Daily Lumina News 112123

There are many reasons for the discontent that some people feel about higher education today, from high tuition sticker prices and large amounts of student loan debt to political polarization and doubts about graduates’ work readiness.
But one of the biggest contributors to declining public confidence in American colleges may be the disproportionate amount of attention paid to elite, top-ranked universities.

Lone Star College, a community college with eight campuses in Texas, has one "campus" that’s different than the others—it’s all online.
Lone Star College-Online isn’t an outlier. Community colleges are increasingly finding that online enrollments make up a sizable chunk of their student bodies. Higher ed experts say the trend calls for more online supports.

Tensions are erupting over the war between Israel and Hamas. And from MIT to Brandeis University, students, faculty, staff, and donors are at odds over claims of everything from antisemitism to genocide.
Education reporter Max Larkin offers his thoughts on how the Israel-Hamas conflict is playing out on college and university campuses today.

Even before the Varsity Blues scandal, college admissions had a reputation as an insider's game. On this podcast, former admissions officer Kyra Tyler shares her experience working in an admissions office, where she was asked to prioritize less academically qualified students with family connections and wealth.
Reporter Fazil Khan joins the conversation to discuss new data showing the net price of college is actually rising faster for lower-income students, exacerbating the disparities in higher education.

Why is the founder of Craigslist so focused on spending his time and money on philanthropy? And why is he inspired to help veterans and teachers, in particular?
Craig Newmark explains his desire to do good and create a legacy of compassion and empowerment in this interview.

In an effort to address basic needs insecurity among students, the New Jersey Office of the Secretary of Higher Education is launching a free online tool to connect college students to resources and support.
The navigation tool will provide a central location for students to look up information on housing, food, transportation, childcare, and state assistance processes.