Harvard legal scholar Cass Sunstein joins Mushtaq Gunja and Sarah Spreitzer to delve into the foundational role of the First Amendment in shaping responses to campus protests and free speech issues in higher education. Drawing from his latest book, Campus Free Speech: A Pocket Guide, written in the wake of the protests of spring 2024, Sunstein offers practical insights on the complexities surrounding the issue, including the distinctions between public and private institutions, the implications of Title VI, and more. The hosts also give a quick update on the short-term funding package approved by Congress just ahead of the Sept. 30 fiscal year deadline, and a new Government Accountability Office report on the troubled 2024 FAFSA rollout.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or podcast@acenet.edu.

Here are some of the links and references from this week’s show:

Campus Free Speech: A Pocket Guide

Cass Sunstein Wants to Help Universities Navigate Free Speech Conflicts
Inside Higher Ed | Sept. 3, 2024

House Set to Advance Bill Preventing Government Shutdown
The Washington Post (sub. req.) | Sept. 25, 2024

Congressional Watchdog Digs Into FAFSA Fiasco, Revealing Oversights, Call-Center Failures, and Unresolved Glitches
The Chronicle of Higher Education (sub. req.) | Sept. 24, 2024

In the latest episode, Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer kick off the sixth season with a deep dive into the key issues shaping higher education this fall. With Congress in a monthlong sprint, they explore a flurry of messaging bills along with the legislation lawmakers actually need to accomplish before heading out for full-time campaigning. They also discuss the Biden administration’s push to cement its higher education legacy. Finally, the conversation shifts to the 2024 presidential race, examining Kamala Harris and Donald Trump’s higher education agendas.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or podcast@acenet.edu.

Here are some of the links and references from this week’s show:

Speaker Mike Johnson Yanks Government Funding Bill Amid Growing GOP Defections
NBC News | Sept. 11, 2024

H.R.8281 - SAVE Act
Congress.gov

Republicans Seek to Revive China Initiative
Inside Higher Ed | Sept. 11, 2024

Letter to House Leadership on China Legislation
ACE | Sept. 9, 2024

Statement of Administration Policy: H.R. 1398 – Protect America’s Innovation and Economic Security from CCP Act of 2024
Executive Office of the President | Sept. 10, 2024

H.R.7683 - Respecting the First Amendment on Campus Act
Congress.gov

Federal Anti-Hazing Bill Moves One Step Closer to Becoming Law
Inside Higher Ed | Sept. 12, 2024

Letter on the Stop Campus Hazing Act
ACE | Sept. 10, 2024

College Cost Reduction Act: By the Numbers
ACE

SAVE Repayment Plan
Federal Student Aid

20 Senators Ask Cardona to Delay Gainful Employment, Financial Value Transparency Deadline
Higher Ed Dive | Sept. 11, 2024

ACE Policy Recommendations to 2024 Presidential Candidates
ACE | Sept. 11, 2024

In this episode, Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer give their insights into the current presidential election developments before they discuss decisions Congress faces prior to heading out for vacations and campaign trails. They tackle the latest developments in appropriations funding, and the markup of two House Ways and Means Committee antisemitism bills and their implications. Plus, they examine Congress’s efforts to address the FAFSA debacle and the Supreme Court’s Chevron decision.

As this is the final episode until September, Jon and Sarah also explore what will await Congress when they return after summer break, noting potential uncertainties influenced by the presidential elections.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or podcast@acenet.edu.

Here are some of the links and references from this week’s show:

Legislative Branch Spending Bill Defeated in House
Roll Call | July 11, 2024

House Approps Approves Labor-HHS Bill
Axios | July 11, 2024

House Republicans Advance 2 Contested Antisemitism Bills
Inside Higher Ed | July 10, 2024

Letter on the University Accountability Act and the Protecting American Students Act
ACE | July 8, 2024

House Committee Advances Bill to Mandate FAFSA Release by Oct. 1
Higher Ed Dive | July 10, 2024

Letter in Support of the FAFSA Deadline Act
ACE | July 9, 2024

Proposed Changes to FAFSA for the 2025-26 Award Year
ACE | May 22, 2024

Supreme Court Overturns 1984 Chevron Precedent, Curbing Power of Federal Government
CNN | June 28, 2024

OPINION: The Only Certainty Is Uncertainty
Inside Higher Ed | July 2, 2024

State Employees in Texas Not Subject to Overtime Rule, Judge Holds
HR Dive | July 1, 2024

Project 2025 Would Radically Overhaul Higher Ed. Here’s How.
Inside Higher Ed | July 11, 2024

In this episode, ACE General Counsel Peter McDonough joins us to delve into the turbulent developments in college sports over the past year. Jon and Sarah then discuss recent House action on campus protests, the status of the FAFSA for the upcoming award year, and why higher ed should be watching the National Defense Authorization Act.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or email podcast@acenet.edu.

