Higher Ed Counsel & Strategic Solutions

Academic freedom and faculty speech will continue to be prominent issues in fall 2026. Colleges and universities should approach the coming semester with a clear understanding that faculty expression can raise difficult questions not only in classrooms but also in shared governance settings, public commentary, social media use, and campus events. Summer is an important time to assess institutional policies and decision-making frameworks and to consider the following issues:

Summer offers a valuable opportunity for colleges and universities to review their HR policies and employee handbooks before hiring cycles intensify and campus operations become more demanding in the fall. Human resources policies shape how institutions handle recruitment, employee conduct, leave, complaints, performance issues, accommodations, and separations. When those policies are outdated, inconsistent, or poorly communicated, legal risk can spread across departments quickly. A summer review helps institutions identify problem areas before they lead to employee conflict or administrative strain.

Summer is often the most practical time to reduce legal risk on campus. While most students are away and the academic calendar appears quieter, institutional leaders know this is when many of the decisions that shape the upcoming academic year are made. Policies are revised, trainings are scheduled, contracts are renewed, and the fiscal year turns over.