Emma Pettit
@emmajanepettit.bsky.social
Senior reporter @chronicle.com who covers people and politics. Send tips! emma.pettit@chronicle.com; on Signal at emmapettit.31; snail mail to 1255 23rd St NW D.C.
Reposted by Emma Pettit
My colleague @shenandoahkate.bsky.social breaks down what you need to know about fmr UVA president James Ryan's letter to the faculty senate about his resignation www.chronicle.com/article/stun...
‘Stunned and Angry’: James Ryan Gives First Detailed Account of His Ouster at UVa
In an expansive letter, the former University of Virginia president told the story of his resignation, blasting board members and saying the government had pledged to “bleed UVA white.”
www.chronicle.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:51 PM
My colleague @shenandoahkate.bsky.social breaks down what you need to know about fmr UVA president James Ryan's letter to the faculty senate about his resignation www.chronicle.com/article/stun...
Reposted by Emma Pettit
Many Colleges Have Turned Down Trump’s Compact. Now Some Are Willing to Talk. @mzahneis.bsky.social reports: www.chronicle.com/article/many...
Many Colleges Have Turned Down Trump’s Compact. Now Some Are Willing to Talk.
The openness to talking to the White House points to the continued division in the sector about how best to interact with the Trump administration.
www.chronicle.com
October 22, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Many Colleges Have Turned Down Trump’s Compact. Now Some Are Willing to Talk. @mzahneis.bsky.social reports: www.chronicle.com/article/many...
Reposted by Emma Pettit
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-...
Not the best news for higher ed: seven in ten Americans, and majorities of those who lean right and left, say the sector is heading in the wrong direction, according to a new Pew survey.
www.chronicle.com/article/amer...
www.chronicle.com/article/amer...
https://www.chronicle.com/article/americans-faith-in-higher-ed-has-declined-even-further
t.co
October 16, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Not the best news for higher ed: seven in ten Americans, and majorities of those who lean right and left, say the sector is heading in the wrong direction, according to a new Pew survey.
www.chronicle.com/article/amer...
www.chronicle.com/article/amer...
Reposted by Emma Pettit
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.
Reposted by Emma Pettit
This is an incredibly helpful and context-rich breakdown of the "compact" that the Trump administration has sent to nine universities, offering them an edge in federal funding. Written by many of my brilliant colleagues 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 11:08 PM
This is an incredibly helpful and context-rich breakdown of the "compact" that the Trump administration has sent to nine universities, offering them an edge in federal funding. Written by many of my brilliant colleagues www.chronicle.com/article/the-...
Reposted by Emma Pettit
Some Republican lawmakers have threatened to pull funding or enact other consequences if the colleges don't fire employees who criticized Charlie Kirk after his death. Here's a list of who's been fired, suspended, expelled, or disciplined so far.
Employees and Students at These Colleges Have Been Punished for Comments on Charlie Kirk’s Death
Republican politicians have been pressuring institutions to take action against those who criticized the conservative activist after he was shot and killed last week.
www.chronicle.com
September 23, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Some Republican lawmakers have threatened to pull funding or enact other consequences if the colleges don't fire employees who criticized Charlie Kirk after his death. Here's a list of who's been fired, suspended, expelled, or disciplined so far.
The @aaup.org has earned kudos for going toe-to-toe with the Trump administration.
It has also taken heat for, in critics' minds, becoming too partisan.
I interviewed the org's president, @proftwolf.bsky.social, about what he makes of those criticisms. Read here!
www.chronicle.com/article/is-t...
It has also taken heat for, in critics' minds, becoming too partisan.
I interviewed the org's president, @proftwolf.bsky.social, about what he makes of those criticisms. Read here!
www.chronicle.com/article/is-t...
Is the AAUP Too Partisan? Its President Doesn’t Think So.
Todd Wolfson has taken heat for some of the organization’s political stances during his tenure. Here’s what he makes of the criticism.
www.chronicle.com
September 23, 2025 at 2:06 PM
The @aaup.org has earned kudos for going toe-to-toe with the Trump administration.
It has also taken heat for, in critics' minds, becoming too partisan.
I interviewed the org's president, @proftwolf.bsky.social, about what he makes of those criticisms. Read here!
www.chronicle.com/article/is-t...
It has also taken heat for, in critics' minds, becoming too partisan.
I interviewed the org's president, @proftwolf.bsky.social, about what he makes of those criticisms. Read here!
www.chronicle.com/article/is-t...
