A month ago, the author wrote about the "official" materials one submits for a tenure-track academic hire, like a statement of one's teaching philosophy and a list of references. But in the Internet age, the "unofficial" part of an application is what exists about a person online. In 2009 the author wrote columns about the role of social media,…

There are times when passion for a job is seriously tested by the circumstances and conditions of the work. The accumulated effect of long hours, increasing demand for services, shrinking budgets, intractable issues, litigious environments, and what seems at times like incessant bashing of higher education for political purposes can lead to…

An African-American stripper's false accusation of rape against three white Duke University lacrosse players in 2006--and the overzealous prosecution that followed--ultimately exposed prosecutorial misconduct, a rush to judgment, and simmering tensions of class, race, privilege, and gender. Michael L. Seigel, a professor of law at the University…

Conduct officers have been moving away from the legalistic disciplinary systems that colleges built in the latter half of the 20th century on the belief that they'd lose lawsuits without them. Confident now that judges won't expect those systems to conform to the rules of criminal procedure, colleges are making hearings less like trials, and more…

The fiscal year that begins on July 1 for most colleges is expected to bring a wave of layoffs, as institutions grapple with declining state contributions, a falloff in donations, and other budget pressures. Eliminating jobs can create a number of legal pitfalls, including potential lawsuits for breach of contract or discrimination. If handled…

A "contract" is, in its essence, a collection of legally enforceable promises that are intended to satisfy the desires of two or more parties. In the sphere of university presidents, employment contracts normally are in writing and contain both the agreed-upon economic terms and the hopes and dreams of the individuals involved. Those contracts are…

This article reports on the College Art Association's decision to settle with a scholar who felt defamed by an article in one of its scholarly journals which shines a spotlight on so-called "libel tourism." When the College Art Association decided recently to settle rather than fight a possible libel action in Britain over a book review…

A gasp-provoking amount of money will be donated and bequeathed to the nation's colleges over the next two generations. The total amount of college endowments is about $411.2-billion, according to the National Association of College and University Business Officers, and it can be expected to double, if not triple, in size over the next several…

In a student production of "Dracula" at Texas A&M University some years ago, the final scene was exceptionally dramatic. One actor stabbed another, who was playing the vampire, in the chest with a real knife. A volunteer director from the community, who was assisting the drama club, had decided that the scene required the actual weapon, not the…

As new technologies emerge on campuses, how can colleges avoid legal land mines? What are the areas of greatest risk, and how should higher-education leaders deal with them? In this article, three experts offered their advice at the Technology Forum: Beth Cate, associate general counsel at Indiana University, on data privacy and security; Steven…

Gay and lesbian faculty members may no longer be desperate to hide their true identities in academe, but many are desperately seeking health insurance for their partners. With anti-gay discrimination fading, obtaining health and other benefits for partners is still a major concern for many gay and lesbian academics. A growing number of colleges…

The status as of October 9, 1986 of higher education-related Supreme Court litigation is outlined concerning: accreditation, affirmative action, asbestos, bar examinations, collective bargaining, creationism, racial discrimination, infectious disease, liquor sales, pensions, pregnancy benefits, revocation of degree, sexual harassment, and student…

Describes how, when the Enron Corporation collapsed, Harvard made money while the University of California lost $145 million. (EV)

Examines disputes over Internet addresses and World Wide Web domain names that include names of institutions of higher education. Notes that problems range from individuals who coincidentally use an institution's name to cybersquatters who reserve such domain names with the intention of later sales to the particular institutions. Reports that most…

Describes how the growing field of risk management is helping colleges deal with a rising tide of costly litigation. (EV)