Governance

University boards have the primary responsibility for ensuring fidelity to the institution’s mission, managing university finances, and setting personnel policies. The following articles expose poor governance practices and identify policies that keep boards accountable to the taxpayers, students, parents, alumni, and donors whom they serve.

Changes (and rumors of changes) to racial preferences nationwide

Dec 7, 2001 · Martin Center Staff

The face of racial preferences, under the misnomer “affirmative action,” is changing in several places nationwide.

N.C. State panelists suggest oil and racism are what really motivate the U.S. war on terrorism

Nov 15, 2001 · Hans Hurd

The U.S. war on terrorism was roundly decried Tuesday by the speakers at a North Carolina State University roundtable discussion on the war. The discussion was sponsored by the N.C. State Women’s Center, the Academic Study of Religion Club and Engineers Without Borders.

The trouble with teacher training

Jun 15, 2001 · George Leef

Among the successful attacks on President Bush’s education bill, already mauled by the education establishment and its pack of congressional Dobermans, is a provision to dump more federal money into training “certified” teachers. I suggest that a large part of the explanation for the poor student performance, however, is the fact that our teacher-education programs are often worse than useless.

N.C. School Mascots May Violate Federal Law

Apr 26, 2001 · Martin Center Staff

The mascots of two North Carolina colleges may violate federal antidiscrimination laws, under the wording of a statement released in April by the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights.

Accreditation has no clothes

Jan 15, 2001 · George Leef

Accreditation is one of those “the emperor is wearing no clothes” phenomena overloading our educational system.

New Report on Higher Ed Unduly Praises, Criticizes UNC

· George Leef

The report “Measuring Up 2000” makes North Carolina look good in some respects and bad in others. But before rushing to praise state policymakers where the grades are high or criticize them where the grades are low, we need to examine several questionable assumptions that undermine the validity of those grades.

Expanding Education Savings Accounts Would Help Poor, Middle Class

Mar 9, 2000 · Martin Center Staff

Increasing the amount of tax-free investment that parents contribute to education saving accounts (ESAs) would benefit middle and low- income families, according to Joe Barnett, a policy analyst with the National Center for Policy Analysis.

Senate Proposes Limiting Credit Cards for “Underage” Students

Aug 5, 1999 · Martin Center Staff

For most young adults, reaching the age of 21 is the final step into adulthood. At that age, they are allowed to purchase alcohol, having already been granted the privileges of working, driving, voting, smoking and enlisting in the military. Legislation before the U.S. Senate would add another “privilege” to reaching the age of 21: being able to receive a credit card.

‘If You Were Governor, What Would You Do?’

Jul 22, 1999 · Martin Center Staff

“The pathway to success is to keep the doors of our colleges and universities open to all, and to open them even wider,” North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt said in a recent editorial to The Chronicle of Higher Education, a national magazine that examines news and issues concerning colleges and universities nationwide. Hunt’s editorial appeared in the “Opinion & Arts” section of the July 16, 1999 edition of The Chronicle.

House Budget Poses Gains for Higher Education

Jun 2, 1999 · Martin Center Staff

This year’s House budget proposal of $13 billion includes tremendous gains for higher education, including millions more for community colleges. The full House is expected to vote on the budget this week.