Are Trump’s Settlements Losing Steam?
From the earliest days of this administration, it has been evident that higher education would be a major focus of its agenda. While many expected international students to be the primary area of attention, few anticipated the broader goal of reshaping higher education as a whole. The administration began by issuing a series of executive orders that expanded its authority to address issues such as antisemitism and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). These actions have led to several aggressive enforcement campaigns and multiple university settlements. Institutions now face difficult choices about how to respond — with universities like Harvard and UCLA pushing back through litigation and, so far, finding some success in court.
“Institutions are once again committed to enforcing federal civil rights laws consistently, they are rooting out DEI and unconstitutional race preferences, and they are acknowledging sex as a biological reality in sports and intimate spaces.” Colleges have also “taken meaningful steps” to improve campus disciplinary policies as well as viewpoint diversity, [Department of Education spokesperson Madi Biedermann] wrote. “These reforms will restore our nation’s campuses to places of truth-seeking and excellence.”
Read more on Inside Higher Education >
Students, Unions to Protest Trump’s Higher Ed Agenda Friday
As we’ve noted many times, the Trump administration entered office with a clear and deliberate agenda for higher education. The speed of its early actions — from executive orders and lawsuits to visa revocations — left little time or space for opposition. Now, as universities, associations, and students have had time to absorb and assess these policies, we’re beginning to see meaningful pushback. So far, only a small number of universities have indicated plans to sign onto The Compact, and student and faculty organizations are increasingly voicing their resistance. This is a developing story we’ll continue to follow closely in the coming days and weeks.
“From attacks on academic freedom in the classroom to the defunding of life-saving scientific research to surveilling and arresting peaceful student protesters, Trump’s higher education policies have been catastrophic for our communities and our democracy,” AAUP president Todd Wolfson said in the release.
“We’re excited to help build a coalition of students and workers united in fighting back for a higher education system that is accessible and affordable for all and serves the common good.”
Learn more on Inside Higher Education >
US Students Are Voting with Their Feet – and Global Universities Are Ready
A record number of American students are applying to UK universities, with applications up nearly 14% over last year. The shift reflects something deeper than academic preference. It’s a response to uncertainty – political, cultural, and institutional – within the US higher education system.
Get the full story on the The PIE News >
Canada Rejects 74% of Indian Student Visas
In August 2025, approximately 74% of study permit applications from Indian nationals were rejected, compared with about 32% in August 2023. By contrast, the overall rejection rate for that same month was nearly 40%, and for Chinese applicants, it was approximately 24%.
The number of Indian applicants has also dropped markedly — from 20,900 in August 2023 to 4,515 in August 2025. India has been the country’s largest source of international students for years.
