The college and its two unions have spent nearly a year negotiating pay and benefits, with salary increases remaining the main sticking point. This is the first strike at any of the state’s 17 community colleges.

Colleges are grappling with declining reading and class participation, with some professors citing the growing influence of artificial intelligence. Many instructors are adjusting teaching strategies to encourage deeper engagement with course materials.

Inflation‑adjusted net prices have dropped for virtually all students over the past decade across public and private institutions, a new analysis reveals.