Kris Olds
@oldskris.bsky.social
I'm a geographer/planner w interests in (de)globalization of services (incl #highered & #research) <> #cities, governance of HE, high impact teaching, ice hockey, jazz, photography. #Firstgen grad.
Never boring in Wisconsin #highered: www.wpr.org/news/uw-univ...
UW Board of Regents to consider firing President Jay Rothman at Tuesday meeting
The Universities of Wisconsin Board of Regents will meet Tuesday to discuss whether to fire Jay Rothman from his job as president of the the university system.
www.wpr.org
April 6, 2026 at 10:26 PM
Never boring in Wisconsin #highered: www.wpr.org/news/uw-univ...
Reposted by Kris Olds
France has sold off the last of its gold held in the US Federal Reserve and now holds all its gold in Paris.
German groups are now pressuring the government to repatriate its own gold.
German groups are now pressuring the government to repatriate its own gold.
French central bank nets €13bn by pulling gold out of US reserves
France’s central bank has sold off the last of the gold it held in the United States Federal Reserve and replaced it with higher quality bars in Paris, taking advantage of rising prices to make nearly...
https://www.rfi.fr/en/france/20260404-french-central-bank-nets-€13bn-from-us-gold-sale-consolidates-reserves-in-paris
April 6, 2026 at 9:11 AM
France has sold off the last of its gold held in the US Federal Reserve and now holds all its gold in Paris.
German groups are now pressuring the government to repatriate its own gold.
German groups are now pressuring the government to repatriate its own gold.
Reposted by Kris Olds
Okay, NSF is for some reason under an appendix, but they do have directorate-level numbers. Cuts pretty much across the board, including zeroing out SBE? which I suppose is what would happen with a 54% cut. Also worth looking at those FY26 estimates...
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
April 3, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Okay, NSF is for some reason under an appendix, but they do have directorate-level numbers. Cuts pretty much across the board, including zeroing out SBE? which I suppose is what would happen with a 54% cut. Also worth looking at those FY26 estimates...
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/u...
Universities of Wisconsin leaders looking to oust system president who refuses to quit apnews.com/article/univ...
Exclusive: Universities of Wisconsin leaders looking to oust system president who refuses to quit
The president of the 25-campus Universities of Wisconsin has said in letters obtained by The Associated Press that he’s been told to resign or he will be fired.
apnews.com
April 2, 2026 at 7:07 PM
Universities of Wisconsin leaders looking to oust system president who refuses to quit apnews.com/article/univ...
Reposted by Kris Olds
“Faculty at Texas A&M Univ were told..that roughly 200 courses…could be affected by a new system policy restricting classroom discussions of race & gender, the implementation of which has.. led administrators to direct a philosophy prof to remove Plato readings”
www.texastribune.org/2026/01/07/t...
www.texastribune.org/2026/01/07/t...
Texas A&M restrictions on race, gender could affect 200 courses
With the semester set to begin next week, professors have been directed to alter courses, and some classes have been removed or reassigned from the core curriculum at the College Station campus.
www.texastribune.org
January 8, 2026 at 2:31 PM
“Faculty at Texas A&M Univ were told..that roughly 200 courses…could be affected by a new system policy restricting classroom discussions of race & gender, the implementation of which has.. led administrators to direct a philosophy prof to remove Plato readings”
www.texastribune.org/2026/01/07/t...
www.texastribune.org/2026/01/07/t...
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill [foolishly] cuts all six area studies research centers, effective 2026 dailytarheel.com/article/univ...
UNC cuts all six area studies research centers, effective 2026
As part of the University's plan to make $70 million in budget cuts across the institution, Vice Chancellor for Finance and Operations Nate Knuffman projected that cutting 14 centers and institutes in...
dailytarheel.com
December 19, 2025 at 5:52 AM
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill [foolishly] cuts all six area studies research centers, effective 2026 dailytarheel.com/article/univ...
Reposted by Kris Olds
Striking Economist chart in the latest Tooze newsletter. Presumably NY's vertiginous rents would make NY's _real_ real wages (i.e. real wages post housing costs) look even worse by comparison. New mayor really has got a challenge on his hands
November 6, 2025 at 12:30 PM
Striking Economist chart in the latest Tooze newsletter. Presumably NY's vertiginous rents would make NY's _real_ real wages (i.e. real wages post housing costs) look even worse by comparison. New mayor really has got a challenge on his hands
At USC, more than 900 employees laid off since July amid 'difficult' fiscal crisis www.latimes.com/california/s...
