Timothy R Cain
@timcain.bsky.social
I teach about and study faculty, academic freedom, campus unions, student activism, and the history of higher education. I don't post about my amazing kid because it is their story to tell some day.
Grammar is difficult. I used to think of primary as an adjective or a noun. I haven't checked CMOS on this, but I now think that primary is a verb.
November 10, 2025 at 5:09 AM
Grammar is difficult. I used to think of primary as an adjective or a noun. I haven't checked CMOS on this, but I now think that primary is a verb.
Just to be clear, I am not that Tim Kaine.
November 10, 2025 at 4:45 AM
Just to be clear, I am not that Tim Kaine.
Reposted by Timothy R Cain
#HES2025 may be ending, but our virtual exhibit is still open! Browse our virtual exhibit and get 30% off & free domestic shipping using code EX58172: bit.ly/UCPEXHEdS
November 9, 2025 at 3:01 PM
#HES2025 may be ending, but our virtual exhibit is still open! Browse our virtual exhibit and get 30% off & free domestic shipping using code EX58172: bit.ly/UCPEXHEdS
Reposted by Timothy R Cain
Shock doctrine tactics supported by schlock data make a mockery of shared governance. UNL AAUP are fighting hard. Time for faculty at every university going through "program review" to stand with their colleagues and students being targeted. @aaup #highered
www.chronicle.com/article/a-un...
www.chronicle.com/article/a-un...
U. of Nebraska’s Attempt to Measure Academic Programs’ Productivity Draws Faculty Ire
Administrators at the Lincoln campus say insufficient state aid and a decline in enrollment resulted in a $27.5-million budget deficit.
www.chronicle.com
November 5, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Shock doctrine tactics supported by schlock data make a mockery of shared governance. UNL AAUP are fighting hard. Time for faculty at every university going through "program review" to stand with their colleagues and students being targeted. @aaup #highered
www.chronicle.com/article/a-un...
www.chronicle.com/article/a-un...
The ad paid for by Ontario during the ALCS is well done. The audio is a 1987 anti-tariff talk by Reagan (about how they hurt people and tank the economy) set to modern video.
October 21, 2025 at 1:12 AM
The ad paid for by Ontario during the ALCS is well done. The audio is a 1987 anti-tariff talk by Reagan (about how they hurt people and tank the economy) set to modern video.
Reposted by Timothy R Cain
Reposted by Timothy R Cain
Mary Anne Franks explains what Fearless Speech is, and why we need to practice it more than ever. @maryannefranks.bsky.social
October 16, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Mary Anne Franks explains what Fearless Speech is, and why we need to practice it more than ever. @maryannefranks.bsky.social
Reposted by Timothy R Cain
#BREAKING: The Department of Education has delayed the semiannual convening of its accreditation advisory committee, NACIQI, for the second time this year, according to an email obtained by @insidehighered.com.
NACIQI Meeting Delayed by Government Shutdown
In an email to committee members Tuesday, department officials said the meeting will now take place in December.
www.insidehighered.com
October 14, 2025 at 9:01 PM
#BREAKING: The Department of Education has delayed the semiannual convening of its accreditation advisory committee, NACIQI, for the second time this year, according to an email obtained by @insidehighered.com.
The officiating in the UGA/Auburn game is a cluster
October 12, 2025 at 1:25 AM
The officiating in the UGA/Auburn game is a cluster
I’m sitting outside in DuPont Circle, drinking a beer, listening to the Cubs, and working on a field guide to help protect academic freedom (being put together by the AAUP’s Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom). It is a pretty great way to spend a Wednesday night.
October 9, 2025 at 12:18 AM
I’m sitting outside in DuPont Circle, drinking a beer, listening to the Cubs, and working on a field guide to help protect academic freedom (being put together by the AAUP’s Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom). It is a pretty great way to spend a Wednesday night.
Reposted by Timothy R Cain
Join us! Monday at 7. www.aaup.org/event/politi...
October 6, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Join us! Monday at 7. www.aaup.org/event/politi...
Reposted by Timothy R Cain
“Trump’s restrictions on H-1B visa applications will lead to less lifesaving research, reduced innovation, & diminished competitiveness. This short-sighted policy will hurt every American by slowing research breakthroughs, weakening our economy & putting our global leadership at risk.”
—Todd Wolfson
—Todd Wolfson
Groups File Suit Over Trump’s $100,000 H-1B Visa Fee
www.nytimes.com
October 3, 2025 at 8:23 PM
“Trump’s restrictions on H-1B visa applications will lead to less lifesaving research, reduced innovation, & diminished competitiveness. This short-sighted policy will hurt every American by slowing research breakthroughs, weakening our economy & putting our global leadership at risk.”
—Todd Wolfson
—Todd Wolfson
Reposted by Timothy R Cain
It's publication day for UNIVERSITY KEYWORDS. Across 27 sharp essays, the book offers a critical account of the political economy of US higher education, how it came to be structured this way, and how together we might build a better university together.
September 9, 2025 at 12:40 PM
It's publication day for UNIVERSITY KEYWORDS. Across 27 sharp essays, the book offers a critical account of the political economy of US higher education, how it came to be structured this way, and how together we might build a better university together.
This is Monday. I'll be there. The other panelist will be a lot better.
WEBINAR ALERT!💻
The AAUP is hosting a webinar exploring the importance of independent accreditation systems for maintaining professional standards & examining threats a politicized accreditation system poses to academic freedom.
▶️October 6, 7PM
The AAUP is hosting a webinar exploring the importance of independent accreditation systems for maintaining professional standards & examining threats a politicized accreditation system poses to academic freedom.
