Brown University reached a deal with the Trump administration to restore federal research funding and comply with certain policies, including a $50 million contribution to workforce programs over ten years, amid pressure campaigns targeting elite schools.
Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate, has been charged with the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson in Manhattan. Mangione, who comes from a wealthy Baltimore family, was arrested in Pennsylvania and faces multiple charges, including murder and weapon possession. He has a background in tech, having founded an app and worked as a data engineer. Mangione's online presence includes discussions on AI and a favorable review of The Unabomber Manifesto. His family expressed shock and devastation over his arrest.
Luigi Mangione, a 26-year-old Ivy League graduate from a wealthy Baltimore family, has been arrested for allegedly shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangione, who had a promising academic and professional background, was found with a 3D-printed gun and a document expressing hostility towards corporate America. His online presence included a review of the Unabomber manifesto, raising questions about his motives. Friends and family are shocked by the arrest, as Mangione had been missing from social media for months prior to the incident.
Maurie McInnis, currently leading Stony Brook University, has been named the next president of Yale University, starting July 1. McInnis, a Yale alumna and cultural historian, will take on the role during a turbulent time in higher education, marked by protests and leadership changes. She succeeds Peter Salovey, who has been Yale's president since 2013.
Harvard College will require applicants to submit standardized test scores for fall 2025 admission, reversing its previous test-optional policy. This decision follows similar moves by other Ivy League schools, citing the tests as the best predictors of academic performance and a means to increase socioeconomic diversity. Critics argue that standardized tests create barriers for disadvantaged students, but Harvard officials believe the tests can make the admissions process more meritocratic. The university will accept alternative scores in exceptional cases and plans to assess the policy regularly. Other selective schools, such as the University of Chicago and Columbia University, remain test-optional.
A report by the Anti-Defamation League graded 85 top US universities on their efforts to combat antisemitism, with only Brandeis University and Elon University receiving an "A" grade. Thirteen elite schools, including Harvard and Princeton, were given an "F". The report documented 746 alleged antisemitic incidents at these campuses, with reports skyrocketing amid the Israel-Hamas conflict. The ADL praised Brandeis for revoking recognition of its Students for Justice in Palestine chapter, while also commending Elon University for promoting informed dialogue. Several Ivy League institutions, including Columbia and Cornell, received disappointing grades, with disturbing incidents of antisemitism reported on their campuses. The ADL called for serious changes in school leadership to support Jewish communities and address the historic levels of antisemitic incidents on campus.
Harvard College experienced a decrease in applications this year, while other highly selective schools, except for Brown University, saw a surge in applicants. The decline in Harvard's applications is speculated to be linked to a year of turmoil, including controversies and a historic Supreme Court decision on affirmative action. Despite this, the college remains optimistic about the talents and experiences of the incoming class.
Columbia's women's basketball team, led by head coach Megan Griffith, made a strong case for an NCAA Tournament berth after their Ivy League tournament championship game loss to Princeton, citing their impressive performance last year and their close games against strong opponents. The committee listened, and the Lions will play their first-ever NCAA tournament game against Vanderbilt. The team's star senior Abbey Hsu has a compelling life story, and their offense is top-ranked. Vanderbilt, with a size advantage and strong defense, is ready to represent the SEC.
Yale clinched the Ivy League title and secured a spot in the NCAA tournament with a thrilling 62-61 victory over Brown, as Matt Knowling hit a buzzer-beating jumper to seal the win. The Bulldogs overcame a late deficit, capping off the game with an 8-1 run. This marks Yale's seventh NCAA tournament appearance, while Brown's hopes for their first tournament berth since 1986 were dashed in a heartbreaking finish.
Former Ivy League rivals McKenzie Forbes, Kaitlyn Davis, and Kayla Padilla joined forces at USC and played pivotal roles in the Trojans' Pac-12 tournament title win, marking the program's first championship in a decade. The trio, dubbed "nerds" by coach Lindsay Gottlieb, overcame individual disappointments in the Ivy League to achieve collective success in the Pac-12. Their experience and contributions were instrumental in USC's victory, showcasing their ability to step up in crucial moments and carry the team to success.
Yale University will require standardized test scores for admission for students applying to enter in the fall of 2025, citing potential harm to students from lower-income families under test-optional policies. The new policy will be "test flexible," allowing students to submit subject-based Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate test scores in place of SAT or ACT scores. This decision follows a similar move by Dartmouth College and MIT, but contrasts with the majority of institutions that have maintained test-optional policies as the pandemic waned.
Princeton's basketball team's impressive win over Yale highlights the flaws in the NCAA's selection process, as the team, despite a strong record and performance, is not considered a candidate for an at-large bid to the NCAA Tournament. The team's coach, Mitch Henderson, expressed frustration with the metrics-driven evaluation system, emphasizing the team's readiness to compete in March Madness. The article also highlights the team's strong performance and the support it received from fans, while pointing out the challenges the team faces in securing a spot in the tournament due to the lack of opportunities to face Quad 1 opponents.
Harvard University is obstructing a congressional probe into campus-wide anti-Semitism, prompting lawmakers to warn of subpoenas if the school continues to stonewall the investigation. The House Committee on Education and the Workforce has given Harvard until Feb. 14 to produce documents outlining its response to anti-Semitism on campus, following concerns about the safety of Jewish and pro-Israel students. Lawmakers have criticized Harvard for providing insufficient and heavily redacted documents, escalating tensions between the university and Republican lawmakers.
Dartmouth College is reinstating its standardized testing requirement for undergraduate applicants, becoming the first Ivy League school to move away from "test-optional" admissions. The decision is based on evidence suggesting that standardized testing will improve the school's ability to attract promising and diverse students, particularly those from less-resourced backgrounds. While the SAT will be available online and shorter, Dartmouth emphasizes that test scores will not be the primary factor in its "holistic admissions" process.
Dartmouth College, an Ivy League institution, has decided to reinstate the requirement for standardized test scores in its admissions process, reversing its previous test-optional policy. This move comes amid ongoing debates about the role of standardized testing in college admissions and its impact on diversity and equity.