Neetu Arnold, Author at The James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal

The Trouble with Faculty Hiring Booms in a Politicized Time

Apr 30, 2021 · Neetu Arnold · Comments Off

Most businesses and the general public had a brutal year in 2020—perhaps with the notable exceptions of Zoom and toilet paper manufacturers. Universities suffered as well, with enrollment drops and budget cuts forcing them to freeze hiring and salaries, furlough faculty and staff, and restrict spending. Some colleges even went insolvent, with many others on … Continue reading “The Trouble with Faculty Hiring Booms in a Politicized Time”

University Administrators’ Pandemic Power Grab

Nov 27, 2020 · Neetu Arnold · Comments Off

Universities’ profligate spending habits have caught up with them after substantial losses in student enrollments due to COVID-19. As undergraduate enrollment fell by 4.4 percent and students had fewer “on-campus experiences,” universities desperately began laying off employees. Some even have plans to consolidate departments and entire campuses. Those actions spell trouble for the future of … Continue reading “University Administrators’ Pandemic Power Grab”

Are College Exit Exams a Valid Measure of Learning? It’s Complicated Dec 3, 2021
Given the enormity of the public and private investment in US higher education, of course we should evaluate its effectiveness. But, how? It is claimed that over 200 higher education institutions administer the one-size-fits-all Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA). When administered pre-post—that is, near the beginning and then again near the end of a student’s program—the … Continue reading “Are College Exit Exams a Valid Measure of Learning? It’s Complicated”
Are Students Learning the Right Skills? Why Academia Needs to Go Back to the “Basics” Nov 17, 2021
Last year, Forbes published a headline, “Americans rank a Google internship over a Harvard degree.” It seems higher education is quickly losing hold of its value proposition as the best way to prepare for a job or advance in one’s career. And that’s not because of a lack of new advancements or insights. Especially in … Continue reading “Are Students Learning the Right Skills? Why Academia Needs to Go Back to the “Basics””
Did You Know? The Higher Education Profile of North Carolina Business Leaders Nov 4, 2021
Is having a college degree a critical dimension in becoming a business leader for those running North Carolina’s largest corporations? We have analyzed that question as part of a broader study of the relationship between higher education and corporate leadership in the United States, work currently being undertaken for the James G. Martin Center. Specifically, … Continue reading “Did You Know? The Higher Education Profile of North Carolina Business Leaders”

Explaining the High Cost of College Nov 5, 2021
The most striking fact about American colleges and universities over the last fifty years is how rapidly the cost of attending has risen. A good perspective on the college cost explosion is found in a November, 2017 study prepared for the Joint Economic Committee of Congress. It states, “A student working full-time over the summer … Continue reading “Explaining the High Cost of College”
Are North Carolina Colleges and Universities Worth the Price Tag? Oct 18, 2021
Shelling out the time and cash necessary to earn a degree is a sacrifice. For many, the question of “is college worth it?” has a simple answer: “yes.” But for others, the answer may not be so clear. A private liberal arts school may look more glamorous than the neighborhood community college, but it also … Continue reading “Are North Carolina Colleges and Universities Worth the Price Tag? “
How Did We Get Into the Debt Trap? Oct 6, 2021
No one spoke of college students being trapped in debt until rather recently. Prior to the advent of federal student aid programs, college wasn’t expensive, few Americans regarded it as important to their lives, and what borrowing they did for it was through private institutions that were careful not to lend where they perceived too … Continue reading “How Did We Get Into the Debt Trap?”

Did You Know? NC Voters Reject Discrimination and Special Preferences Dec 2, 2021
Discrimination is unpopular with voters. That’s good news. Last month, the John Locke Foundation released new polling data revealing that North Carolina voters would support an amendment to ban discrimination or special treatment in public education, hiring, and contracting. Nearly 70 percent of likely North Carolina voters said they would support an amendment “to prohibit … Continue reading “Did You Know? NC Voters Reject Discrimination and Special Preferences”
Woke Universities are Rousseau’s Children Dec 1, 2021
In early October, Bright Sheng, a professor of music at the University of Michigan, played the 1965 rendition of Shakespeare’s Othello for his undergraduate class. The film starred Laurence Olivier, who was wearing black makeup, as the titular character. Having no concern for context or artistry, the university community revolted, deeming the film (and Sheng … Continue reading “Woke Universities are Rousseau’s Children”
Survey Says: Davidson College Should Mend Its Ways Nov 29, 2021
One of higher education’s most enduring enigmas is the continued support given by relatively traditional donors to their rapidly radicalizing institutions. This deep division between the beliefs of important donors and the actual conduct of school officials has been brought to light in a new report about Davidson College by the American Council of Trustees … Continue reading “Survey Says: Davidson College Should Mend Its Ways”

Are College Exit Exams a Valid Measure of Learning? It’s Complicated Dec 3, 2021
Given the enormity of the public and private investment in US higher education, of course we should evaluate its effectiveness. But, how? It is claimed that over 200 higher education institutions administer the one-size-fits-all Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA). When administered pre-post—that is, near the beginning and then again near the end of a student’s program—the … Continue reading “Are College Exit Exams a Valid Measure of Learning? It’s Complicated”
Did You Know? NC Voters Reject Discrimination and Special Preferences Dec 2, 2021
Discrimination is unpopular with voters. That’s good news. Last month, the John Locke Foundation released new polling data revealing that North Carolina voters would support an amendment to ban discrimination or special treatment in public education, hiring, and contracting. Nearly 70 percent of likely North Carolina voters said they would support an amendment “to prohibit … Continue reading “Did You Know? NC Voters Reject Discrimination and Special Preferences”
Woke Universities are Rousseau’s Children Dec 1, 2021
In early October, Bright Sheng, a professor of music at the University of Michigan, played the 1965 rendition of Shakespeare’s Othello for his undergraduate class. The film starred Laurence Olivier, who was wearing black makeup, as the titular character. Having no concern for context or artistry, the university community revolted, deeming the film (and Sheng … Continue reading “Woke Universities are Rousseau’s Children”