Universities across the United States opened the 2025-26 academic year on Monday, with tens of thousands of students returning to campuses and first-year move-in under way. The University of Arizona, the University of Nevada Las Vegas and other institutions reported strong attendance, while governors and local officials marked the occasion with public greetings. At the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, thousands of first-year students began moving into residence halls even as 1,400 unionized dining and maintenance workers consider a “last, best and final” wage offer from the university. Management has proposed pay increases of 3 % in the first year and 2 % in the second; the union is seeking 3.5 % in each year. A vote on the proposal is expected later this week, and a strike could coincide with the formal start of classes if the offer is rejected. In Nevada, the College of Southern Nevada welcomed students under its new president, Dr. Stacy Klippenstein, whose first semester follows a $300,000 appropriation approved by state lawmakers for a long-planned northwest valley campus. Enrollment at CSN is up, and administrators highlighted several new academic programs. Nearby, UNLV opened its fall term to more than 33,000 students. The University of Arizona launched an enrollment strategy aimed at boosting student success through research placements, internships and study-abroad options, the first full academic year under President Saresh Garimella. Education officials nationwide said the initiatives underscore a broader push to align campus offerings with workforce needs as the new semester gets under way.