As DC digs out under several feet of snow, here’s a selection of articles the federal relations team has been enjoying.
Importing Bias – Researchers at Baylor University set out to determine whether stereotypes of these minority groups are commonly believed by white freshmen and found their suspicions confirmed. Read more in The Atlantic. 
Waiving to Title IX – The government t would create a searchable database that reveals the names of colleges and universities that have received exemptions on religious grounds from federal civil rights protections. Read more in The New York Times.
Big Bully? – An op-ed questions whether the Department of Ed is using Title IX to exceed its legal authority and to bully universities. Read the Op-ed in The Wall Street Journal.
Moody’s Mood on Higher Ed – Several new ratings reports from Moody’s Investor Service were released this week as a glance into the state of higher education, including law schools are suffering and colleges need to diversify. Read more in The Washington Post.
Challenger – Thirty years ago, on January 28, 1986, the US space shuttle Challenger exploded mid-flight. The launch was seen across the country in schools as NASA promoted the flight included New Hampshire teacher, Christa McAuliffe, who applied and was selected to be the first teacher in space. That same day President Reagan was scheduled to give the annual State of the Union Address. That was postponed, and instead, he gave a speech a short speech, written by then unknown Peggy Noonan, to help the nation, and particularly school children, begin to mourn the tragedy. Read more in The Washington Post.
Not Exactly Jessie Owens – Scientist recently discovered a rare set of tyrannosaur footprints, which is giving researchers insight into the walking speed of the prehistoric beasts. According to the new estimate, Tyrannosaurus rex may have ambled as quickly as 8 kilometers per hour (5 miles per hour), slower than a plodding amateur marathon runner or even a middle-aged power walker. Read more in Science.
You Scream, I Scream, Bernie Gets An Ice Cream – Ben and Jerry’s, the gourmet ice cream maker based in Vermont, created a new flavor for New Hampshire Senator Bernie Sander called, “Bernie’s Yearning”. It’s tag line is “Nothing is so unstoppable as a flavor who’s time has come.” Read more in The Hill.