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Week in Review: #TexasStrong

Ali Lincoln

The stories of heartbreaking loss and heartwarming humanity in the wake of Harvey’s destruction in Texas have really affected me this week. I’ve been on the verge of tears (or fully crying) with more or less every article I read or news clip I see. If you haven’t already, consider helping those impacted by the storm. The New York Times has a list of ways to support Harvey flood victims (and how to avoid scams).

TVP Comms will be closed Friday, 9/1 and Monday, 9/4 for the Labor Day holiday. But before we head out for the long weekend, we’ve got the latest in higher ed news for you right here.

What’s new this week:

Congratulations to Washington Monthly on the release of its 2017 higher education rankings, which have unique and surprising results. Rather than prestige, these increasingly influential rankings consider what colleges are doing for their students and the nation. Coverage of the 2017 rankings included WGBH’s On Campus, USA Today College, Indianapolis Star, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Democrat & Chronicle, KGW-TV Portland, and Inside Indiana Business.

The vertical dance company BANDALOOP is coming to Worcester, Mass. and is slated to perform at College of the Holy Cross—on the side of the Hogan Campus Center!

In a piece for Fortune, Holy Cross Professor Alex Hindman examined the roots of Donald Trump’s hypocrisy.

APM Reports and the Educate podcast released the second of four special documentaries, “Keeping Teachers,” which looks at why black men and teachers in rural areas are in especially short supply. Subscribe to the Educate podcast and look for the final two documentaries to be released over the next two weeks. You can listen to the first documentary here.

The Educate podcast and APM Reports was also the source of this Upworthy post about a 63-year-old Georgetown University freshman whose ancestors were sold by the university—and how Georgetown is repaying its debt to her.

This week on Inside Higher Ed’s Call to Action blog, don’t miss a post on how to keep crisis from becoming your institution’s legacy.

What we’ve been talking about:

Ali shared thoughts on heading back to school in the current political climate and what it means for campuses.

What’s next on our calendars:

Teresa will present a preconference media training at the CASE Annual Conference for Media Relations Professionals on Monday, September 18 in Philadelphia, PA.

Teresa will co-lead the “Developing Presidential Voice: Toolkit for Marketing and Communications” webinar for Academic Impressions on September 22.

Erin will present a session on social media to participants in the NACUBO Fellows Program in Washington, DC, on October 12.

Teresa will lead a crisis communications session and case study review for the Dean’s Section of the American Association of Law Schools in San Diego, CA on January 6, 2018.

What we’re recommending:

Ali Lincoln
I’ve been a longtime battler of the dread—that feeling that creeps in on Sundays and the same feeling that can ruin the last day of vacation. You spend so much time and energy anticipating the end of the weekend or vacation that you sully the last bit of it with your anxiety. It’s silly, really, but it’s so hard to shake off. That is, unless you’re prepared. I loved these tips from the Wall Street Journal on how to own the last day of your vacation, and while not all of them apply to the weekend, you can still employ some to ward off Sunday blues.

Cristal Steuer
Every state has one. A huge fair with the most outrageous, deep-fried food. Ours is the Big E, which I first experienced when I worked at the ABC affiliate in Springfield, Mass. So, you can imagine my excitement when I saw this article about the new crazy foods I will get to try in September. The deep fried cannoli tops my list followed by the loaded Tater tots. And, I always have to save room for my favorite (and the rest of the state’s) the Big E cream puff.

Erin Hennessy
As college and pro football seasons begin in earnest this weekend, I was intrigued by this New York Times piece on the decision ESPN commentator (and former NFL player) Ed Cunningham made to leave his job because of his concerns about the health and safety of players. Cunningham, who has long been critical of coaching decisions he felt put players in harm’s way, says he hopes his decision will advance the conversations around safety—“His desire, though, is not to undermine the game but to help it.”

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