This week in college admissions, top universities are accepting students off the waitlist at the last minute, the Supreme Court rules that the NIH does not have to restore funding for terminated research grants, Ohio University cuts academic programs to comply with a new state law, and the University of Florida names an interim president.
Several highly selective universities, including Harvard, Stanford, Rice, and Duke, admitted students off their waitlists in late summer, shortly before classes were set to begin. Waitlists traditionally close in spring or early summer, but this year, top universities have faced financial pressures due to budget cuts and declines in international student enrollment. Some universities, such as Rice, offered financial incentives to offset financial commitments students may have made to other schools.
The Supreme Court has ruled that the National Institutes of Health is not obligated to restore federally-funded research grants to universities. Researchers sued the NIH in April, and in June, a Massachusetts judge ordered the NIH to restore funding immediately. However, the Supreme Court ruled that the researchers will need to re-file their suits in federal claims court.
Ohio University will be closing or merging multiple academic programs with low enrollment. A new state law requires public universities in Ohio to eliminate programs that grant fewer than five degrees annually. Students currently enrolled in these programs will be able to complete their degrees.
The University of Florida has hired Donald Landry as its interim president. Landry is a former administrator at Columbia University’s medical school, and is currently the president of the American Academy of Sciences and Letters. UF will begin a national search for a permanent leader.
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