Reposted by Emma Pettit
Two-thirds of college presidents are “extremely” or “moderately” concerned about the impact of immigration restrictions or visa revocations on higher education, according to a new survey by @aceducation.bsky.social www.chronicle.com/newsletter/l...
A Campus Campaign Seeks to Add a Foreign Language. Yes, Add.
Students at Brown want courses in Tagalog, one of the most commonly spoken languages in the U.S. Also, a push to exempt students from the travel ban.
www.chronicle.com
September 17, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Two-thirds of college presidents are “extremely” or “moderately” concerned about the impact of immigration restrictions or visa revocations on higher education, according to a new survey by @aceducation.bsky.social www.chronicle.com/newsletter/l...
"For free-speech devotees, it’s been a whirlwind week in which arguments in favor of censoring speech considered disturbing and disrespectful — a cause more prominently associated with the left, in recent yrs — were adopted by the right, and thrust into overdrive."
www.chronicle.com/article/with...
www.chronicle.com/article/with...
With Charlie Kirk’s Killing, a New Chapter of the Campus Speech Wars Has Begun
Some campuses have disciplined professors for cheering his death, raising complex legal and institutional questions.
www.chronicle.com
September 18, 2025 at 7:33 PM
"For free-speech devotees, it’s been a whirlwind week in which arguments in favor of censoring speech considered disturbing and disrespectful — a cause more prominently associated with the left, in recent yrs — were adopted by the right, and thrust into overdrive."
www.chronicle.com/article/with...
www.chronicle.com/article/with...
Reposted by Emma Pettit
Facing backlash for employees' social media posts, Clemson University stated that the right to free speech does not extend to rhetoric that "incites harm" or “undermines the dignity of others.”
With Charlie Kirk’s Killing, a New Chapter of the Campus Speech Wars Has Begun
Some campuses have disciplined professors for cheering his death, raising complex legal and institutional questions.
chroni.cl
September 18, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Facing backlash for employees' social media posts, Clemson University stated that the right to free speech does not extend to rhetoric that "incites harm" or “undermines the dignity of others.”
On the most recent episode of College Matters from @chronicle.com, the conservative activist Chris Rufo talks to my colleague @jackstripling.bsky.social about his incredibly successful pressure campaign to eradicate DEI from higher ed, and much more: www.chronicle.com/podcast/coll...
Chris Rufo Floats Calling in ‘Troops’
The conservative activist says President Trump should consider using the military to dismantle college DEI programs.
www.chronicle.com
September 18, 2025 at 4:53 PM
On the most recent episode of College Matters from @chronicle.com, the conservative activist Chris Rufo talks to my colleague @jackstripling.bsky.social about his incredibly successful pressure campaign to eradicate DEI from higher ed, and much more: www.chronicle.com/podcast/coll...
Reposted by Emma Pettit
Quite the story.
A palate cleanser (kind of): I wrote about a student government election that went totally off the rails, at Ohio State University. There were claims of wrongdoing, counterclaims, counter-counterclaims, appeals to authority, to civil rights orgs, and more:
www.chronicle.com/article/camp...
www.chronicle.com/article/camp...
When a Student-Government Election Becomes ‘All-Out War’
Is what happened at Ohio State University a cautionary tale about cutthroat ambition — or frightened administrators?
www.chronicle.com
September 16, 2025 at 8:30 AM
Quite the story.
Reposted by Emma Pettit
I'm on @nature.com's podcast talking to @nickpetrichowe.bsky.social about the role that journalists can play in combating research misconduct. Honored to appear alongside @jamesheathers.bsky.social, @abalkina.bsky.social, @richvn.bsky.social and many others: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
Research misconduct: how the scientific community is fighting back
Hear the biggest stories from the world of science | 08 September 2025
www.nature.com
September 16, 2025 at 12:39 AM
I'm on @nature.com's podcast talking to @nickpetrichowe.bsky.social about the role that journalists can play in combating research misconduct. Honored to appear alongside @jamesheathers.bsky.social, @abalkina.bsky.social, @richvn.bsky.social and many others: www.nature.com/articles/d41...
A palate cleanser (kind of): I wrote about a student government election that went totally off the rails, at Ohio State University. There were claims of wrongdoing, counterclaims, counter-counterclaims, appeals to authority, to civil rights orgs, and more:
www.chronicle.com/article/camp...
www.chronicle.com/article/camp...
