University funding/finances

Covid and public funding cuts hit London arts institution, while union also criticises new bank covenants

With concerted efforts, the UK could attract far more than 600,000 international students to its shores, says James Pitman

The pandemic may just push US colleges and universities to do what they should have done a long time ago: reorganise, says Michael Hadjiargyrou

Australia’s wealthiest university locks horns with one of its own academics, who says ‘the public has a right to know’

Ontario parliament demands documents over university’s unprecedented bankruptcy, though analysis may turn to realities of bankrolling remote communities

Outside a few elite institutions promising online formats for the coming semester, campus health experts fear monetary strains may overpower medical judgement

Sector awaits key details on scheme requiring ‘complete remake of student finance system’ and likely to face Treasury scepticism

Jury takes three hours to agree nanoscience expert lied about Wuhan ties to sidestep pressure campaign against binational research partnerships

Omicron variant amplifying uncertainties, but initial indications suggest federal relief and economic growth may permit another year of post-secondary gains

Funding for green campuses, levelling up and international links would be a gift from Santa Rishi Sunak to himself, too, says Nick Isles

The Taliban’s professed support for higher education has not been matched by their actions so far, says Rahmatullah Katawazai

European University Association survey also highlights importance of increasing staff support and management buy-in

New book challenges some of the Australian university sector’s holy cows

Diversifying income stream also makes institutions less exposed to possible government cuts, say Ian Matthias and Mike Boxall

Government promises response to review’s other recommendations ‘in due course’

Scrutiny of graduate outcomes is appropriate but the issue is much more complex than arts v science, says Anna Vignoles

‘Traffic light’ coalition brings festive joy with ‘very specific and detailed’ promises to sector that felt neglected by last administration

The University of Alberta president discusses using data, collaboration and a positive vision to turn around the institution while minimising internal disputes

Audit finds shortcomings in Australian university’s capital works, budget, fraud control and executive pay arrangements

The latest USS valuation may have been conducted amid crashing markets, but there is no escaping the need for changes, says Kate Barker

Estates directors complain about academics wanting offices to be ‘toasty warm’ around the clock despite visiting for only a couple of hours a week

Hepi report on graduates’ perspectives on English loans system spotlights ‘psychological burden’ as ministers set to unveil loan hikes

A$40 million repayments flagged so far the tip of the iceberg, union says

Former corporate finance analyst promises to help students negotiate campus aid awards in return for a cut

Amid concern on graduate employment in Westminster and across West, looking at funding systems that put labour market demand at centre is instructive

UCL president says the move back to in-person teaching has been complicated by huge costs sunk into digital learning

Green paper ‘asks the right questions’, including whether crown research institutes should collocate with universities

Funding preschool instead has compelling rationale, but US should extend both ends of compulsory education, say experts

Funding guarantee ‘cost government nothing’ and funding reforms ‘delivered no extra students’, Senate estimates committee hears

Months of talks among congressional Democrats shifts community college focus to preschool ages and aids minority campuses and immigrants

Meeting student demand on climate, Canada’s top-ranked institution to cut oil companies from C$4 billion endowment by 2030

Amid a recognition of numerous threats, leaders remain convinced that their institutions will be OK

Ombudsman pledges crackdown if institutions fail to come clean

Changes around student loan terms in England had been expected, but spending review only says announcement in ‘coming weeks’

University of Alberta president credits data and demographics for revival

Community colleges and small private institutions call for more government aid as undergraduate numbers shrink another 3 per cent

Australian university applications and offers defy both Covid and Canberra

Emphasis on student earning outcomes risks overlooking the bigger picture, say academics

The UK government’s £300 million funding pledge must be confirmed in the spending review, and departmental closures must stop, says Jon Keating

Four-year institutions long preferred to emphasise Pell Grant rather than work with community colleges to aid two-year transfers

As another legal ruling cements the concept of student athletes as employees, institutions need to react, say Harry Johnson and Nicole Buffalano

Australian inquiry also recommends new national strategy, top-up funding and better union entry rights

As COP26 looms, universities’ vital place in the UK’s environmental armoury must be recognised in the spending review, says Judith Petts 

‘Return to pre-pandemic levels’ and refusal to lift cap to accommodate deferring students will limit opportunities, Russell Group warns

A more liberal visa regime could also help fill skills gaps as Australia looks to recover from the pandemic, says James Cauchy

Sector leaders want to see cash flow beyond top universities and borders reopen for international students

Union queries necessity, as sector braces for the loss of hundreds more positions

In a digital era, academics’ time would be far better spent on assessment, curation and mentoring, says Terry Young

Black students expected to be disproportionately hurt by local refusals to accept federal aid, analyses conclude

Lifelong Education Commission says ministers should explore how to ‘stack’ microcredentials and drop ELQ rule

Institutions need to do all they can to stay visible and be ready to welcome students back when borders reopen, says Stephen Connelly

Universities UK submission to upcoming spending review urges Westminster government to support change of provision

Australian universities’ 2020 financial fortunes were little influenced by their dependence on overseas students

Reform of student financing expected as part of comprehensive spending review next month

OECD data suggest UK is among those with biggest skew towards higher education, although student loans may explain some of the impact  

Geoff Hanmer claims Australian universities are being pressured to build towering city campuses that students dislike

Universities Wales chair says institutions are waiting on Westminster reforms, when England should instead be following their lead

Any changes to borrowing terms likely to hit average earners hardest, warns IFS

Non-metropolitan campuses in the box seat as pandemic escalates exodus from the cities

College’s defenders say its demise will dilute free expression, but education minister says its original critics opposed it for the same reason