Here are some of the links and references from this week’s show:

NCAA, Leagues Back $2.8 Billion Settlement, Setting Stage for Current, Former Athletes To Be Paid
Associated Press | May 23, 2024

College Athletes Barred From Employment Status in New GOP Bill
Bloomberg Law | May 23, 2024

Covid-era Funding for Schools Ending Soon
Politico | June 10, 2024

A Potential Path Forward for Pell Grant Expansion
Inside Higher Ed | June 11, 2024

Navigating the FAFSA Crisis: A Timeline
American Council on Education

NASPA President Kevin Kruger joins the podcast to talk about the challenges facing students—and student affairs professionals—in 2024. On the agenda: the spring protests over the war in Gaza, student mental health, DEI, and how student affairs can support students during this time of almost unprecedented challenge.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or email podcast@acenet.edu.

Here are some of the links and references from this week’s show:

Centering Students in Our Draft Framework for the Carnegie Social and Economic Mobility Classification
Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education | May 13, 2024

Webinar: Carnegie Classifications: Social and Economic Mobility Framework Update
Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education | June 3, 2024

PTSD Has Surged Among College Students
The New York Times (sub. req.) | May 30, 2024

ACE Resources on Campus Mental Health and Well-being

Center for Collegiate Mental Health 2023 Annual Report
Penn State

Eating Disorders Among Teens More Severe Than Ever
NBC News | April 19, 2023

2023 Top Risks Report: Insights for Higher Education
United Educators

Faculty Guide to Supporting Student Mental Health
The Jed Foundation

In this episode, Jon Fansmith and Sarah Spreitzer discuss the campus protests that have been making headlines nationwide and how Congress and the Biden administration are responding to these concerns in Washington.

They also talk about state challenges to the new Title IX regulations, some positive news regarding the rollout of the new FAFSA, a congressional hearing on legislation to help DACA recipients, and more.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or email podcast@acenet.edu.

Here are some of the links and references from this week’s show:

House Passes Antisemitism Bill With Broad Bipartisan Support Amid Campus Arrests
NBC News | May 1, 2024

Bill Summary: The Antisemitism Awareness Act of 2023 (H.R. 6090/S. 4127)
American Council on Education

Dear Colleague Letter: Protecting Students from Discrimination, such as Harassment, Based on Race, Color, or National Origin, Including Shared Ancestry or Ethnic Characteristics
Department of Education | May 7, 2024

The Campus Speech vs. Safety Tightrope: A Conversation With Fred Lawrence
American Council on Education | May 13, 2024

Education Department Boosts FAFSA Outreach Efforts to Close Completion Gap
Higher Ed Dive | May 6, 2024

Dreamers Urge Protections in Senate Hearing on Immigrant Youth
NBC News | May 8, 2024

US Committee Targets Georgia Tech’s Alleged Ties to Chinese Military Linked Research
Reuters | May 9, 2024

2024 Changes to the Title IX Regulations: What Campuses Need to Know Now
American Council on Education | April 29, 2024

Resources on Title IX and Campus Sexual Assault Regulations
American Council on Education

Over 20 GOP-Led States Sue Biden Administration Over Title IX Rules for LGBTQ Students
NBC News | May 8, 2024

Political Standoff Over Title IX Puts Red State Colleges in No-Win Situation
Inside Higher Ed | May 14, 2024

In a special episode, Fred Lawrence, secretary and CEO of Phi Beta Kappa, returns to dotEDU to help explain how tensions between free speech and campus safety can lead to the unrest happening at some campuses in response to the war in Gaza. He also addresses how campus communities of different viewpoints can and should move forward to address conflicts before crises start.

Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or email podcast@acenet.edu.

Here are some of the links and references from this week’s show:

How Campus Protests of the Past May Inform Pro-Palestinian Student Demonstrations
ABC News | May 6, 2024

Negotiate? Call in the Police? University Presidents Try Range of Tactics as Protests Roil Campuses
The Wall Street Journal (sub. req.) | May 1, 2024

How Student Protests Are Changing College Graduations
NPR | May 7, 2024