University funding/finances
Audit finds shortcomings in Australian university’s capital works, budget, fraud control and executive pay arrangements
The latest USS valuation may have been conducted amid crashing markets, but there is no escaping the need for changes, says Kate Barker
Estates directors complain about academics wanting offices to be ‘toasty warm’ around the clock despite visiting for only a couple of hours a week
Hepi report on graduates’ perspectives on English loans system spotlights ‘psychological burden’ as ministers set to unveil loan hikes
A$40 million repayments flagged so far the tip of the iceberg, union says
Former corporate finance analyst promises to help students negotiate campus aid awards in return for a cut
Amid concern on graduate employment in Westminster and across West, looking at funding systems that put labour market demand at centre is instructive
UCL president says the move back to in-person teaching has been complicated by huge costs sunk into digital learning
Green paper ‘asks the right questions’, including whether crown research institutes should collocate with universities
Funding preschool instead has compelling rationale, but US should extend both ends of compulsory education, say experts
Funding guarantee ‘cost government nothing’ and funding reforms ‘delivered no extra students’, Senate estimates committee hears
Months of talks among congressional Democrats shifts community college focus to preschool ages and aids minority campuses and immigrants
Meeting student demand on climate, Canada’s top-ranked institution to cut oil companies from C$4 billion endowment by 2030
Amid a recognition of numerous threats, leaders remain convinced that their institutions will be OK
Ombudsman pledges crackdown if institutions fail to come clean
Changes around student loan terms in England had been expected, but spending review only says announcement in ‘coming weeks’
University of Alberta president credits data and demographics for revival
Community colleges and small private institutions call for more government aid as undergraduate numbers shrink another 3 per cent
Australian university applications and offers defy both Covid and Canberra
Emphasis on student earning outcomes risks overlooking the bigger picture, say academics
The UK government’s £300 million funding pledge must be confirmed in the spending review, and departmental closures must stop, says Jon Keating
Four-year institutions long preferred to emphasise Pell Grant rather than work with community colleges to aid two-year transfers
As another legal ruling cements the concept of student athletes as employees, institutions need to react, say Harry Johnson and Nicole Buffalano
Australian inquiry also recommends new national strategy, top-up funding and better union entry rights
As COP26 looms, universities’ vital place in the UK’s environmental armoury must be recognised in the spending review, says Judith Petts
‘Return to pre-pandemic levels’ and refusal to lift cap to accommodate deferring students will limit opportunities, Russell Group warns
A more liberal visa regime could also help fill skills gaps as Australia looks to recover from the pandemic, says James Cauchy
Sector leaders want to see cash flow beyond top universities and borders reopen for international students
Union queries necessity, as sector braces for the loss of hundreds more positions
In a digital era, academics’ time would be far better spent on assessment, curation and mentoring, says Terry Young
Black students expected to be disproportionately hurt by local refusals to accept federal aid, analyses conclude
Lifelong Education Commission says ministers should explore how to ‘stack’ microcredentials and drop ELQ rule
Institutions need to do all they can to stay visible and be ready to welcome students back when borders reopen, says Stephen Connelly
Universities UK submission to upcoming spending review urges Westminster government to support change of provision
Australian universities’ 2020 financial fortunes were little influenced by their dependence on overseas students
Reform of student financing expected as part of comprehensive spending review next month
OECD data suggest UK is among those with biggest skew towards higher education, although student loans may explain some of the impact
Geoff Hanmer claims Australian universities are being pressured to build towering city campuses that students dislike
Universities Wales chair says institutions are waiting on Westminster reforms, when England should instead be following their lead
Any changes to borrowing terms likely to hit average earners hardest, warns IFS
Non-metropolitan campuses in the box seat as pandemic escalates exodus from the cities
College’s defenders say its demise will dilute free expression, but education minister says its original critics opposed it for the same reason
Public investment in higher education falling in many OECD countries, says Education at a Glance
Permanent rather than casual staff now being targeted, report suggests, but expert queries data underpinning the analysis
Acknowledgment comes days after apology from Melbourne
Amid languishing quality, introducing what could be a more expensive curriculum to deliver may not boost employability, says Pushkar
Ivy League standard-bearer cites climate wreckage in cutting oil industry from its $42 billion (£30 billion) endowment
Education secretary also tells v-cs that some universities are ‘pursuing a divisive agenda involving cancelling national heroes’
The EU’s massive cash injection with double Italy’s languishing higher education budget, says Ferruccio Resta
With land prices and Covid costs both ballooning, universities are selling up and retreating on to campus
Awareness campaigns and reconfigured assessments are key to reining in cheating, says Ashley Norris
US threatens aid cut if states prohibit Covid protections, and then makes clear university campuses are included
Economist says scrutiny could boost transparency of university accounts, provide benchmarking advice and avoid risky excesses
Method for calculating true cost of research means lower growth projections could impact grant income
Faculty quit and various sides sue as administrators and conservative politicians forbid health precautions
Campaign pledge of universal student loan forgiveness remains on the agenda, but disagreement abounds over its wisdom and long-term impact
Warnings of downward trend in cost recovery on domestic students
But about-turn leaves gaps and lingering fears about challenging political power
Long-standing challenge on research disclosures grows more urgent with rising China tensions and anti-Asian discrimination
Proposed redundancies target science, engineering and IT – disciplines supposedly favoured by funding reforms