Since their founding, universities and colleges of the United States were the bastions of deep deliberations and debate. College Professors were looked upon as keepers of the flame, provokers of creative thought and dialogue.
That depiction no longer exists. It has faded into the mosaic of egocentric students and faculty who believe their intellect transcends that of all others beyond the confines of the campus. Faculty and administrators have been sedated by the torrent of taxpayer funds laundered through the government bureaucracy called student loans and grants.
Universities have diluted courses to reach out to athletes with a desire to join the NBA or the NFL after a stint as a standout student athlete. Courses are tailored to fit the students who are not sure why the grant was pinned on his jacket or her blouse. Most institutions of higher learning have augmented their administrative staffs to include a host of officials and clerks that complete forms and applications for student aid. Other administrators are out luring high school grads directly and through their doting parents.
The tenure system is a reward for faculty members who have been with the university for many years. These people casually mention that they are ‘tenure tracked’ impressing all within earshot. The real meaning of tenure is that the faculty member can eventually spend more time doing fee-based outside consulting and engage in some research that has little interest outside the researcher’s ego. The tenure tracker usually has a reduced load of lectures and labs during the last few years of employment.
Lawrence Summers who has been a Harvard Professor and has held high government offices was elected President of Harvard in 2000. Summers criticized African American Studies Department head Cornel West for missing three weeks of classes for allegedly working for Bill Bradley’s presidential campaign. He accused West of ‘grade inflation’ and also said that West’s ‘rap’ album was an embarrassment to the university.
At a 2005 Conference on Diversifying the Science & Engineering Workforce sponsored by the National Bureau of Economic Research, Mr. Summers made what many considered sexist remarks. Larry Summers resigned the Harvard Presidency in 2006.
After being invited to speak at Brown University, New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly went to the podium on Tuesday, October 29, 2013 to speak about ‘proactive policing’ aka ‘Stop and Frisk.’ After about a minute, the crowd erupted in jeers and remained raucous, drowning out any possibility of continuing. In spite of efforts to quell the crowd, the auditorium was closed after 27 minutes. In addition to students, other well-rehearsed youth organizations were reported to be involved.
The offer to confer an honorary degree on former Muslim Ayaan Hirsi Ali by Brandeis University was withdrawn when it was determined that some of her past statements were inconsistent with the school’s values. This woman is a heroine who stands up for women’s rights and faces death for apostasy.
Condoleezza Rice, Stanford University Professor, former Secretary of State and accomplished pianist withdrew just a few days ago from making a speech at Rutgers University. Faculty and students protested Rice’s involvement in the Iraq war.
The speaker at this Sunday’s commencement at Smith College was to be Christine Lagarde, managing director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF). She withdrew her name when 500 people signed a petition objecting to IMF policies.
Robert Zoellick, eleventh President of the World Bank from 2007 to 2012 and former Deputy Secretary of State withdrew as Swarthmore College’s commencement speaker when objections arose regarding his assumed role in the Iraq war.
These events reflect the closed minds of many university students, faculty and administrators. It is an even bet that a high percentage of the protesting students and some faculty members don’t even understand the reasons for the objections and protests.
Anne Neal, president of the American Council of Trustees and Alumni says that universities are becoming havens of the closed-minded. While we don’t all march to the same drumbeat, a closed mind leads to the shared agony of serfdom.
– Dick Baynton
