Colleges

Federal Court Upholds Religious Freedom for Minnesota Colleges in Landmark Ruling on Dual Enrollment Program

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MINNEAPOLIS — A federal court has ruled that Minnesota religious colleges cannot be excluded from a state program designed to support dual enrollment for high school students, even if they require students to adhere to faith-based guidelines. U.S. District Judge Nancy Brasel made the decision on Friday, overturning a recently enacted Minnesota law aimed at barring Christian colleges from imposing religious criteria. The law, which was passed in 2023 with support from a Democratic-controlled legislature, sought to create what advocates described as a more inclusive environment for non-Christian, LGBTQ+, and other diverse student populations. Educational … Read more

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities Takes Stand Against Legal Challenge to HSI Designation

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San Antonio, Texas — The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU), with the support of civil rights organization LatinoJustice PRLDEF, has filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Hispanic-serving institutions (HSIs). The suit, led by the state of Tennessee alongside the advocacy group Students for Fair Admissions, claims that the federal criteria requiring 25 percent Latino enrollment for institutions to qualify as HSIs is discriminatory and violates constitutional principles. This legal action follows earlier lawsuits by the group that resulted in a Supreme Court ruling against affirmative action in … Read more

Groundbreaking $2.6 Billion Settlement: Colleges Set to Compensate Athletes Directly

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A federal judge in California has approved a landmark settlement agreement that will allow colleges to compensate student-athletes directly, a major shift in collegiate sports financing. The $2.6 billion deal aims to address the longstanding debate over whether student-athletes should receive compensation beyond scholarships and other educational benefits. The decision by Judge Claudia Wilken marks a significant change in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) landscape. Under the settlement, athletes enrolled at Division I schools will receive direct payments, which are expected to enhance their financial stability during and after their college careers. The settlement … Read more

Major Colleges Accused in $685 Million Lawsuit for Alleged Tuition Price-Fixing Scheme

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A recent lawsuit alleges that a consortium of prestigious U.S. colleges and universities engaged in a price-fixing scheme that led to students being overcharged by approximately $685 million. Filed in a Chicago federal court, the complaint accuses 16 prominent institutions of limiting financial aid through an unfair collaboration, potentially violating antitrust laws designed to protect competition and prevent monopolistic behaviors. The universities named include Yale, Georgetown, Columbia, and Northwestern among others. Collectively, these schools have historically prided themselves on offering need-blind admissions, which means that a student’s financial situation is not considered when deciding admission. … Read more