Academe Today: College feels transactional to many students. Who — or what — is to blame?

Troubled colleges, be careful with your endowment; whom academic boycotts really hurt; perpetual disruption at work; cover letters for jobs; and more. ADVERTISEMENT [Academe Today Logo]( You can also [read this newsletter on the web](. Or, if you no longer want to receive this newsletter, [unsubscribe](. ALWAYS RIGHT? [College Feels Transactional to Many Students. Who — or What — Is to Blame?]( By Beth McMurtrie [STORY IMAGE]( Students increasingly see themselves as customers and college as a means to an end. Faculty members are wrestling with the consequences. ADVERTISEMENT [College Feels Transactional to Many Students. Who — or What — Is to Blame?]( SPECIAL REPORT [Teaching Gen Z]( [STORY IMAGE]( Today’s youngest college students face a scary future. They tend to be risk-averse and to distrust administrators and faculty members. Colleges that help them feel connected will flourish, and contribute to a flourishing society. COLLATERAL QUARREL [Attention, Colleges Desperate for Cash: Be Careful With the Endowment]( By David Jesse [STORY IMAGE]( As the now-closed Finlandia University fought to stay open, it pledged restricted gifts as collateral on a loan. A court fight over the decision demonstrates risks for struggling colleges everywhere. THE REVIEW | OPINION [Academic Boycotts Hurt Dissidents Most]( By Michał Bilewicz [STORY IMAGE]( An Eastern European scholar says the AAUP’s new policy is a mistake. TEACHING [When Disruption Is Perpetual, It’s Time to Think Differently About Work]( By Beth McMurtrie [STORY IMAGE]( Teaching experts offer advice on how to do more than just survive another semester. NEWLY UPDATED [DEI Legislation Tracker]( By Chronicle Staff [STORY IMAGE]( We’ve updated the tracker with a bill in Mississippi that seeks to dismantle colleges’ diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Upcoming Workshop [The Chronicle's Early-Career Faculty Bootcamp | September 2024] Join us in September for a half-day virtual workshop that will offer early-career faculty the opportunity to build their skills, understand institutional and role-specific contexts, and gain access to the insights that experienced faculty wished they had known. [Learn more and register!]( Virtual Events: Tune In Live [Chronicle Festival: The Road Ahead to 2035]( [STORY IMAGE]( UPCOMING: September 10-12, 2024 | Join us for our annual ideas summit, on how higher ed must plan for student demographic shifts, tech change, an uncertain labor market, and more. What can your institution do to adapt? With Support From Workday, University of South Florida, New Jersey Institute of Technology, Florida International University, Google, and Strada. [Register here.]( SUBSCRIBE TO THE CHRONICLE Enjoying the newsletter? [Subscribe today]( for unlimited access to essential news, analysis, and advice. Views IN CASE YOU MISSED IT [How to Tailor Your Cover Letters for Faculty Jobs]( By Jennifer S. Furlong and Stacy M. Hartman [STORY IMAGE]( It’s not easy to customize application letters. You’ll spend a lot of time asking yourself, “Am I doing this right?” 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 thousands]( of faculty, administrative, and executive job openings and [upload your resume]( to be searchable by employers! [TENURE TRACK POSITIONS Fall 2025]( West Chester University [Dean of the School of Design]( Royal College of Art [Presidential Postdoctoral Fellowship]( Brown University [Vice President for University Advancement]( Colorado State University [Tenure-Track Assistant Professors of Nursing (2 positions) or Public Health (1 position)]( University of South Carolina [Department Chair and Full Professor: Biomedical Engineering and Informatics]( Luddy School of Informatics, Computing and Engineering at IUPUI CAREER RESOURCES [Finding a New Job] [Read the September collection]( for advice on crafting your CV. Learn what to include on your CV, how to tailor it for faculty jobs, how to write a cover letter, and more! READ OUR OTHER NEWSLETTERS [Latitudes]( | [Race on Campus]( | [The Review]( | [Teaching]( | [Your Career]( | [Weekly Briefing]( | [The Edge]( NEWSLETTER FEEDBACK [Please let us know what you thought of today's newsletter in this three-question survey](. [The Chronicle of Higher Education Logo]( 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