Advocate Online:
Digital Immigrants

Has the digital age left the nation’s professoriate in the dust? Our students, writes the author of this issue’sThriving in Academe, have grown up in a digital world. The language of computers, video games, and the Internet is their first language. Most professors are trying to pick up this second language on the run. Will we be forever out of touch? Don’t despair! Lighten up! Help is on the way!

2008 Annual Higher Ed Conference
Washington, D.C.

"Building Alliances for Higher Education and the Public Good" was the theme of NEA's annual Higher Education Conference. Our Friday keynote speaker was John Podesta, President and CEO of the Center for American Progress and former Chief of Staff for President Clinton, and Charles Ogletree, noted author and Professor of Law at Harvard University, addressed us at the Saturday luncheon. View the Conference Agenda here (PDF)

Academic Freedom and Higher Education Employees

The latest Research Center Update focuses on academic freedom challenges facing higher education faculty and academic professionals. State legislatures have considered a series of measures that would seriously impair academic freedom. Read this research brief for more information about NEA policy on academic freedom, Supreme Court cases, model contract language, and state legislative threats.

New NEA Report

The report, "The NEA and Contingent Academic Workers in Higher Education: NBI 2004-60 Action Plan" ( 217k, 46 pp) is a comprehensive plan of action developed "to secure for contingent academic workers throughout public higher education the rights, benefits and protections that full-time tenure track workers currently enjoy." The elements of the plan include recommendations for research, organizing, political advocacy, collective bargaining, leadership development and capacity building, and communications. For more information, contact highered@nea.org or call 202-822-7162.

Easing Burden of Student Debt

NEA welcomes recent congressional action to address the increasing problems of student debt in legislation to reauthorize the Higher Education Act. The House passed H.R. 2669, the College Cost Reduction Act of 2007. The Senate passed S. 1762, the Higher Education Access Act of 2007, and S. 1642, the Higher Education Amendments of 2007. Follow the action to reauthorize the Higher Education Act and read the letters addressing NEA's concerns. Join the action and read more about the campaign for college affordability on NEA's Student Program Web site.

Joint Priorities for Higher Education Act Reauthorization

Affordability and access to higher education has been the core goal of the Higher Education Act (HEA) since its inception in 1965. The American Federation of Teacher (AFT) and the National Education Association's joint statement of the priorities for the reauthorization HEA makes recommendations that focus on the original goal of HEA — to increase access and make college affordable to students regardless of their financial circumstances. Join the collective voice on AFT and NEA faculty and education professionals on campus across the nation by telling your congressional representative to support our priorities and reauthorize HEA.

Our Voice on the Future of Higher Education

NEA leaders attended five regional summits held by the Department of Education to discuss their action plan for higher education. Read about our actions in the discussion on the future of higher education.

Future of Higher Education CD-ROM

Long before the Department of Education set up the Spellings Commission on the future of higher education, NEA developed a interactive CD-ROM to address important issues of quality, affordability, and access. Review highlights of our scenarios of the future. You are invited to request a complimentary copy of our Future of Higher Education CD-ROM.

Free Exchange Legislation Tracker

Stay informed about legislation in your state that affects academic freedom and intellectual diversity. Check out legislation tracker on the Free Exchange on Campus web site. A quick scan of this table reveals largely unsuccessful campaigns to pass legislation in 2005-06.