2013 was a year for which much was anticipated in higher-education reform. Would the “bubble” finally burst or go away? Would the Fisher v. Texas (about affirmative action in admissions) and O’Bannon v. NCAA (about student-athletes’ property rights to use of their images) lawsuits finally be settled and force reforms? Would the newly Republican state governments in many states bring in sweeping changes?

At year’s end, we still don’t know the outcomes of many of these questions; there was quite a bit fizzle amidst the anticipated sizzle. However, a lot of small trends and events emerged or continued that could lead to bigger changes in the future. The Pope Center staff picked some of their favorites for the year in the latest Clarion Call.