Robert Kelchen
@robertkelchen.com
Professor & department head, University of Tennessee, Knoxville. I study higher ed finance, accountability, and financial aid. Washington Monthly rankings data editor. Dad, gardener, and baker. Personal account.
https://robertkelchen.com/
https://robertkelchen.com/
Reposted by Robert Kelchen
Lol look at education shining
November 10, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Lol look at education shining
The Higher Learning Commission's ability to accredit is also likely under review by the federal government as a result of this action.
The U.S. Air Force Academy's academic accreditation is under review following a formal complaint that the institution no longer has sufficient Ph.D.-level faculty as the federal government reduces its civilian workforce // Story by @thenoellephillips.bsky.social
Air Force Academy’s accreditation under review after cuts to civilian faculty
Concerned alumni and former faculty told The Denver Post they believe the academy is losing too many civilian Ph.D.-level instructors without the ability to replace them with qualified military mem…
www.denverpost.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:21 PM
The Higher Learning Commission's ability to accredit is also likely under review by the federal government as a result of this action.
Reposted by Robert Kelchen
A play in two acts:
November 10, 2025 at 3:24 PM
A play in two acts:
I took a quick look at the debt and earnings levels of programs that the negotiated rulemaking committee deemed "professional," as well as other large doctoral programs that were excluded (in spite of having better debt-to-earnings ratios).
robertkelchen.com/2025/11/10/e...
robertkelchen.com/2025/11/10/e...
November 10, 2025 at 3:53 PM
I took a quick look at the debt and earnings levels of programs that the negotiated rulemaking committee deemed "professional," as well as other large doctoral programs that were excluded (in spite of having better debt-to-earnings ratios).
robertkelchen.com/2025/11/10/e...
robertkelchen.com/2025/11/10/e...
I'm a bit surprised that schools aren't closed today with this bit of snow last night and a chance of snow showers this afternoon.
November 10, 2025 at 1:55 PM
I'm a bit surprised that schools aren't closed today with this bit of snow last night and a chance of snow showers this afternoon.
Reposted by Robert Kelchen
New evidence on how ICE is affecting student learning
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1erU5Oe0vJYdVjuqQi4sfhUGxS0BGjWl8/view?usp=drivesdk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1erU5Oe0vJYdVjuqQi4sfhUGxS0BGjWl8/view?usp=drivesdk
November 10, 2025 at 10:40 AM
New evidence on how ICE is affecting student learning
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1erU5Oe0vJYdVjuqQi4sfhUGxS0BGjWl8/view?usp=drivesdk
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1erU5Oe0vJYdVjuqQi4sfhUGxS0BGjWl8/view?usp=drivesdk
The negotiated rulemaking session on defining professional programs essentially just added clinical psychology to the bare minimum required by law, even though the law gives more leeway to include other programs. This will end up in court.
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
November 10, 2025 at 9:57 AM
The negotiated rulemaking session on defining professional programs essentially just added clinical psychology to the bare minimum required by law, even though the law gives more leeway to include other programs. This will end up in court.
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
Reposted by Robert Kelchen
in 1984, after SCOTUS allowed conferences/schools to negotiate CFB TV contracts themselves instead of everything going through the NCAA, this was the very first new deal signed.
No joke, they used to show Ivy League football on PBS.
November 8, 2025 at 1:04 AM
in 1984, after SCOTUS allowed conferences/schools to negotiate CFB TV contracts themselves instead of everything going through the NCAA, this was the very first new deal signed.
Reposted by Robert Kelchen
Cornell basically got the same "deal" UVA got, but they're forking over $30 million as well.
Cornell has reached an agreement with the federal government to restore our funding:
statements.cornell.edu/2025/2025110...
statements.cornell.edu/2025/2025110...
An agreement to restore Cornell’s federal research funding | University Statements | Cornell University
statements.cornell.edu
November 7, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Cornell basically got the same "deal" UVA got, but they're forking over $30 million as well.