When a Student-Government Election Becomes ‘All-Out War’
Is what happened at Ohio State University a cautionary tale about cutthroat ambition — or frightened administrators?
www.chronicle.com
September 16, 2025 at 12:18 AM
A palate cleanser (kind of): I wrote about a student government election that went totally off the rails, at Ohio State University. There were claims of wrongdoing, counterclaims, counter-counterclaims, appeals to authority, to civil rights orgs, and more:
www.chronicle.com/article/camp...
www.chronicle.com/article/camp...
Reposted by Emma Pettit
Details on Charlie Kirk's suspected shooter are emerging, but there's still much unknown about what the Kirk killing will mean for #HigherEd and the nation. @chronicle.com's @jackstripling.bsky.social and @ngluckman.bsky.social have some analysis in a quick-turn episode of our podcast.
The Meaning of Charlie Kirk
Podcast Episode · College Matters from The Chronicle · 09/11/2025 · 27m
podcasts.apple.com
September 12, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Details on Charlie Kirk's suspected shooter are emerging, but there's still much unknown about what the Kirk killing will mean for #HigherEd and the nation. @chronicle.com's @jackstripling.bsky.social and @ngluckman.bsky.social have some analysis in a quick-turn episode of our podcast.
An academic freedom showdown is brewing at Texas A&M.
Per the U, over the summer, an instructor taught content that was irrelevant to her course. She did the same this fall, so she had to go.
But free speech experts say that reasoning smells of pretense.
www.chronicle.com/article/was-...
Per the U, over the summer, an instructor taught content that was irrelevant to her course. She did the same this fall, so she had to go.
But free speech experts say that reasoning smells of pretense.
www.chronicle.com/article/was-...
Was an Instructor’s Firing a Violation of Academic Freedom? Or an Example of ‘Academic Responsibility’?
Texas A&M’s president said he dismissed a senior lecturer because the content of a course didn’t match its summary. Some are skeptical.
www.chronicle.com
September 11, 2025 at 7:39 PM
An academic freedom showdown is brewing at Texas A&M.
Per the U, over the summer, an instructor taught content that was irrelevant to her course. She did the same this fall, so she had to go.
But free speech experts say that reasoning smells of pretense.
www.chronicle.com/article/was-...
Per the U, over the summer, an instructor taught content that was irrelevant to her course. She did the same this fall, so she had to go.
But free speech experts say that reasoning smells of pretense.
www.chronicle.com/article/was-...
A case to watch at Texas A&M:
A student and instructor for a children's lit class got into a back-and-forth over the prof's teaching of "gender identity and transgenderism." The prof eventually booted the student. Clips went viral...
www.chronicle.com/article/a-cl...
A student and instructor for a children's lit class got into a back-and-forth over the prof's teaching of "gender identity and transgenderism." The prof eventually booted the student. Clips went viral...
www.chronicle.com/article/a-cl...
A Classroom Clash Over Course Content Went Viral. Texas A&M Fired the Instructor and Removed 2 Administrators.
The flap was sparked Monday by a Republican state lawmaker, who posted videos that he said show an exchange between an instructor and a student over discussion of gender identity.
www.chronicle.com
September 10, 2025 at 2:43 PM
A case to watch at Texas A&M:
A student and instructor for a children's lit class got into a back-and-forth over the prof's teaching of "gender identity and transgenderism." The prof eventually booted the student. Clips went viral...
www.chronicle.com/article/a-cl...
A student and instructor for a children's lit class got into a back-and-forth over the prof's teaching of "gender identity and transgenderism." The prof eventually booted the student. Clips went viral...
www.chronicle.com/article/a-cl...
Reposted by Emma Pettit
SCOOP: The NIH is moving to prohibit funded scientists, inside and outside the agency, from collecting data about gender, according to a draft policy I obtained. It’s part of the NIH’s aggressive crackdown on gender-identity research. www.chronicle.com/article/gend...
Gender Data Would Be Off-Limits Under Proposed NIH Policy
A draft rule would bar scientists funded by the agency from collecting data about gender identity, following other steps the administration has taken to restrict research on LGBT topics.
www.chronicle.com
August 12, 2025 at 8:29 PM
SCOOP: The NIH is moving to prohibit funded scientists, inside and outside the agency, from collecting data about gender, according to a draft policy I obtained. It’s part of the NIH’s aggressive crackdown on gender-identity research. www.chronicle.com/article/gend...
