A Tale of Four University Presidents

[driver]

<p>Interesting read.

More importantly, we have lost sight of what university presidents are supposed to be. Their first allegiance ought to be to honesty and truth, not campus orthodoxy masquerading as intellectual bravery amid a supposedly reactionary society. In a world of intellectual integrity, Robert Birgeneau would ask, “Why are Asians excelling, and what can Berkeley do to encourage emulation of their success by other ethnic groups?” Denice Denton might wonder whether open hiring, monitored by affirmative action officers, applies to university staff or only those who are not associates of the president. President Hoffman would decry Ward Churchill’s crass behavior and order a complete review of affirmative action and the politicized nature of hiring, retention, and tenure practices at Colorado. And Larry Summers? In the old world of the campus, he would defend free inquiry and expression, and remind faculty that all questions are up for discussion at Harvard. And if self-appointed censors wished to fire him for that, then he would dare them to go ahead and try.</p>

<p>The signs of erosion on our campuses are undeniable, whether we examine declining test scores, spiraling costs, or college graduates’ ignorance of basic facts and ideas. In response, our academic leadership is not talking about a more competitive curriculum, higher standards of academic accomplishment, or the critical need freely to debate important issues. Instead, it remains obsessed with a racial, ideological, and sexual spoils system called “diversity.” Even as the airline industry was deregulated in the 1970s, and Wall Street now has come under long-overdue scrutiny, it is time for Americans, if we are to ensure our privileged future, to re-examine our era’s politicized university.

</p>

<p><a href=“http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110007319[/url]”>http://www.opinionjournal.com/extra/?id=110007319&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

[GracieLegend]

<p>An excellent article that succinctly addresses many of the problems plaguing academia today. Fortunately, I attend one of the few universities where the administration strives for diversity of ideas, not diversity in race and gender.</p>

[Woodwork]

<p>Fantastic article!</p>

<p>It would be interesting to hear some reactions to it from those holding different ideological points of view.</p>

[wyogal]

<p>Driver, you beat me to it! just call me ‘wasgonna’ hee hee</p>

[citygirlsmom]

<p>if I read the article correctly, it implies that the sad state of colleges is because non-white, non male people are on campus. That it was better in the old days when it was a bastion of white, male, upperclass students. </p>

<p>Too bad we are letting all the riffraff into schools…that is just horrid…we should only have the extremely good test takers, do what was necessary for so many in the past-join the military, segregate the schools so students don’t have to deal with those that are not worthy</p>

<p>that is the answer</p>

<p>spoils system?: lets talk about legacy, athletes, and development, interesting how he totally avoids discussion of those people- </p>

<p>but then that wouldn’t fit his premise that affirmative action, equal rights, are the problem</p>

[Eagle79]

<p>Excellent article. </p>

<p>CGM, I do not think that the article is advocating going backwards to an environment that segregated people. I certainly hope those days are gone. However, we do not want to replace it with something that is based upon criterea that is difficult to determine.</p>

<p>I believe that the article is advocating for consistency of outcome based upon objective criterea. The things you cite, legacy and development are certain to be questioned and should be. </p>

<p>However, the athlete question is one of EC merit that could or should be accomodated if other aspects of an application are in order. For an example of how this could be done I would look to the Ivy League’s use of the Academic Index for thier recruited athletes. Additionally, the NCAA has instituted new graduation requirements on athletes that I hope will benefit those schools that emphasize their academics for their athletes.</p>

[Woodwork]

<p>“if I read the article correctly”</p>

<p>[…a compelling premise…]</p>

<p>“but then that wouldn’t fit his premise”</p>

<p>[…there’s the rub…]</p>

[GracieLegend]

<p>

If I read the article correctly…

</p>

<p>No, you haven’t.</p>