Reader,

Higher education is facing a perfect storm....

Rising costs, AI disruption, and now, direct political intervention into university operations.

This week, we’re breaking down:

🚨 The $5B Funding Battle Over Columbia University

The Trump administration has launched an unprecedented federal funding review into Columbia over its response to campus protests.

If the administration follows through on its threat to cut funding, the impact could redefine the federal-university relationship—with ripple effects for every institution receiving federal dollars.

Meta takeaway?

Universities need to be prepared for direct federal scrutiny, especially on issues of campus governance, free speech, and civil rights enforcement.

​Read the Chronicle breakdown​

💰 The Endowment Tax Hike: Who Really Pays?

A new proposal seeks to increase the endowment tax on elite universities—raising questions about how institutions will adapt.

• Will this lead to higher tuition?
• A shift in financial aid models?
• Or will universities redirect more funding to workforce development and regional economic initiatives to justify their tax-exempt status?

The takeaway?

Institutions should be proactively shaping the narrative on their economic and societal contributions...

Before policymakers dictate the terms.

📢 Read More​

🎙️ Inside the Mind of the powerful Dr. Robbyn Wacker

How do you align institutional strategy with student & workforce needs—and avoid the strategic plan becoming a wish list?

Why AI isn’t just a tool, but a leadership challenge—and what top universities are doing about it.

T he future of higher ed’s business model—how partnerships, revenue diversification, and new education models are shaping what’s next.

The takeaway?

Universities that can translate mission into action—and adapt to rapidly shifting external pressures—will lead the next era of higher ed.

​Listen to the Full Conversation; Clip​

🔎 Final Thought:​
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Higher ed is at a crossroads.

Federal scrutiny, AI adoption, and business model shifts are no longer theoretical—they’re here.

The institutions that embrace data-driven agility and policy foresight will thrive.

The ones that assume business as usual will be in for a rough decade.

📢 Let’s talk about how your institution can stay ahead.

​Schedule a conversation.​

-Mike O’Connor

O'Connor & Associates

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