AGP Executive Report

Immigration Policy: Florida’s Board of Governors voted unanimously to bar undocumented students from enrolling in the state’s 12 public universities starting in 2027-28, requiring schools to verify legal status. Federal Higher Ed: The Trump administration proposed new rules that could strip tax-exempt status from universities that support DEI programs, arguing they amount to racial discrimination. Campus Safety: A driver fled an injury crash in Sparks, Nevada, prompting secure-campus precautions at Bohach Elementary and Sky Ranch Middle School; the alert later lifted after no threat was found. Public Safety & Accountability: An MIT assistant professor died after a bicycle crash in Cambridge; the crash remains under investigation. Higher-Ed Misconduct: A federal indictment alleges an SIUE lecturer used a university credit card for $100K+ in personal expenses, including rent and other items, and falsified invoices. Campus Operations: Duquesne University reported flooding and leaks across campus after heavy storms, with maintenance crews responding. Curriculum & Teaching: Texas A&M System approved changes to core curriculum offerings, while a new classroom physics lesson uses dinosaurs and Usain Bolt to help students separate velocity from acceleration. International Education: The Congolese government suspended academic activities at multiple public universities in Goma and Bukavu for the 2026-27 year amid a security crisis.

Campus Safety & Threats: Michigan State University temporarily closed Berkey Hall “out of an abundance of caution” after a reported potential threat; classes moved online while police assess. Hoax Alert: National University–MOA in Pasay City said a bomb threat was a hoax, with premises cleared and afternoon classes resuming. Security Incident: Austin police are searching for a suspect after an assault on a security officer at Huston-Tillotson University during an attempted escort off campus. Teaching & Learning: UC Berkeley math faculty are using dinosaur-and-sprinting activities to help students untangle velocity vs. acceleration. AI in Education: A Berkeley op-ed controversy over AI-assisted writing is fueling campus debate about how AI tools are used in student and public communications. Faculty Pay Pressure: Iranian professors threaten strikes if unpaid wages aren’t resolved by Sept. 22. Partnerships & Training: University of Sharjah and University Hospital Sharjah signed an MoU to expand clinical training and joint research. Student Life & Access: A University of Delaware law professor’s land-acknowledgment parody settlement highlights ongoing First Amendment fights in academia.

Workplace & pay compliance: Murdoch University agreed to back-pay more than $4.9 million to over 2,100 underpaid employees after Fair Work Ombudsman findings tied shortfalls to wrong classifications and missed step-increments, with a $125,000 contrition payment and tighter payroll controls. Campus safety & policing: UW-Whitewater canceled a “life-safety alert” after a person who entered a building yelling was found unarmed, while a separate incident at Memorial High School involved a detained student after a facsimile weapon was found. Student conduct & discipline: Louisiana’s new law makes smoking marijuana within 2,000 feet of colleges punishable by up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine, with no medical-marijuana exception. Athletics & health: Arizona State hockey player Matthew Mayich remains in a coma after collapsing during an outdoor workout, as the university reviews the session. Higher-ed governance: Scranton announced a cabinet reorganization and Title IX training sessions for staff and faculty, and a Texas trustee case surfaced again after records alleged falsified teaching applications. Campus life & learning: Georgia Tech opened a Trash Lab makerspace to turn campus plastics into new products, and Georgia Southern’s professor framed Southeast Georgia’s data-center boom as part of the AI geopolitical race.