Reposted by Robert Kelchen
Elwood Watson of East Tennessee State takes the measure of various college rankings and finds @washingtonmonthly.com to be the best for most students. www.myjournalcourier.com/opinion/arti...
Commentary: A different way to rank colleges — Elwood Watson
Commentary: Washington Monthly has published rankings with the intent of avoiding what the most prestigious rankings seek to reward: an institution’s wealth, prestige, and exclusivity.
www.myjournalcourier.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:00 PM
Elwood Watson of East Tennessee State takes the measure of various college rankings and finds @washingtonmonthly.com to be the best for most students. www.myjournalcourier.com/opinion/arti...
While small colleges will have higher per-student operating costs, New College of Florida is blowing that out of the water. The state is asking more questions as their US News ranking is down 60 spots in recent years.
www.insidehighered.com/news/governa...
www.insidehighered.com/news/governa...
November 7, 2025 at 10:31 AM
While small colleges will have higher per-student operating costs, New College of Florida is blowing that out of the water. The state is asking more questions as their US News ranking is down 60 spots in recent years.
www.insidehighered.com/news/governa...
www.insidehighered.com/news/governa...
In a surprising development, the federal negotiated rulemaking committee reached consensus on the list of programs that count as professional (and thus have higher loan limits than other graduate programs).
Graduate Programs Will Soon Feel the Brunt of Loan Caps as Changes to Federal Aid Advance
If fewer students can afford to enroll, higher-ed advocates say, colleges may struggle to sustain many of their master’s and professional degrees.
www.chronicle.com
November 7, 2025 at 1:05 AM
In a surprising development, the federal negotiated rulemaking committee reached consensus on the list of programs that count as professional (and thus have higher loan limits than other graduate programs).
Reposted by Robert Kelchen
also, none from SC, where one of the commission's staff is from
November 6, 2025 at 7:51 PM
also, none from SC, where one of the commission's staff is from
Tennessee is notably absent, as are flagship institutions.
From today's FL Bd. of Gov meeting, the Commission for Public Higher Ed, announced cohort of 10 colleges to test its standards:
Texas A&M: Kingsville, Texarkana
U System of GA: Columbus State, Ga. Southern
SUS FL: FL Polytech, FL Atlantic U
UNC: App State, NC Central
FL State colleges: Chipola
Texas A&M: Kingsville, Texarkana
U System of GA: Columbus State, Ga. Southern
SUS FL: FL Polytech, FL Atlantic U
UNC: App State, NC Central
FL State colleges: Chipola
November 6, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Tennessee is notably absent, as are flagship institutions.
Reposted by Robert Kelchen
Matt Rhule says his staff is jumping on calls to get the air travel plans figured out as the shutdown nears 40 days.
Government Shutdown Could Affect Nebraska's Travel to UCLA
Nebraska football's trip west could run into some interruptions over the next couple of days. 'Our travel plans are very up in the air right now because of the
www.si.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Matt Rhule says his staff is jumping on calls to get the air travel plans figured out as the shutdown nears 40 days.
Reposted by Robert Kelchen
A college athlete investing in a pro sports team. Amazing how things have changed in the last 5-10 years.
The Legacy just added a game-changer ⭐️
Basketball star JuJu Watkins is joining Boston Legacy FC as an investor, helping shape the next era of women’s sports in the city of champions.
Basketball star JuJu Watkins is joining Boston Legacy FC as an investor, helping shape the next era of women’s sports in the city of champions.
November 6, 2025 at 3:28 PM
A college athlete investing in a pro sports team. Amazing how things have changed in the last 5-10 years.
Educational administration programs across the country tend to have high tuition discount rates because they help colleges keep and retain employees.
At my last job, this became an issue and I capped the number of student employees. They weren't happy.
www.highereddive.com/news/univers...
At my last job, this became an issue and I capped the number of student employees. They weren't happy.
www.highereddive.com/news/univers...
November 6, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Educational administration programs across the country tend to have high tuition discount rates because they help colleges keep and retain employees.
