? Emma Pettit's story is thorough, thought-provoking (How might this translate to other colleges should the administration succeed in its crusade?), and an easy read: www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
The College That Conservatives Took Over
The overhaul of New College of Florida stoked fear on the left and excitement on the right. Two years in, what’s really changed?
www.chronicle.com
April 16, 2025 at 10:48 AM
Two years after conservatives took over the New College of Florida, what does campus life look like? Emma Pettit's story is thorough, thought-provoking (How might this translate to other colleges should the administration succeed in its crusade?), and an easy read: www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
More details: This is for a report I'm working on about college reputation-building. I'm not looking for moral reasons to keep to a local mission. I'm seeking someone who would argue it can be good for a college's rep and finances.
Reporting request: Do you know of someone who advocates for and counsels colleges to double down on a local, teaching, open-access, student-success-oriented mission — rather than chasing traditional markers of prestige, like rankings? Bonus if you know they're good at writing!
March 11, 2025 at 4:22 PM
More details: This is for a report I'm working on about college reputation-building. I'm not looking for moral reasons to keep to a local mission. I'm seeking someone who would argue it can be good for a college's rep and finances.
Reporting request: Do you know of someone who advocates for and counsels colleges to double down on a local, teaching, open-access, student-success-oriented mission — rather than chasing traditional markers of prestige, like rankings? Bonus if you know they're good at writing!
March 11, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Reporting request: Do you know of someone who advocates for and counsels colleges to double down on a local, teaching, open-access, student-success-oriented mission — rather than chasing traditional markers of prestige, like rankings? Bonus if you know they're good at writing!