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Reforms We’re Cheering For in 2023

Jan 2, 2023 · Martin Center Staff · Comments Off on Reforms We’re Cheering For in 2023

Each January, the staff of the Martin Center share our higher-ed-reform dreams for the coming year. Will all of our wishes come true? Probably not. Nevertheless, we offer them here … Continue reading “Reforms We’re Cheering For in 2023”


For Intercollegiate Sports, When is Enough Enough? 

Nov 10, 2021 · Laurence Peterson · Comments Off on For Intercollegiate Sports, When is Enough Enough? 

Intercollegiate sports, particularly football and basketball, have ever so slowly, over the years, inserted themselves insidiously into the fabric of most universities with the support of alumni, the business community, … Continue reading “For Intercollegiate Sports, When is Enough Enough? “


Recalling the Great UNC Sports Scandal—How Much has Really Changed?

Sep 6, 2021 · George Leef · Comments Off on Recalling the Great UNC Sports Scandal—How Much has Really Changed?

A decade ago, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill was engulfed in a sports scandal that made national headlines, brought down a chancellor who seemed destined for a … Continue reading “Recalling the Great UNC Sports Scandal—How Much has Really Changed?”


The Sea Changes at the NCAA

Jul 23, 2021 · William L. Anderson · Comments Off on The Sea Changes at the NCAA

Fifty years ago, I entered the University of Tennessee-Knoxville as a freshman scholarship runner on its high-profile track team. The NCAA held athletes to a strict amateur code in which … Continue reading “The Sea Changes at the NCAA”


The Edifice Complex Has Come for Esports

Jun 28, 2021 · Anthony Hennen · Comments Off on The Edifice Complex Has Come for Esports

Collegiate esports—competitive video gaming—has grown dramatically in recent years. Small private colleges and large state universities alike have built programs to attract students, grow name recognition, and pull in sponsorships. … Continue reading “The Edifice Complex Has Come for Esports”


Drake Group President: Congress Must Protect Student-Athletes’ Rights

Jan 11, 2021 · Shannon Watkins · Comments Off on Drake Group President: Congress Must Protect Student-Athletes’ Rights

The fight to protect student-athletes’ rights has been a long uphill battle. The injustices that college athletes suffer at the hands of their academic institutions are many, including a shameless … Continue reading “Drake Group President: Congress Must Protect Student-Athletes’ Rights”


Is College Football an Expensive Luxury for Many Universities?

Sep 25, 2020 · Laurence Peterson · Comments Off on Is College Football an Expensive Luxury for Many Universities?

The importance of college football to university education is vastly overrated. Rather than an integral part of the college experience, football means more student debt, another burden for taxpayers, and … Continue reading “Is College Football an Expensive Luxury for Many Universities?”


How College Sports Can Survive

Jun 17, 2020 · B. David Ridpath · Comments Off on How College Sports Can Survive

Without revenue from the NCAA Final Four tournament and other sources of income, it is clear that the intercollegiate athletics industry faces difficult choices from the consequences of the coronavirus. … Continue reading “How College Sports Can Survive”


A Conversation with the Chancellor of UNC-Chapel Hill

Mar 30, 2020 · Shannon Watkins · Comments Off on A Conversation with the Chancellor of UNC-Chapel Hill

On December 13th, 2019, Dr. Kevin Guskiewicz became the 12th chancellor of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Prior to his appointment, he had been serving as interim … Continue reading “A Conversation with the Chancellor of UNC-Chapel Hill”


How College Sports Turned into a Corrupt Mega-Business

Mar 11, 2020 · George Leef · Comments Off on How College Sports Turned into a Corrupt Mega-Business

College sports are a gigantic entertainment business that have nothing to do with the missions of the schools. Frequently, the highest-paid employee of a school is the football or basketball … Continue reading “How College Sports Turned into a Corrupt Mega-Business”

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More in Academics

  • How a Private College Mandated Civics Instruction Mar 22, 2023

    In the fall of 2020, Cairn University in southeastern Pennsylvania implemented a revised core curriculum that introduced, among other things, a new required course in civics and government. Reactions to … Continue reading “How a Private College Mandated Civics Instruction”

  • The Media Take On the UNC Board Mar 20, 2023

    When news broke that UNC-Chapel Hill had plans to create a new School of Civic Life and Leadership, it was inevitable that there would be some confusion. But nearly two … Continue reading “The Media Take On the UNC Board”

  • ROTC and the Ivies Mar 17, 2023

    Ivy League universities have a distinguished history of their students serving the country in the armed forces. Yale can claim Captain Nathan Hale, class of 1773, executed by the British … Continue reading “ROTC and the Ivies”

More in Athletics

  • Reforms We’re Cheering For in 2023 Jan 2, 2023

    Each January, the staff of the Martin Center share our higher-ed-reform dreams for the coming year. Will all of our wishes come true? Probably not. Nevertheless, we offer them here … Continue reading “Reforms We’re Cheering For in 2023”

  • The NCAA’s Own Goal Dec 5, 2022

    This coming January, the NCAA will convene in Texas to decide the future of standardized testing requirements for student-athletes. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the NCAA and universities … Continue reading “The NCAA’s Own Goal”