Campus Safety & Conflict: Russian “Shahed” drones hit a Kyiv university during class hours, with 160 students sheltering; separate strikes damaged education sites and infrastructure in Odesa and other regions. Cybersecurity & Access: Princeton’s TigerHub and other PeopleSoft-linked portals are restricted off campus unless students use a VPN or secure portal, citing preventative upgrades after a prior fundraising database breach. Student Life & Belonging: University of Cincinnati students describe a messy-but-exciting welcome week and urge first-years to get out, join groups, and build connections fast. On-Campus Culture & Speech: A University of Cincinnati student op-ed highlights hate speech incidents targeting LGBTQ+ people and women during the first days of classes, calling out weak moderation. AI in Teaching: Australia’s universities are replacing in-person psychology classes with an AI chatbot for two compulsory subjects. Higher Ed Governance: University of Hawaiʻi is seeking public input on proposed Mauna Kea master plan updates tied to new stewardship rules. Program & Campus Growth: Kelowna’s theBLOC Creative Campus opens as a new production hub for creators. Student Success Stories: A LASU graduate celebrates a first-class degree after an ASUU disruption rerouted his path from a planned University of Ibadan admission.

AI & Work-Study Degrees: Sri Lanka’s AI Academy is partnering with Berlin’s Tomorrow University to launch challenge-based AI degrees (a BSc and an MBA) using a work-study model so students can earn German-recognized credentials without relocating. Campus Power Disruption: Southern University will stay closed Tuesday after a campus power outage, with classes and normal operations set to resume Wednesday. Constitutional Education in Public Libraries: Constitutional scholar Meg Mott will lead a “First Amendment” talk at Moultonborough Public Library on Sept. 16, focusing on speech, hate speech codes, and civic responses. Student Life & Food Access: A university opened a new $5 subsidized meal canteen to expand affordable on-campus dining. International Student Visa Scrutiny: A U.S. Labor watchdog signaled renewed attention on whether universities use J-1 and OPT workers in ways that undercut American hiring. Campus Safety & Violence: Multiple reports highlight renewed concerns after shootings near the University of Cincinnati campus. Lifelong Learning: Shenandoah University launches SAGE Scholars, placing adults 60+ directly into classes with undergrads to build intergenerational connections. AI Labs in China: HKU is partnering with tech firms to set up AI labs at its expanded Shanghai campus. Higher Ed Immigration/Compliance: Southern University’s outage also triggered schedule changes and limited meal service while power returns.

Campus Safety & Security: Brown University’s mass shooting review says it was “highly unlikely” the tragedy could have been prevented, but flags gaps in preparedness, including how campus police handled an active assailant. Local Response: A separate Providence evaluation found first responders acted appropriately, with room to improve communication. Campus Operations Disrupted: Southern University delayed classes to 1 p.m. after a power outage, with limited dining services. Food Access & Student Life: UF’s Krishna Lunch has been permanently banned after a box truck struck a student; students react as the group’s campus agreement ends. Public Health: Guernsey is pushing free Meningitis B shots for incoming students, citing strong uptake. Policy & Penalties: Louisiana’s new marijuana law expands harsher penalties around schools and campuses within a 2,000-foot zone. Higher Ed & Research: Marquette biomedical engineering professor Dr. Said Audi wins an NIH grant to study acute respiratory distress syndrome. University Growth: Qatar University will host a Joud Charity Festival to fund student support, while TUS outlines a €750m Athlone masterplan focused on research, postgraduate space, and a new library.

AI Curriculum Shift: Japan’s education ministry unveiled draft curriculum guideline revisions that, for the first time, explicitly weave generative AI into learning across subjects—emphasizing ethics, accuracy, and less rote testing. Writing Across Disciplines: The University of Iowa launched a new program to centralize writing instruction in history and anthropology, aiming to strengthen students’ critical thinking and reporting of learning. Campus Safety & Violence: The University of Cincinnati sent a letter after multiple shootings near campus, saying it’s boosting patrols and working with police; UW-Madison students also reacted to a reported sexual assault near campus. Student Life & Housing: Sacramento State’s new on-campus housing mandate begins, while University of Tulsa students face a newly reported meal-trade upcharge. Higher Ed Policy & Access: A lawsuit challenges SUNY Broome’s recognition rules for a Christian student group; meanwhile, Ohio State agreed to a $2.1M settlement over alleged failure to disclose China ties in federal grant applications. Campus Operations: Tampa Bay Rays stadium work is expected to start soon, with a temporary “Nest” campus planned to keep Hillsborough College students on-site.

