Weekly Briefing: He complained about parking fees. Then he was fired.

Plus, a college president blames low enrollment on pro-Palestinian protests. ADVERTISEMENT [Weekly Briefing Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. Fired for complaining - This instructor complained about parking fees. He lost his job. Ted Roberts, a senior instructor, taught history at Tarleton State University for 12 years. When Roberts (pictured above) was called into the acting dean’s office for a meeting, he first thought it was about his appointment to the tenure and promotion committee. Instead, he was told his contract would not be renewed after he spoke out about the Texas university’s parking-fee increases — his cost jumped from $105 a year to $400. [Our Nell Gluckman has the story](. - Shaun Harper has spent his career advocating for underrepresented students. He’s the head of the University of Southern California’s Race and Equity Center, and he’s become well known among academics, serving on an advisory committee for Barack Obama’s White House and consulting for colleges and private companies like Nike and Microsoft. As anti-DEI legislation emerges across the country, Harper has had to pause some planned projects. [Our J. Brian Charles profiles Harper as his life’s work is under attack](. - Emerson College’s president said students’ pro-Palestinian protests had caused an enrollment decline. Jay M. Bernhardt, president of the liberal-arts college in Boston, sent an email last week stating that the projected incoming first-year class was smaller because of multiple factors, including the protests. Some on campus say that blaming the protests obscures other causes of the enrollment drop. [Our Eric Kelderman explains](. - When was the last time you were really a student? Two readers of our Teaching newsletter recently signed up for dance lessons. Their different experiences show how learning a new skill can be illuminating for instructors. [Read more in the Teaching newsletter here](. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to essential news, analysis, and advice. ADVERTISEMENT Lagniappe - Read. Electric vehicles are promoted as a relief for the climate crisis. But essential to EVs is nickel, a metal with a track record of fatal mining accidents in Indonesia. [This investigation]( explores the difficult trade-off between the benefits of EVs and the dangers of nickel mining. (Bloomberg Businessweek) - Watch. Headphone and earbud wearers: [Here’s how to protect your hearing](. (Vox on YouTube) — Fernanda UPCOMING PROGRAM [The Chronicle's Library and Institutional Success Program | July 2024] The Chronicle is partnering with Ithaka S+R to host a brand new [professional development program for librarians]( in July. This innovative two-week program will help library leaders understand the many roles they might take on, boost the success of the campus library, and better align with their institution’s goals. Learn more about our seminars and workshops, and [register today]( Chronicle Top Reads THE REVIEW | ESSAY [Will Republicans Save the Humanities?]( By Jenna Silber Storey and Benjamin Storey [STORY IMAGE]( Colleges in red and purple states have been going on a hiring spree. SPONSOR CONTENT | Hudson Valley Community College [Inauguration into UNESCO's Network]( Explore how HVCC is making history as the first U.S. community college to join UNESCO's network, shaping the future of vocational education. DISMANTLING DIVERSITY [‘A Slap in The Face’: How UT-Austin Axed a DEI Division]( By Katherine Mangan [STORY IMAGE]( The 49 staffers thought their jobs were safe. Then they were summoned to a Zoom call. DUAL CAREERS [Which Top Research Universities Are Most Receptive to Partner Hires?]( By Megan Zahneis [STORY IMAGE]( A research team at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill ranks every R1 institution in a newly published scorecard. ADVERTISEMENT FROM THE CHRONICLE STORE [Adapting to AI - The Chronicle Store]( [Adapting to AI]( Artificial intelligence has taken higher ed by storm, and the implications extend far beyond the classroom. [Order this report]( to improve your understanding of AI technologies, and explore how other colleges are adapting their policies and guidelines. JOB OPPORTUNITIES [Search jobs on The Chronicle job board]( [Find Your Next Role Today]( Whether you are actively or passively searching for your next career opportunity, The Chronicle is here to support you throughout your job search. Get started now by [exploring 30,000+ openings]( or [signing up for job alerts](. NEWSLETTER FEEDBACK [Please let us know what you thought of today's newsletter in this three-question survey](. This newsletter was sent to {EMAIL}. [Read this newsletter on the web](. [Manage]( your newsletter preferences, [stop receiving]( this email, or [view]( our privacy policy. © 2024 [The Chronicle of Higher Education]( 1255 23rd Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20037