  • Colleges: Go Back to Basics Oct 26, 2022

    Colleges perform two vital functions: They disseminate to the people (especially their own students) the knowledge and wisdom acquired through time in ways that enhance the common good, and they also … Continue reading “Colleges: Go Back to Basics”

More in Commentary

  • North Carolina Strikes a Blow Against Credentialism Mar 23, 2023

    Last week, following an executive order by Gov. Roy Cooper, North Carolina joined a growing movement to pull down unnecessary barriers to public employment. Bearing the modest title “Recognizing the … Continue reading “North Carolina Strikes a Blow Against Credentialism”

  • The Media Take On the UNC Board Mar 20, 2023

    When news broke that UNC-Chapel Hill had plans to create a new School of Civic Life and Leadership, it was inevitable that there would be some confusion. But nearly two … Continue reading “The Media Take On the UNC Board”

  • ROTC and the Ivies Mar 17, 2023

    Ivy League universities have a distinguished history of their students serving the country in the armed forces. Yale can claim Captain Nathan Hale, class of 1773, executed by the British … Continue reading “ROTC and the Ivies”

More in Costs

  • How to Make Study-Abroad Programs Better Mar 13, 2023

    Studying abroad presents students with opportunities to earn course credit, gain exposure to different languages and cultures, and engage with students and faculty of different backgrounds. Improving the University of … Continue reading “How to Make Study-Abroad Programs Better”

  • Against Campus Food-Insecurity Surveys Mar 9, 2023

    Food insecurity has been put forward as an obstacle for many students in higher education. During the pandemic, the federal government responded to this issue and other hunger-related problems with … Continue reading “Against Campus Food-Insecurity Surveys”

  • The Supreme Court Hears Arguments in the Challenge to Biden’s Student-Loan Giveaway Mar 3, 2023

    Last year, President Biden announced that he would cancel student-loan debts of up to $20,000 for millions of borrowers. While that policy had been under discussion since the first days … Continue reading “The Supreme Court Hears Arguments in the Challenge to Biden’s Student-Loan Giveaway”

More in Governance

  • North Carolina Strikes a Blow Against Credentialism Mar 23, 2023

    Last week, following an executive order by Gov. Roy Cooper, North Carolina joined a growing movement to pull down unnecessary barriers to public employment. Bearing the modest title “Recognizing the … Continue reading “North Carolina Strikes a Blow Against Credentialism”

  • How a Private College Mandated Civics Instruction Mar 22, 2023

    In the fall of 2020, Cairn University in southeastern Pennsylvania implemented a revised core curriculum that introduced, among other things, a new required course in civics and government. Reactions to … Continue reading “How a Private College Mandated Civics Instruction”

  • The Media Take On the UNC Board Mar 20, 2023

    When news broke that UNC-Chapel Hill had plans to create a new School of Civic Life and Leadership, it was inevitable that there would be some confusion. But nearly two … Continue reading “The Media Take On the UNC Board”

More in Innovation

  • North Carolina Strikes a Blow Against Credentialism Mar 23, 2023

    Last week, following an executive order by Gov. Roy Cooper, North Carolina joined a growing movement to pull down unnecessary barriers to public employment. Bearing the modest title “Recognizing the … Continue reading “North Carolina Strikes a Blow Against Credentialism”

  • How a Private College Mandated Civics Instruction Mar 22, 2023

    In the fall of 2020, Cairn University in southeastern Pennsylvania implemented a revised core curriculum that introduced, among other things, a new required course in civics and government. Reactions to … Continue reading “How a Private College Mandated Civics Instruction”

  • Davidson College Affirms Free Speech Mar 16, 2023

    Last week, faculty at Davidson College affirmed their commitment to free expression on campus by approving their own version of the Chicago Principles. It’s a step that the pro-free-speech organization … Continue reading “Davidson College Affirms Free Speech”

More in Politicization

  • How a Private College Mandated Civics Instruction Mar 22, 2023

    In the fall of 2020, Cairn University in southeastern Pennsylvania implemented a revised core curriculum that introduced, among other things, a new required course in civics and government. Reactions to … Continue reading “How a Private College Mandated Civics Instruction”

  • The Media Take On the UNC Board Mar 20, 2023

    When news broke that UNC-Chapel Hill had plans to create a new School of Civic Life and Leadership, it was inevitable that there would be some confusion. But nearly two … Continue reading “The Media Take On the UNC Board”

  • ROTC and the Ivies Mar 17, 2023

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  • North Carolina Strikes a Blow Against Credentialism Mar 23, 2023

    Last week, following an executive order by Gov. Roy Cooper, North Carolina joined a growing movement to pull down unnecessary barriers to public employment. Bearing the modest title “Recognizing the … Continue reading “North Carolina Strikes a Blow Against Credentialism”

  • How a Private College Mandated Civics Instruction Mar 22, 2023

    In the fall of 2020, Cairn University in southeastern Pennsylvania implemented a revised core curriculum that introduced, among other things, a new required course in civics and government. Reactions to … Continue reading “How a Private College Mandated Civics Instruction”

  • The Media Take On the UNC Board Mar 20, 2023

    When news broke that UNC-Chapel Hill had plans to create a new School of Civic Life and Leadership, it was inevitable that there would be some confusion. But nearly two … Continue reading “The Media Take On the UNC Board”

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