In Focus delivers deeper coverage of the political, cultural, and ideological issues shaping America. Published daily by senior writers and experts, these in-depth pieces go beyond the headlines to give readers the full picture. You can find our full list of In Focus pieces here.

In the days following President Donald Trump‘s return to the White House, college and university presidents nationwide rushed to release statements promising a renewed commitment to openness, inquiry, and institutional neutrality. Administrators who had spent years speaking almost exclusively in the language of “belonging” and “safety” suddenly rediscovered the virtues of debate, pluralism, and the free exchange of ideas. Commentators began speculating about a “vibe shift” in higher education — a cultural turning point, a recognition that the intellectual monoculture of the past two decades had reached its limit.