At USC, more than 900 employees laid off since July amid 'difficult' fiscal crisis
The private university, long known for its wealth, has eliminated more than 900 positions and introduced other cuts in an effort to close a deficit of $200 million-plus.
www.latimes.com
November 4, 2025 at 6:33 AM
At USC, more than 900 employees laid off since July amid 'difficult' fiscal crisis www.latimes.com/california/s...
“Applications to the European Research Council (ERC), the EU’s funding organisation for basic research, and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), the EU’s initiative for doctoral and postdoctoral research, hit all-time highs in 2025.”
Trump’s university backlash drives US researchers towards Europe on.ft.com/4qKngmk
Trump’s university backlash drives US researchers towards Europe
EU grant applications hit record in 2025 amid surge in interest from American academics
on.ft.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:24 AM
“Applications to the European Research Council (ERC), the EU’s funding organisation for basic research, and the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA), the EU’s initiative for doctoral and postdoctoral research, hit all-time highs in 2025.”
“It’s the combination of great [universities] in the UK and Europe, a good regulatory framework, and tradition,” Raffaele Savi, global head of BlackRock’s quantitative investing teams
London becomes ‘quant’ powerhouse as traders rake in revenues on.ft.com/4okApRe
London becomes ‘quant’ powerhouse as traders rake in revenues
A pipeline of skilled graduates is helping the UK build out its expertise in algorithmic trading
on.ft.com
November 2, 2025 at 2:02 PM
“It’s the combination of great [universities] in the UK and Europe, a good regulatory framework, and tradition,” Raffaele Savi, global head of BlackRock’s quantitative investing teams
This could go sideways...The US Commerce Department Moves to Take Cut of Research Patents www.aip.org/fyi/commerce...
Commerce Moves to Take Cut of Research Patents
The agency has opened the possibility in a recent funding announcement and threatened to take control of Harvard’s patents.
www.aip.org
October 21, 2025 at 11:26 PM
This could go sideways...The US Commerce Department Moves to Take Cut of Research Patents www.aip.org/fyi/commerce...
Reposted by Kris Olds
CDC IRB. Gone.
"Staff with the CDC’s institutional review board, which reviews the design of studies, and the ethics office, which oversees all conflicts and interests for CDC leaders and advisory committee members, were also let go."
"Staff with the CDC’s institutional review board, which reviews the design of studies, and the ethics office, which oversees all conflicts and interests for CDC leaders and advisory committee members, were also let go."
The entire HR department at the CDC is gone. Everyone at the IRB, which makes sure studies are conducted ethically and rigorously, and the ethics office, which oversee conflicts of interest for CDC leaders and advisory committee members, were also let go.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
‘Instability and confusion’ as CDC slashes 1,300 jobs before reinstating half
Trump administration says 700 notices were sent in error, while top CDC officer says ‘they didn’t think through what they were doing’
www.theguardian.com
October 17, 2025 at 12:13 AM
CDC IRB. Gone.
"Staff with the CDC’s institutional review board, which reviews the design of studies, and the ethics office, which oversees all conflicts and interests for CDC leaders and advisory committee members, were also let go."
"Staff with the CDC’s institutional review board, which reviews the design of studies, and the ethics office, which oversees all conflicts and interests for CDC leaders and advisory committee members, were also let go."
Harvard suffers $113mn loss after Trump’s cuts to research funding www.ft.com/content/1b3c... via @financialtimes.com
Harvard suffers $113mn loss after Trump’s cuts to research funding
University’s losses are the largest since 2011 and have forced lay-offs and freezes on hiring and salary increases
www.ft.com
October 17, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Harvard suffers $113mn loss after Trump’s cuts to research funding www.ft.com/content/1b3c... via @financialtimes.com
Reposted by Kris Olds
After getting zero firm commitments to this point from the first nine invitees, the Trump administration is extending its proposed compact to all colleges. Expect some red-state publics to say yes.
Trump Offers All Colleges Preferential Funding Plan Rejected by MIT
The Trump administration is inviting all US colleges to participate in a compact — initially rejected by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology — that would grant preferential federal funding in re...
www.bloomberg.com
October 13, 2025 at 10:17 PM
After getting zero firm commitments to this point from the first nine invitees, the Trump administration is extending its proposed compact to all colleges. Expect some red-state publics to say yes.
Reposted by Kris Olds
ACLS has released a statement regarding the White House “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education”: bit.ly/3IviMig
October 6, 2025 at 4:48 PM
ACLS has released a statement regarding the White House “Compact for Academic Excellence in Higher Education”: bit.ly/3IviMig
The Ontario Teacher’s Pension Plan certainly does get around...
www.oxfordnorth.com/news-events/...
www.oxfordnorth.com/news-events/...
