The Education Department has issued a request for information to gather public input on updating the accreditation handbook, following an executive order from President Donald Trump aimed at reforming the accreditation process. The department aims to reduce bureaucratic requirements and increase transparency and efficiency. Feedback can be submitted for 45 days.

A legal battle over university board appointments in Virginia has been resolved after a judge scheduled a trial for 2026, rendering the case moot as Governor-elect Abigail Spanberger prepares to take office. The case stemmed from Gov. Glenn Youngkin's attempt to appoint board members, many of whom were rejected by Democrats. Spanberger will now have the opportunity to appoint 22 board members, potentially shifting the political balance of the boards. The new governor is expected to quickly fill several vacancies, including those at George Mason University, which currently lacks a quorum.

Elite colleges and universities are enrolling a record number of low-income students, with Princeton University, Yale University, Duke University, Johns Hopkins University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology reporting increased numbers of Pell Grant-eligible students. However, this focus on economic diversity has not necessarily translated to increased racial diversity, as some institutions have seen a decline in Black student enrollment.