Ben Fisher

Excerpt from Rutgers University Senate resolution calling for a Mutual Academic Defense Compact. The excerpt reads: "BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the Rutgers University Senate urges the President of Rutgers University to formally propose and help establish a Mutual Academic Defense Compact (MADC) among all members of the Big Ten Academic Alliance; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, under this compact, all participating institutions shall commit meaningful funding to a shared or distributed defense fund. This fund shall be used to provide immediate and strategic support to any member institution under direct political or legal infringement;"

This exciting resolution from Rutgers University Senate is exactly the kind of model I think higher ed needs: a mutual defense pact of, in this case, Big 10 schools. They call for member institutions to create a joint defense fund and make resources available to any member institution under attack.

Tuberville: "Zelenskyy's gonna play hardball, but you know what? He's not even in the game. It's gonna be Putin and President Trump and the people on our side that will end up making this decision for the future of Ukraine."

Me when they just brought out order #87 and I’m still waiting for my #84

The Ed Dept is launching an “End DEI” portal and asking people to share “concerning practices”

BREAKING: Mexican President Sheinbaum argues that if cartels are deemed terrorist orgs, then the suppliers of weapons—over 74% of which come FROM the U.S.—should ALSO face accountability for enabling terrorism.

As a result, Mexico is expanding its lawsuit targeting U.S gun manufacturers. 🇲🇽

Cameras have appeared outside homes of Atlanta’s ‘Cop City’ activists. Why are they there? Cameras are hidden in unmarked boxes on utility poles in a move residents and advocates call ‘creepy’ and ‘corrosive’

Atlanta police have set up secret surveillance cameras outside of Stop Cop City activists' houses and gathering spots––and they refuse to answer any questions about the cameras
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Wisconsin showing out with the backronyms!

Education Officials Placed on Leave in Trump’s Sprawling Effort to Curb D.E.I. The Education Department told employees of the suspensions in letters on Friday. Some of those put on leave said they had only a minimal connection to diversity or equity efforts.

In the federal government, administrative leaves are supposed to be used for employees accused of wrongdoing, and for a max of 10 days.
They are being used for ideological purges, indefinitely.
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/01/u...

The CDC’s Youth Risk Behavior Survey has monitored the wellbeing of America’s high school students since 1991.

Since 2015, it’s been a vital source of data on LGBQ youth. In 2023, it provided the first ever nationally representative sample of transgender teens.

As of this morning, it’s gone.

Photo of FBI hq

Assuming we make it through the next couple of decades, this will be an incredible image for future historians/students of the Trump era

Thinking of all the brave educators who will continue to stand up for their kids. This is so hateful. So harmful.

This thread will be stories of how people hold the line--continue to behave responsibly and ethically.

This is only the beginning.

Department of Education slowly culling their website of resources for families with disabled kids...

🤚 school security researcher here. We can not spend our way out of this. We can not fortress our way out of this.

Justice Department freezes all cases in civil rights division The directives halt ongoing civil rights cases and could jeopardize police reform agreements finalized in recent months in Minneapolis and Louisville.

Breaking: DOJ freezes all cases in civil rights division. "It’s unprecedented. We’ve never seen this before at this scale with any transfer of power, regardless of the ideology of any incoming president or administration." Story w/ @perrystein.bsky.social www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...

I hope they love coupons for Hot Deals and Events Near You!

NC General Assembly AI-powered school safety pilot program set to launch in coming months %%sep%% %%sitename%% New Hanover and Davidson County Schools were the recipients of $3.2 million and $2 million respectively in funding from the 2023 budget for a school safety pilot program powered by artificial intellig...

The NC General Assembly allocated $5.5 million for two pilots of AI-enabled school surveillance in New Hanover County and Davidson County. The funds can be used for facial recognition tech, license plate readers, video gun detection, among other surveillance.

pro.stateaffairs.com/nc/news/ai-s...

Wisconsin Supreme Court holds that the state’s current legislative maps violate the state constitution’s requirement that all districts be “contiguous.” A 4–3 split, as expected, with Judge Janet Protasiewicz casting the key vote. New maps required for 2024. www.wicourts.gov/sc/opinion/D...

Had one last meeting with the research lab today. Thankful for such a thoughtful, grounded crew that’s willing to challenge and be challenged 🤗🤗🤗