Education City in Qatar: Qatar Foundation’s Higher Education chief says campuses in Education City shifted to remote learning during Iran–US tensions, but students and faculty largely returned and applications surged. Architecture curriculum shake-up: 25 architecture deans and directors say 2026–27 design education must prepare students for uncertainty, with more interdisciplinary work, tech, climate resilience, and public engagement. Program cuts and consolidation: Miami University is removing 80+ majors/programs and consolidating departments, aiming to rebalance offerings as enrollments and budgets tighten. Endowment strain: Cash-strapped Hiram College borrowed tens of millions from its endowment to cover deficits, raising questions about how long the “forever” model can last. Labor and teaching continuity: Hofstra faculty avoided a strike by extending contract talks through Sept. 4, keeping classes on track. STEM-to-workforce push: Florida Atlantic won an NSF grant to connect undergraduate STEM learning to real-world workforce readiness. New campus models: St. Cloud Tech created a Husky Transfer Hub to streamline pathways to St. Cloud State. Student life and governance: USF elects its first Black woman student body president; meanwhile, Jadavpur University graffiti politics reignited after walls were whitewashed.

Honorary Degree Backlash: Students at Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila (PLM) are questioning the university’s decision to award an honorary Doctor of Laws to President Marcos, saying it could look like political endorsement and that they weren’t consulted. Campus Safety Review: Brown University’s external review of its December 2025 mass shooting says it’s “highly unlikely” the attack could have been prevented, while pointing to staffing and security gaps the school can strengthen. Construction Disruptions: CU-Bloomsburg is still mid-project across campus, including demolition work tied to a new utility building and ongoing arts center renovations, with road and pedestrian detours expected into fall 2027. Shared Governance Rules: The University of Alabama System moves faculty senates into “advisory-only” status under state law, reshaping how faculty can influence curriculum and academic decisions. Student Support Spaces: The University of Hawai‘i expands sensory-friendly rooms and pop-up tools to all 10 campuses to help students manage stress and refocus. Campus Dining Change: Chick-fil-A will close its University of New Mexico location after the 2026–27 academic year, with UNM Food and Aramark planning new dining options. Transfer Pathway: University of St. Francis and Kankakee Community College announce a guaranteed transfer agreement to streamline admission and advising for eligible students. AI in Curriculum: University of Wisconsin interim chancellor Eric Wilcots discusses how AI is being woven into the upcoming academic year, including responsibilities for students and faculty. Water Stress Meets Tech: Amazon changes course on water use for a Virginia data center campus after groundwater permit concerns, as regulators warn the aquifer can’t handle major new withdrawals. Workforce Training Boost: Lake-Sumter State College lands a $5.2M grant to expand CDL and lineworker training via a new workforce center in Eustis. Campus Security Alerts: Police investigate reports of shots fired near the University of Cincinnati campus; an all-clear was later issued.

Campus Safety: Santa Monica College police and Santa Monica PD searched after a report of a person allegedly armed with a gun; authorities later said there was no credible threat and no suspect was found. Campus Security & Crime: James Madison University students were told to shelter in place after a shooting near student apartments left one person seriously hurt; police say there’s no active threat. Higher Ed Recognition: Ghana’s GTEC warned students against enrolling in 100 institutions it says are not recognised, urging checks before relying on certificates. Teaching & Workforce: Jigawa State began CBT for 500 Tsangaya teaching jobs as 9,000+ candidates compete, aiming to modernise the Qur’anic-plus-vocational model. Nursing Education: Nigeria’s NUC approved UBTH College of Nursing Sciences to start a BNSc programme with UNIBEN from 2026/27. Policy & Language Rights: Rojava University criticised Syria’s plan to limit Kurdish-language instruction to three classes weekly, warning it could harm education outcomes. Flood Response: Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital received 59 bodies from Nepal’s Rasuwa flood as families continue searching. Admissions Planning: Bangladesh universities set 2026-27 undergraduate test dates, with exams running from early January through late December. Student Life: A convocation went viral after a graduate’s cat joined the ceremony and professors couldn’t help but smile and pet it.