At my last job, this became an issue and I capped the number of student employees. They weren't happy.
www.highereddive.com/news/univers...
At my last job, this became an issue and I capped the number of student employees. They weren't happy.
www.highereddive.com/news/univers...
This is a good look at how HBCUs are using large unrestricted gifts that they have never seen before. It's a combination of strategic investments, student support, and seeding endowments.
How HBCUs Plan to Spend MacKenzie Scott’s Money
The philanthropist dropped upward of $300 million on historically Black colleges and universities this fall. Campus leaders are overjoyed and spending in ways they never thought possible.
www.insidehighered.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:31 AM
This is a good look at how HBCUs are using large unrestricted gifts that they have never seen before. It's a combination of strategic investments, student support, and seeding endowments.
Reposted by Robert Kelchen
It's going to be interesting to see how this plays out and whether University of Austin survives. Making it free is a great move, and I'd love to see more places do it, but I'm not confident that even a gift of this size will be enough to keep it tuition free, unless it stays very small.
University of Austin to End Tuition ‘Forever’ with Help of $100M Gift
U Austin Announces $100M Gift, End to Tuition ‘Forever’
After receiving even more support from a big conservative donor, the not-yet-accredited institution announced it will neither charge tuition nor accept government funds. Some are skeptical.
www.insidehighered.com
November 6, 2025 at 12:56 AM
It's going to be interesting to see how this plays out and whether University of Austin survives. Making it free is a great move, and I'd love to see more places do it, but I'm not confident that even a gift of this size will be enough to keep it tuition free, unless it stays very small.
Reposted by Robert Kelchen
Harvard’s faculty of arts and sciences says its running a massive structural deficit in part because of the endowment tax and in part because of deferred maintenance and failure to check other costs. Some faculty are not welcoming the coming cuts www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
November 5, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Harvard’s faculty of arts and sciences says its running a massive structural deficit in part because of the endowment tax and in part because of deferred maintenance and failure to check other costs. Some faculty are not welcoming the coming cuts www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
The joy of being both a department head and an active faculty member: I get told at least once a week that I look tired.
Yay.
Yay.
November 5, 2025 at 9:19 PM
The joy of being both a department head and an active faculty member: I get told at least once a week that I look tired.
Yay.
Yay.
I'm spending a lot of time thinking about the shift of students from lower-cost to higher-cost fields, further stretching institutional budgets (and something that often flies under the radar). Here is the trend for public research universities.
November 5, 2025 at 7:06 PM
I'm spending a lot of time thinking about the shift of students from lower-cost to higher-cost fields, further stretching institutional budgets (and something that often flies under the radar). Here is the trend for public research universities.
Even during the government shutdown, the negotiated rulemaking session on which programs should count as professional (and thus get higher loan limits) continues. The plane truth is that these conversations are tricky, as evidenced by a bachelor's degree in aviation.
ED Panel Makes Some Progress on Loan Caps
But some industries such as aviation are still pushing to get included in the department’s final definition for professional programs.
www.insidehighered.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Even during the government shutdown, the negotiated rulemaking session on which programs should count as professional (and thus get higher loan limits) continues. The plane truth is that these conversations are tricky, as evidenced by a bachelor's degree in aviation.
George Mason will get back to having a quorum on its governing board with likely unified Democratic control in Virginia.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrat Abigail Spanberger wins Virginia governor’s race.
November 5, 2025 at 1:22 AM
George Mason will get back to having a quorum on its governing board with likely unified Democratic control in Virginia.
Apparently, AI has its limitations as a studying tool.
Kim Kardashian Blames Failing Her Law Exam on Studying with ChatGPT: 'I'll Get Mad and I'll Yell at It'
Kim Kardashian revealed she used ChatGPT to study for a law exam – and blames the generative AI engine for her failing her test. Kardashian spoke about her AI usage for Vanity Fair's lie detector test...
people.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Apparently, AI has its limitations as a studying tool.