▶️October 6, 7PM
Politicizing Accreditation in the South and Beyond
This webinar will explore the historic importance of independent accreditation systems for maintaining professional norms and standards for public higher education and examine the threats a politicize...
www.aaup.org
October 3, 2025 at 2:05 AM
This is Monday. I'll be there. The other panelist will be a lot better.
Reposted by Timothy R Cain
Reposted by Timothy R Cain
🚨🚨🚨
TONIGHT @7PM ET:
AAUP PresidentTodd Wolfson will be live discussing yesterday’s proposal by the Trump admin to give preferential treatment to colleges & universities that pledge allegiance to their ideological agenda.
Tune in on the AAUP’s YouTube & Instagram channels!
TONIGHT @7PM ET:
AAUP PresidentTodd Wolfson will be live discussing yesterday’s proposal by the Trump admin to give preferential treatment to colleges & universities that pledge allegiance to their ideological agenda.
Tune in on the AAUP’s YouTube & Instagram channels!
October 2, 2025 at 8:26 PM
🚨🚨🚨
TONIGHT @7PM ET:
AAUP PresidentTodd Wolfson will be live discussing yesterday’s proposal by the Trump admin to give preferential treatment to colleges & universities that pledge allegiance to their ideological agenda.
Tune in on the AAUP’s YouTube & Instagram channels!
TONIGHT @7PM ET:
AAUP PresidentTodd Wolfson will be live discussing yesterday’s proposal by the Trump admin to give preferential treatment to colleges & universities that pledge allegiance to their ideological agenda.
Tune in on the AAUP’s YouTube & Instagram channels!
Reposted by Timothy R Cain
Some schools will be starved of resources. Other schools will be offered bribes. The end goal is the same. To make the universities an extension of the Trump administration. Shame on any of these institutions willing to take the bribes.
October 2, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Some schools will be starved of resources. Other schools will be offered bribes. The end goal is the same. To make the universities an extension of the Trump administration. Shame on any of these institutions willing to take the bribes.
Reposted by Timothy R Cain
Introducing “Faculty on the Frontlines,” a new series from the Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom that documents the stories of AAUP members!
Over the next 2 weeks, we will spotlight the stories of 10 AAUP members fighting to defend academic freedom.
Check out our teaser 🔥
Over the next 2 weeks, we will spotlight the stories of 10 AAUP members fighting to defend academic freedom.
Check out our teaser 🔥
October 1, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Introducing “Faculty on the Frontlines,” a new series from the Center for the Defense of Academic Freedom that documents the stories of AAUP members!
Over the next 2 weeks, we will spotlight the stories of 10 AAUP members fighting to defend academic freedom.
Check out our teaser 🔥
Over the next 2 weeks, we will spotlight the stories of 10 AAUP members fighting to defend academic freedom.
Check out our teaser 🔥
Reposted by Timothy R Cain
Your AAUP-SC is proud to be participating in this Oct 6 event on Zoom. Register here: www.aaup.org/event/politi...
September 26, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Your AAUP-SC is proud to be participating in this Oct 6 event on Zoom. Register here: www.aaup.org/event/politi...
I wish people knew the actual work that a lot of faculty members do. It is advising, teaching, reading, serving, researching, and sometimes writing. I have four students trying to defend in the next five weeks, so tonight I am reading and commenting.
September 24, 2025 at 2:22 AM
I wish people knew the actual work that a lot of faculty members do. It is advising, teaching, reading, serving, researching, and sometimes writing. I have four students trying to defend in the next five weeks, so tonight I am reading and commenting.
Reposted by Timothy R Cain
📢 Our open letter reminds public higher ed leaders + administrators that their actions must follow the law, not political rhetoric. The First Amendment protects the teaching of controversial topics. Executive orders and legislation to the contrary cannot override this constitutional protection.
September 22, 2025 at 11:17 PM
📢 Our open letter reminds public higher ed leaders + administrators that their actions must follow the law, not political rhetoric. The First Amendment protects the teaching of controversial topics. Executive orders and legislation to the contrary cannot override this constitutional protection.
Read this in the archives today. It is from the resignation letter of a dean in the early 60s after the governor ordered a faculty member fired for political reasons and the board agreed. The president fought back but the professor was still formally reprimanded and denied a raise. Seems relevant.
September 19, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Read this in the archives today. It is from the resignation letter of a dean in the early 60s after the governor ordered a faculty member fired for political reasons and the board agreed. The president fought back but the professor was still formally reprimanded and denied a raise. Seems relevant.
Reposted by Timothy R Cain
One thing that seems increasingly clear is that the shooter was mostly disconnected from politics, acted alone, and even his roommate did not know what was going on. There are no groups involved in the Kirk shooting according to the evidence, but it is still "round up the usual suspects"
Russia designated the 'LGBT Movement' as a terrorist organisation. They know there is no such group; that's the point. It means they can choose to arrest ANYONE with any association with LGBT issues and treat them as a terrorist.
The fact that 'antifa' is not a group should not be a comfort here.
The fact that 'antifa' is not a group should not be a comfort here.
September 17, 2025 at 2:25 AM
One thing that seems increasingly clear is that the shooter was mostly disconnected from politics, acted alone, and even his roommate did not know what was going on. There are no groups involved in the Kirk shooting according to the evidence, but it is still "round up the usual suspects"
As a reminder, until this year, the largest settlement of this type was a $14 million fine for Liberty University after a 2-year investigation involving repeated violations of the Clery Act with Title IX implications.
Trump Proposes $1.2B Settlement Fee to UCLA https://bit.ly/4n6eo8d
September 16, 2025 at 10:47 PM
As a reminder, until this year, the largest settlement of this type was a $14 million fine for Liberty University after a 2-year investigation involving repeated violations of the Clery Act with Title IX implications.