Medical Training Tech: A Purdue-led study puts health professions students into a 360° virtual reality “drug journey,” finding the immersive lesson can change how they understand drug absorption—an issue tied to real-world prescribing mistakes. K-12 Curriculum Politics: Florida is rolling out new middle and high school standards on “the evils and dangers of Communism,” with critics warning it’s designed to shape what students think before college. Campus Safety Disruptions: Storms and fires hit campuses in multiple places—power outages and debris at Trinity University in San Antonio, plus brush-fire responses near Texas State Technical College. Higher Ed Funding Pressure: University presidents in South Korea are urging more predictable, long-term education financing as the government overhauls education budgets. International Student Policy: Japan’s University of Tsukuba expands quotas for foreign undergrads, aiming to raise the share of international students over time. Labor & Benefits: Workers at the University of Rochester Medical Center kick off contract talks focused on affordable health insurance, wages, and retirement benefits. Transfer Pathways: The University of St. Francis and Kankakee Community College sign a guaranteed transfer agreement to streamline bachelor’s admissions for eligible students. HBCU Support: Senator Jim Justice visits Bluefield State University to back the HBCU Arts Act and IGNITE HBCU Excellence Act. On-Campus Crime: A Florida teacher gets prison after pleading guilty to sexual activity with a 17-year-old student on campus.

AI in Schools: Traverse City Area Public Schools rolled out a formal AI policy after student use of generative tools surged, aiming to keep learning focused on thinking, not just answers. Campus Safety Alerts: William & Mary issued a Clery Act notice about stalking incidents and cyberstalking tied to campus locations, pointing students to support services. Gun on Campus: Deputies charged a 17-year-old with possessing a firearm on educational property after a handgun was found on Davie High School grounds; no threats were reported. Student Deaths & Investigations: A 17-year-old was found dead at the University of Makati; police are checking whether it was suicide or foul play. Student Activism & Elections: Delhi University’s DU Students’ Union campaigns are heating up as NSUI, ABVP and AISA court freshers for manifesto ideas. Teaching & Curriculum: St. Charles Parish Public Schools is expanding a social-emotional curriculum districtwide after a pilot showed fewer incidents. Higher Ed Policy & Politics: Nigeria’s ASUU at Ondo Medical University declared an indefinite strike over unpaid arrears and stalled agreements; Afghanistan’s Taliban ordered removal of law and political science from private universities. Campus Life & Tech: NVIDIA unveiled an open humanoid robot reference design for researchers using its Isaac GR00T platform.

Neurodiversity Pathways: Landmark College’s learning-differences certificate credits can now be applied toward an Antioch University master’s, expanding routes for educators and clinicians working with dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and executive function needs. Student Safety & Health: A 17-year-old student was found dead at the University of Makati; authorities are checking whether it was suicide or foul play. Campus Mental Health: Parents are urged to prepare for the emotional whiplash of starting university, with early conversations and clear plans for stress, isolation, and substance risks. Food Insecurity: Food Lion Feeds stocked East Carolina University’s Purple Pantry after shelves went empty at the start of the semester. Research & Innovation: The University of Maine launched a 30-foot 3D-printed boat, 3Dirigo X, aiming to speed up high-performance vessel manufacturing. Housing Crunch: Cal State Fullerton opened Jewel Plummer Cobb Hall to add 512 beds and chip away at a long waitlist. International Talent Race: Canada is recruiting dozens of researchers from the U.S., including five new University of Manitoba hires funded through federal programs. Campus Life & Inclusion: Miami University’s Best Buddies chapter earned top honors again for inclusion and outreach. Digital Academic Updates: The University of Sierra Leone ended hard-bound dissertation submissions in favor of electronic-only filings. Community & Infrastructure: Multnomah County advanced plans to renovate and expand its Department of Community Justice East Campus.