Reposted by Emma Pettit
A 1991 warning from Harvard's then president predicted the blowback that would happen if "wokeness" or "political correctness" took over higher education. The report looks more prescient than ever. chroni.cl/45u4xBH
Harvard’s President Warned Against Wokeness ... in 1991.
Plus: An update on Northwestern.
chroni.cl
August 12, 2025 at 3:01 PM
A 1991 warning from Harvard's then president predicted the blowback that would happen if "wokeness" or "political correctness" took over higher education. The report looks more prescient than ever. chroni.cl/45u4xBH
There's a rift among higher-ed critics who generally agree the sector is too aligned with the political left.
First, are colleges as captured as Chris Rufo and co. say they are?
Second, should the federal gov't flex its muscle, or is internal reform possible?
www.chronicle.com/article/they...
First, are colleges as captured as Chris Rufo and co. say they are?
Second, should the federal gov't flex its muscle, or is internal reform possible?
www.chronicle.com/article/they...
They Have a Common Criticism of Higher Ed. And They’re Arguing.
The Manhattan Institute and the Heterodox Academy disagree on whether higher ed can reform itself.
www.chronicle.com
August 7, 2025 at 8:02 PM
There's a rift among higher-ed critics who generally agree the sector is too aligned with the political left.
First, are colleges as captured as Chris Rufo and co. say they are?
Second, should the federal gov't flex its muscle, or is internal reform possible?
www.chronicle.com/article/they...
First, are colleges as captured as Chris Rufo and co. say they are?
Second, should the federal gov't flex its muscle, or is internal reform possible?
www.chronicle.com/article/they...
Of Santa Ono's pummeling by Florida's Board of Governors, one former UF administrator tells @jackstripling.bsky.social and @reporterdavidj.bsky.social: “They did a remarkable job, if you like executions.”
Their story on what Ono's denial means for the sector: www.chronicle.com/article/he-w...
Their story on what Ono's denial means for the sector: www.chronicle.com/article/he-w...
Santa Ono Wanted a Presidency. He Became a Pariah.
The former University of Michigan leader’s failed move to Florida has taken on unmistakable political significance for higher education.
www.chronicle.com
June 13, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Of Santa Ono's pummeling by Florida's Board of Governors, one former UF administrator tells @jackstripling.bsky.social and @reporterdavidj.bsky.social: “They did a remarkable job, if you like executions.”
Their story on what Ono's denial means for the sector: www.chronicle.com/article/he-w...
Their story on what Ono's denial means for the sector: www.chronicle.com/article/he-w...
At UC Berkeley, an anonymous survey asked professors if they think higher ed's critics have a point.
More than half of respondents indicated yes, according to results I obtained:
www.chronicle.com/article/at-u...
More than half of respondents indicated yes, according to results I obtained:
www.chronicle.com/article/at-u...
At UC Berkeley, the Faculty Asks Itself, Do Our Critics Have a Point?
Professors’ responses to an internal survey were candid and occasionally brutal.
www.chronicle.com
May 29, 2025 at 3:22 PM
At UC Berkeley, an anonymous survey asked professors if they think higher ed's critics have a point.
More than half of respondents indicated yes, according to results I obtained:
www.chronicle.com/article/at-u...
More than half of respondents indicated yes, according to results I obtained:
www.chronicle.com/article/at-u...
Reposted by Emma Pettit
This is a really thoughtful piece on the substantial budget challenges facing Sonoma State University. Quite a few regional public and private universities are having similar--and difficult--conversations as enrollment has fallen over the last decade.
Sonoma State U. Is Making Big Cuts to Close a Budget Hole. What Will Be Left?
The Cal State campus is slashing academic programs, laying off faculty, and, in an unusual move, scuttling its entire Division II athletics program.
www.chronicle.com
May 13, 2025 at 10:59 AM
This is a really thoughtful piece on the substantial budget challenges facing Sonoma State University. Quite a few regional public and private universities are having similar--and difficult--conversations as enrollment has fallen over the last decade.
Reposted by Emma Pettit
This week on College Matters from The Chronicle: Why this professor wants colleges to nurture and educate conservative students. chroni.cl/3EZZC22
College Matters from The Chronicle
News Podcast · Updated Weekly · Everything happening in the world converges in one place: higher education. Political unrest, the future of AI, the dizzying cost of everything — all of it is playing o...
chroni.cl
May 9, 2025 at 2:23 PM
This week on College Matters from The Chronicle: Why this professor wants colleges to nurture and educate conservative students. chroni.cl/3EZZC22