Why Federal Ratings Might Not Do Anything

This is another comment on. Why Federal College Ratings Won’t Rein In Tuition – NYTimes.com. (The first comment is here.) “Colleges have ashown themselves adept at “solving for the winning solution”(as in “need fewer transfers to get a higher US News ranking?”, just add to dorms, subract from educational requirements, problem solved). Of course, no […]

High Tuition is a Gigantic Problem – But It Isn’t “The Problem”

Why Federal College Ratings Won’t Rein In Tuition – NYTimes.com. I made the following comment. A federal system of transparency and accountability is critical. But cost is not the most important reason. As the author notes, “..Economic theory predicts… INFORMED [my emphasis] consumers will choose the cheapest option that meets their needs…” Almost by definition, […]

A Wonderful Program For Students

‘A National Admissions Office’ for Low-Income Strivers – NYTimes.com. Though it appears to be a great program started by a caring couple, I did comment as follows, “I taught at both a regional state school and one of the country’s most selective schools. The difference was like night and day and this program is a […]

Washington U. in St. Louis is a Standout on NY Times Graph – See Why

Look at this article for the graph. Making Top Colleges Less Aristocratic and More Meritocratic – NYTimes.com. What is interesting is how Wash. U. brags that they do the opposite of what the graph shows.  Look here for what I mean by that. I posted this comment on the Times article.  (Someone didn’t agree what I wrote and […]

New York Times Brooks, Bruni and Friedman Miss the Key Problem

In today’s NY Times, there is a third opinion – in as many days – about higher education.  This one is by Thomas Friedman, It Takes a Mentor – NYTimes.com. The others are by David Brooks and Frank Bruni (See here.).  Though they contain what would be good suggestions, if only colleges were all well meaning institutions, […]

Another Comment on David Brooks “Becoming a Real Person”

Becoming a Real Person – NYTimes.com. “For the life of me, I cannot fathom why David Brooks and Frank Bruni (See his piece from yesterday.) are discussing what college should be, what colleges should do, etc. , when, overall, colleges (elite or not) have become corrupt institutions. As well meaning as Brooks and Bruni may […]

The Real Purpose of a University – It Needs to be Changed

In today’s New York Times, David Brooks writes in his op-ed, Becoming a Real Person – NYTimes.com , that “…We have before us then, three distinct purposes for a university…”. No, there is just one – Self Aggrandizement. Here is what I wrote. “I taught at an “elite” university (Washington U. in St. Louis) and I have […]

For Frank Bruni: First Demand That They Have Integrity, The Rest of Your Good Ideas Will Follow

Demanding More From College – NYTimes.com. I think that this opinion is important for the misunderstanding it exhibits.  I believe that this misunderstanding is based on a misplaced belief that college couldn’t really be so corrupt.  But it is. By searching under “Bruni” on this blog you will find more on Mr. Bruni’s beliefs.  I […]

Notre Dame Is Rocked by Charges of Academic Cheating – Only the Tip of The Iceberg, and, Not Just Notre Dame

Notre Dame Is Rocked by Charges of Academic Cheating – NYTimes.com. I put my view in a comment:   Critics are only partly right when they “…contend that [college sports officials] are unable to run sports as a big business while maintaining academic integrity…” (from the article, 5th paragraph down) The reality is that colleges, […]