Topic: Academics

Photo by Jerry and Pat Donaho

A Christian College Sues to Protect Its Values Against the Federal Leviathan

May 7, 2021 · · Comments Off on A Christian College Sues to Protect Its Values Against the Federal Leviathan

Under the Constitution, the federal government has no power over education, including arrangements that colleges make for student housing and expectations for their conduct on campus. Furthermore, the First Amendment protects religious institutions’ freedom to speak and operate according to their beliefs. Nevertheless, College of the Ozarks has just filed suit against President Biden and … Continue reading “A Christian College Sues to Protect Its Values Against the Federal Leviathan”

Did You Know? College Enrollments Fall Again

May 6, 2021 · · Comments Off on Did You Know? College Enrollments Fall Again

Student enrollment dipped at the beginning of the pandemic, but the numbers went from bad to worse a year later. As Inside Higher Ed reported, spring undergraduate enrollment fell almost 6 percent compared to last year—with a 11 percent decline among community colleges. Colleges lost younger students between 18 and 20 the most: their enrollment … Continue reading “Did You Know? College Enrollments Fall Again”

The Origins of the Cruel Ritual of Diversity Training

May 5, 2021 · · Comments Off on The Origins of the Cruel Ritual of Diversity Training

Diversity training is now in force at many institutions of higher education. In the typical scenario, students, staff, and faculty submit themselves to the mercies of hectoring lectures and demeaning demonstrations that purport to reveal white privilege and the oppressive conditions faced by “underrepresented populations” in their institutions. Former Smith College staffer Jodi Shaw’s account … Continue reading “The Origins of the Cruel Ritual of Diversity Training”

School of Journalism—or Ministry of Propaganda?

May 3, 2021 · · Comments Off on School of Journalism—or Ministry of Propaganda?

Editor’s note: An earlier version of this article misspelled Ford Worthy’s name. The Martin Center regrets the error. UNC-Chapel Hill’s Hussman School of Journalism and Media recently announced a heralded addition to their faculty. Nikole Hannah-Jones has agreed to accept a Knight Chair in Race and Investigative Journalism in July. According to a press release … Continue reading “School of Journalism—or Ministry of Propaganda?”

The Trouble with Faculty Hiring Booms in a Politicized Time

Apr 30, 2021 · · Comments Off on The Trouble with Faculty Hiring Booms in a Politicized Time

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”

Did You Know? Students Still Struggling with Mental Health

Apr 29, 2021 · · Comments Off on Did You Know? Students Still Struggling with Mental Health

As students’ grades are falling at alarming rates, so too is their mental health. During the pandemic, students have felt as if they have little to no control over their futures as the world around them changes. According to Insider, “US schools are reporting massive increases in failing grades—and experts are questioning whether it’s students … Continue reading “Did You Know? Students Still Struggling with Mental Health”

New Study Analyzes the High Cost of College

Apr 28, 2021 · · Comments Off on New Study Analyzes the High Cost of College

TANSTAAFL. There Ain’t No Such Thing As A Free Lunch. That’s the pithy way that economists convey the idea that there are always costs associated with the goods and services we consume. Some resources, if only our time, had to be expended so we could enjoy them. Despite foolish talk from politicians about giving us … Continue reading “New Study Analyzes the High Cost of College”

Higher Education Takes Aim at ‘Colonialist’ Music

Apr 23, 2021 · · Comments Off on Higher Education Takes Aim at ‘Colonialist’ Music

“Woke” academics have taken to attacking almost everything that’s traditional in our culture. Math and science are denounced for their “whiteness,” and Shakespeare has to be replaced by writers from “marginalized groups.” Now, it’s music that is on the chopping block. As reported in The Post Millennial, “woke” professors at Oxford University are advocating a … Continue reading “Higher Education Takes Aim at ‘Colonialist’ Music”

The Liberal Arts: What We Don’t Know

Apr 21, 2021 · · Comments Off on The Liberal Arts: What We Don’t Know

What is the value of a liberal arts education? At a time when parents are wary of taking on loads of debt to finance their children’s college degrees, it was inevitable that the language of the market would become more pronounced, especially during a pandemic. For my money, the cleverest answer came from a former … Continue reading “The Liberal Arts: What We Don’t Know”

A Chancellor Search Tainted with Suspicion and Shrouded in Secrecy 

Apr 19, 2021 · · Comments Off on A Chancellor Search Tainted with Suspicion and Shrouded in Secrecy 

The recent appointment of Darrell Allison to the chancellorship of Fayetteville State University (FSU) has sparked a controversy. The UNC Board of Governors’ (BOG) announcement elicited immediate pushback from those in the campus community and the story quickly attracted national attention. Allison was a member of the UNC BOG until last September when he abruptly … Continue reading “A Chancellor Search Tainted with Suspicion and Shrouded in Secrecy “