October 1, 2025 at 12:48 PM
The Ontario Teacher’s Pension Plan certainly does get around...
www.oxfordnorth.com/news-events/...
www.oxfordnorth.com/news-events/...
"The University of Chicago, renowned for producing world-leading research in economics and finance, is selling a prized research centre as it struggles with heavy debt and lacklustre endowment returns" www.ft.com/content/4501... via @financialtimes.com
UChicago sells prized institute amid high debt and low returns
Endowment of famed finance school posted weak investment gains as it borrowed heavily to invest in research capacity
www.ft.com
September 29, 2025 at 4:35 PM
"The University of Chicago, renowned for producing world-leading research in economics and finance, is selling a prized research centre as it struggles with heavy debt and lacklustre endowment returns" www.ft.com/content/4501... via @financialtimes.com
As Trump Tries to Limit Foreign Workers, China Woos Them. A new visa for science and engineering graduates is part of China’s effort to establish itself as the world leader in science and technology. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/26/w...
As Trump Tightens Visas, China Woos World’s Science Graduates
www.nytimes.com
September 26, 2025 at 1:48 PM
As Trump Tries to Limit Foreign Workers, China Woos Them. A new visa for science and engineering graduates is part of China’s effort to establish itself as the world leader in science and technology. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/26/w...
Austria hails 'brain gain' in luring 25 academics away from US after cuts www.reuters.com/world/austri...
Austria hails 'brain gain' in luring 25 academics away from US after cuts
Austria has lured what it calls 25 "top researchers" away from U.S. institutions including Harvard, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Princeton with grants set up in response to the Trump administration's funding cuts targeting universities.
www.reuters.com
September 26, 2025 at 12:21 AM
Austria hails 'brain gain' in luring 25 academics away from US after cuts www.reuters.com/world/austri...
Vanderbilt Eyes National Expansion
The university plans to build a campus in Florida, has leased a site in New York City and aims to establish a foothold in California in its quest to grow beyond Nashville.
www.insidehighered.com/news/busines...
The university plans to build a campus in Florida, has leased a site in New York City and aims to establish a foothold in California in its quest to grow beyond Nashville.
www.insidehighered.com/news/busines...
Vanderbilt Eyes National Expansion
The university plans to build a campus in Florida, has leased a site in New York City and aims to establish a foothold in California in its quest to grow beyond Nashville.
www.insidehighered.com
September 25, 2025 at 1:40 PM
Vanderbilt Eyes National Expansion
The university plans to build a campus in Florida, has leased a site in New York City and aims to establish a foothold in California in its quest to grow beyond Nashville.
www.insidehighered.com/news/busines...
The university plans to build a campus in Florida, has leased a site in New York City and aims to establish a foothold in California in its quest to grow beyond Nashville.
www.insidehighered.com/news/busines...
UChicago Reducing, Freezing Ph.D. Admissions for Multiple Humanities [& Public Policy] Programs www.insidehighered.com/news/busines...
UChicago Freezing Ph.D. Admissions for Multiple Programs
The indebted institution tasked committees of faculty and staff with planning for changes. But this week, a dean forged ahead and announced broad cuts. Two other units are also pausing admissions.
www.insidehighered.com
August 15, 2025 at 7:25 AM
UChicago Reducing, Freezing Ph.D. Admissions for Multiple Humanities [& Public Policy] Programs www.insidehighered.com/news/busines...
National self-harm viewed via one prominent US university: www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
ASU Projects 18% Drop in International Student Enrollment
Arizona State University typically welcomes over 17,900 international students to its four campuses each year, but this fall, due to a variety of complications, the university expects only 14,600 inte...
www.insidehighered.com
August 13, 2025 at 7:25 AM
National self-harm viewed via one prominent US university: www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
The Harvard-Trained Lawyer Behind Trump’s Fight Against Top Universities www.nytimes.com/2025/08/11/u...
The Harvard-Trained Lawyer Behind Trump’s Fight Against Top Universities
www.nytimes.com
August 11, 2025 at 9:50 PM
The Harvard-Trained Lawyer Behind Trump’s Fight Against Top Universities www.nytimes.com/2025/08/11/u...
Reposted by Kris Olds
The Commerce Department threatening to take over Harvard's patents shows the extent to which the federal government is trying to pressure the university into a settlement. They are trying everything possible. (gift link)
Trump Administration Threatens to Take Over Harvard’s Patents
The move is the latest escalation in the White House’s battle with the Ivy League school.
www.wsj.com
August 8, 2025 at 10:25 PM
The Commerce Department threatening to take over Harvard's patents shows the extent to which the federal government is trying to pressure the university into a settlement. They are trying everything possible. (gift link)