This week in college admissions, many students at highly selective schools receive disability accommodations, the White House expands restrictions on foreign students, college students are negatively affected by heavy phone use, and Harvard’s interim president will remain indefinitely.
Recent reports show that many students at highly selective colleges and universities receive disability accommodations, such as extra time on assignments and tests. At Stanford, nearly 40% of students are registered as disabled, while at Harvard and other Ivy League schools, the number is around 20%. Experts attribute the increase to broader access to mental health care and reduced stigma, but some are also concerned that accommodations will leave students unprepared for the job market.
The Trump administration has expanded travel bans and restrictions to include 39 countries, including Nigeria, one of the top sources of international students in the US. NAFSA: Association of International Educators called the expansion misguided, arguing that it will make the US less competitive by making it harder to attract top international talent.
A recent survey found that more than half of U.S. college students report spending five or more hours daily on recreational screen time, which is linked to higher rates of anxiety and depression. Most students believe colleges and universities should do more to support breaks from technology, including establishing phone-free spaces on campus and providing incentives to get offline.
Harvard’s interim president, Alan M. Garber, will now stay in the role indefinitely, according to Harvard’s governing board. Garber, who holds three degrees from Harvard in economics, had originally been set to serve as president until 2027. The board expressed satisfaction with Garber’s leadership through recent turbulent times.
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