Over the past year, the Trump administration has leveraged federal civil rights laws to transform higher education governance at some of the nation’s most prestigious institutions. Through a combination of funding freezes, settlements, and unprecedented accreditation pressure, the Department of Education (ED) and the White House have effected sweeping policy changes from elite universities under the banner of enforcing Title VI and Title IX.
Not Just a No-Show: Understanding Faculty Absence at Graduation
Each spring, university campuses are spruced up: Lawns are mowed and stages assembled, and rows of chairs fill the arena. Graduation is a time-honored tradition, celebrating students’ hard work and
Heidi Hillman
July 21, 2025
