Have found it strangely calming and hopeful to go through my scholarly association's program book and read paper titles.

I think this editor has a fixation on the AAUP.

Provost: "Every academic decision right now will be based on student demand as measured by credit hour production and ROI as measured by earnings after graduation." Faculty: "What about the new school for civics?" Provost: "...Except that one."

This is the way.

Hal Weiler is having too many drinks throughout the day to be vice president.

People are mad about the "professional degrees" reclassification, but can't people still borrow up to $100k? I guess the $20k annual limit could place some limits on people at certain institutions. But at least wrt education, $100k is A LOT of debt.

Pick yourself up a little holiday treat from Hopkins Press. Tons of great higher ed books, and you can get 40% off through 12/7 with the code below at checkout.

Is there an article you like that talks about faculty morale wrt AI in the classroom?

And now for the part of this article where I offer advice about all the bad shit happening in higher ed. Easy peasy.

One thing I keep asking is: have universities' promotion standards adjusted to the increasingly difficult realities of academic publishing? Is it even realistic for fields to require a book for tenure?

Talked to a faculty motivation researcher the other day who explained there's a type of motivation that's based on guilt, shame, and fear. There's a lot of faculty output from this type of motivation that is likely celebrated but not particularly healthy. They're motivated, in a way, but...

Costs (the money needed to provide an education) have risen. Prices (what students pay) have been at or below inflation for the past decade. That doesn't get nearly enough attention. NPR folks, you know where to find me.

Not the point but seems very likely his "teaching" is sitting in a chair and talking about stuff.

Yes it does but last night's game was still fun.

It's hard for me to overstate how bananas the accreditation process is for colleges of education.

One of the interesting tensions I've seen in my time as a faculty member is between what we might think of teaching versus course management. Teaching being maybe what happens in a class session or 1:1, while course management includes syllabus clarity, LMS management/design, communication, etc.

❤️

Ravens - Browns was probably the ugliest football I've seen all season. Really raised some questions about this as a professional sport.

We didn't snap a photo because we're silly, but just wanted to give a shout out to @leegee.bsky.social who was gracious enough to read my book, drive at the crack of dawn to a conference hotel, and do a little Q&A session with me. I'm fortunate to call him a friend and thought partner.

Listening to @drkevinrmcclure.com present on the Caring University as part of the PASSHE conference post-summit. Kevin lists 1. campus strategy 2. equity & belonging 3. rights & voices 4. caring leadership 5. growth & pay, and 6. humanizing policies as steps HE leaders can take to improve.

Hi! We’re a coffee shop where you had a work meeting eight months ago. Would you like to get two emails a week for the rest of your life?

"Hiring professors with PhDs is meaningless if administrators are the ones deciding what gets taught,” he said. “Faculty will start asking not, ‘Is this accurate?’ but ‘Will this get me in trouble?’ That’s not education, it’s risk management.” #HigherEd

Sick to my stomach. They are cutting a really, really strong Educational Administration department with some top-notch faculty. There is very little public service ethos left in higher ed. You either contribute to revenue/prestige in particular ways, or you are expendable.

This is next trip is just long enough that I have to actually be strategic about what I pack. And I hate it.

One little thing I've learned through all of this that might be good for academics to know - it's hard to sell books. People have a ton of options and finite attention/resources.

Getting lots of emails these days from people selling "Amazon visibility and sales" services to authors. It feels pretty predatory.

I'm a prude but think this market could be more regulated. I saw a can the other day with 50mg of THC. You're supposed to dose/dilute it, but...

Did you know I wrote a book?! Advanced copies are out and blurbs are in— coming your way Feb 10, 2026. And of course the very best thing to do is preorder your hardcover copy or audiobook! www.harpercollins.com/products/in-...

So, it's looking like there will be an audiobook version of my book. Not read by me! Not exactly sure how it all works, but an audiobook producer has acquired the rights.

the minute Halloween ends, the decorations become extra weird. I've been looking at Pennywise across the street for a week now and it gets more bewildering by the day.

You know, I don't anything about the company. But Canva is a damn good tech product at a time when that's hard to come by.

Why do Americans have so little trust in major institutions? Because we can't predictably rely on them to do what they were built to do.

If my upcoming travel gets disrupted, it will be inconvenient but not tragic. On the other hand, there are people who will undoubtedly have very important travel plans coming up. It breaks my heart that we live in a country where basic things are breaking down.

I find it annoying that I have submit to draft remarks for our chancellor to come to our EdD graduation ceremony and congratulate the graduates. ...you just say congrats, we are proud of you?

Heyo - I'm still trudging through a piece on faculty motivation in a time that's, well, de-motivating. I've talked to lots of lovely folks BUT if you happen to be in a role where you are trying things to animate or support faculty, help rediscover joy or community or purpose, etc. I'd love to chat!

the question nobody with a soul is asking, answered by people nobody wants to hear from

This is a good article from @leegee.bsky.social on the academic program review at Nebraska. This is the one using Academic Analytics and AAU membership-based metrics. www.chronicle.com/article/a-un...

To prep for the higher ed policy class on censorship next week, I'm rereading Schrecker's No Ivory Tower. Buddy this intro has it all! SCOTUS jumping on the bandwagon, disregard of first amendment rights, why congressional hearings played such a key role, how private companies aided the government.

Chronicle moratorium on op-eds related to FIRE or AAUP (I'll allow the latter if it's related to an AAUP policy document as opposed to debating the advocacy agenda of the organization).

I regret to inform you that simply not sending emails *is* a good strategy for getting fewer emails.

Starbucks is out here trying to sell a $2 protein cold foam with 3g of protein.

Alright, seems like a solid midwest/great lakes thing. But also some south-ish.

Did/do you call lollipops "suckers" and where are you from?

Is it asking too much for a federal law requiring companies to use the brown packaging tape that's easy to rip versus the clear plastic kind?

I'm spending a lot of time getting people to complete an online training where it's not easy see where the final submit button is.

I periodically get emails from PR people asking if I want to profile their client. Anyway, the latest one suggested that their client's AI product is easing enrollment professional's workload and improving their work-life balance. 😉

Remembering fondly the faculty member in my doc program who had us sign up to bring snacks for each class session because it was obvious he loved snacks. We liked it, too, to be clear. At least I think we did. But he was never shy about digging in.

It will never reach Parks & Rec levels (none will), but I have been enjoying The Paper. Anyone else watching it?

Rereading some passages this morning in preparation for our School’s book club meeting today, which is reading @drkevinrmcclure.com’s _The Caring University_. I know I’m late to the party on this but wow what a read it’s been so far!