Campus Safety & Incidents: A 17-year-old student was found dead near a generator set at the University of Makati in Taguig, with police securing CCTV as they investigate the cause. In the U.S., a stabbing at Knoxville’s World’s Fair Park triggered a University of Tennessee emergency alert that was later lifted after police said there was no threat to campus. Emergency Response: Waukee, Iowa schools lifted an external lockdown after reports of an armed person near campus were investigated and deemed no active threat. Campus Fire: A University City house fire was traced to a malfunctioning battery-powered leaf blower, displacing four residents. Funding & Policy Pressure: Ghana’s universities face mounting financial strain, with leaders calling for new sustainable funding pathways. Scotland’s universities are also under a spotlight over a reported £200m funding gap. Teaching, Curriculum & Academic Freedom: West Point’s only climate scientist says he was fired after pushing back on rules limiting teaching about the human causes of climate change, now headed to federal court. International Expansion: The University of Western Australia received UGC approval to open a Mumbai campus in September 2026. Research & Industry Partnerships: Rigaku and Tohoku University launched a new X-ray metrology co-creation institute at Tohoku to train the next generation of researchers. Student Life & Facilities: Bradley University’s $8M University Hall renovation is nearing completion, part of broader campus upgrades.

Faculty Hiring & Pay Equity: A House budget hearing flagged that over 20,000 faculty at Philippines state universities are stuck in “job order” and contract-of-service roles despite years of teaching, with lawmakers pointing to staffing gaps and pushing for solutions. Campus Safety & Health: University of Maryland Eastern Shore reported a rabid bat found in a science building after a student was bitten, urging precautions; Lincoln University moved 49 students out of a dorm after mold was found. Sexual Violence Prevention: Bangladesh’s UGC and UN Women partnered to strengthen campus systems to prevent and respond to sexual and gender-based violence. AI in Teaching: MIT released guidance on how AI could reshape learning while warning about privacy and other risks; Harvard Business School also tested AI “cloned” professor avatars for practice pitches. Student Life & Operations: The University adjusted parking permits to expand commuter access; Gonzaga students are seeing renewed talk about vehicle break-ins. Policy & Oversight: North Dakota rescinded its TikTok ban for university devices, and an Arizona audit found gaps in higher-ed financial oversight. Campus Expansion: Grand Canyon University plans a College of Law and a College of Construction and Industrial Technologies. Higher-Ed Funding Crunch (UK): Scotland’s universities face a reported £200M funding gap and growing reliance on international student tuition.

Higher-Education Funding & Staffing: In the Philippines, ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio told a CHEd budget hearing that thousands of faculty at state universities and colleges are stuck on “job order” and contract-of-service roles, pushing CHEd to revisit how tuition could help fund more permanent plantilla positions. Campus Speech Rules: CHEd is also revisiting its “freedom of speech” and “freedom of assembly” guidelines after lawmakers raised student complaints, with consultations underway across student services policies. Campus Safety & Student Life: Canada’s University District Safety Initiative returns around Queen’s University during move-in and orientation, bringing tougher bylaw enforcement and possible summonses. Mental Health Under Scrutiny: Protests at IIT Delhi followed a student suicide, with demands for systemic mental-health support and a probe panel launched. Research, Tech & Industry Partnerships: Nova Southeastern University named climate scientist Jason Box to lead its ocean intelligence push and plans to refurbish a global research vessel; ICEYE opened a South Korean unit and will work with Seoul National University on SAR research and education. Sustainability on Campus: Parul University partnered with Ankur Scientific to turn campus waste into energy and carbon resources through on-site waste-to-energy systems.