Topic: Politicization

Is Our Obsession with College Fueling a Mental Health Crisis?

Aug 2, 2021 · · Comments Off on Is Our Obsession with College Fueling a Mental Health Crisis?

Long before Covid, mental health experts declared a different sort of pandemic—a precipitous decline in mental health on college campuses. One 2019 survey by the American College Health Association found that over the course of a year, 55.9 percent of students reported feeling hopelessness, 65.6 percent reported feeling very lonely, 70.8 percent reported feeling very … Continue reading “Is Our Obsession with College Fueling a Mental Health Crisis?”

Safe Spaces: Balancing Academic Freedom and Wokeness

Jul 28, 2021 · · Comments Off on Safe Spaces: Balancing Academic Freedom and Wokeness

The following is adapted from an address given at a Martin Center luncheon on July 15, 2021. Finally, I come to my main argument: Safe spaces. I want to come out in favor of safe spaces. Not everywhere, or for all purposes, but in general I think there should be a strong presumption in favor … Continue reading “Safe Spaces: Balancing Academic Freedom and Wokeness”

On Boiling Frogs And Forked Tongues: Alumni Fight Back at Davidson

Jul 26, 2021 · · Comments Off on On Boiling Frogs And Forked Tongues: Alumni Fight Back at Davidson

At Davidson College, the frog finally realized that it’s being slowly cooked alive. As the theory goes, if you put a frog into boiling water, it will immediately jump out, but if you put it in lukewarm water and gradually raise the heat, it will not realize what is happening until it’s too late. The … Continue reading “On Boiling Frogs And Forked Tongues: Alumni Fight Back at Davidson”

Did You Know? The Negative Effects of Affirmative Action on Minority Students

Jul 22, 2021 · · Comments Off on Did You Know? The Negative Effects of Affirmative Action on Minority Students

Affirmative action policies aim to increase the representation of minorities in higher education. Some, however, have objected to these policies and argue students should be admitted based on academic merit, not based on race. And evidence suggests that race-based admissions policies negatively affect minority students. In a 2013 article entitled “The Sad Irony of Affirmative … Continue reading “Did You Know? The Negative Effects of Affirmative Action on Minority Students”

Bridge to Discrimination: Decades of Gender Bias in the UNC System

Jul 19, 2021 · · Comments Off on Bridge to Discrimination: Decades of Gender Bias in the UNC System

Although many colleges and universities today claim to be dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion, their policies and practices often violate those principles. Among the most common types of violations are single-sex programs for women and girls, which exclude men and boys. Such violations are pervasive through the University of North Carolina System, as described … Continue reading “Bridge to Discrimination: Decades of Gender Bias in the UNC System”

Did You Know? State Laws Against Critical Race Theory

Jul 15, 2021 · · Comments Off on Did You Know? State Laws Against Critical Race Theory

Florida is now one of several states that have legislated against teaching Critical Race Theory (CRT) in the classroom.  In a new move to tackle CRT in campuses and promote viewpoint diversity, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed three new education bills. The bills, House bills numbers 5 and 233, and Senate bill number 1108, seek … Continue reading “Did You Know? State Laws Against Critical Race Theory”

Sensitivity by Proxy

Jul 14, 2021 · · Comments Off on Sensitivity by Proxy

It is hard to fathom the extent to which American colleges and universities have been taken over by Critical Theory, race-based or not. One good indication is that French and Canadian leaders are warning their citizens about the dangers of importing these ideas from the U.S. In an October speech about the dangers of further … Continue reading “Sensitivity by Proxy”

Why Did a Christian College Fire a Tenured Professor?

Jul 9, 2021 · · Comments Off on Why Did a Christian College Fire a Tenured Professor?

I am a 72 year old Air Force veteran. After 30 years of service, I was ready to retire when I heard about an opening at a small Christian college in Kentucky, I applied for the position of academic vice president and was hired. Berea College was founded in 1855 by an abolitionist; it was … Continue reading “Why Did a Christian College Fire a Tenured Professor?”

College Officials Should be Responsible When They Violate People’s Rights

Jul 7, 2021 · · Comments Off on College Officials Should be Responsible When They Violate People’s Rights

Here is a recurring situation on American college and university campuses—an official acts in a way that violates the constitutional rights of students or faculty members, usually by trampling on the First Amendment. The aggrieved party then sues, naming the institution and the officials who approved the actions as defendants. Those lawsuits often succeed, with … Continue reading “College Officials Should be Responsible When They Violate People’s Rights”

Free Expression at UNC Schools: Freshman Orientation Edition

Jul 5, 2021 · · Comments Off on Free Expression at UNC Schools: Freshman Orientation Edition

About two years ago, I spoke to a class of UNC-Chapel Hill students about free speech: what it is and why it is important. I covered some basic points such as the kinds of speech the First Amendment does and does not protect. I also talked about the importance of respecting dissenting opinions, and how … Continue reading “Free Expression at UNC Schools: Freshman Orientation Edition”