Author Profile

T. Norman Van Cott

T. Norman Van Cott received his Ph.D. from the University of Washington in 1969. Before joining Ball State University in 1977, he taught at the University of New Mexico (1968-1972) and West Georgia College (1972-1977). He was chairperson of the economics department at Ball State University from 1985 to 1998. His fields of interest revolve around issues in public finance and international economics. His more recent professional publications have appeared in the Journal of Legal Studies, the Independent Review, Econ Journal Watch, Constitutional Political Economy, and Economic Inquiry.

Articles by T. Norman Van Cott

Sep 9, 2016 · James E. McClure and T. Norman Van Cott

How Our University Reacted to an Exposé of its Grade Inflation Problem

In a 2011 Pope Center article entitled “Too Many Rhinestones,” Professors T. Norman Van Cott and the late Clarence Deitsch examined Ball State University’s (BSU) grade inflation problem. After comparing…

Sep 23, 2012 · T. Norman Van Cott

For the Greater Good (of the University)

Ball State University is using eminent domain to expand its boundaries.

Jun 17, 2012 · T. Norman Van Cott

Grade Inflation, A Year Later

Administrators at Ball State have shown indifference in the face of evidence of slipping academic standards.

Feb 20, 2012 · T. Norman Van Cott

Mind the Quality Gap

Greatly different results between an honors section and a regular section raise questions about continually expanding enrollment.

May 3, 2011 · Clarence Deitsch and T. Norman Van Cott

Too Many Rhinestones

Grade inflation has undermined the usefulness of grades.

Mar 9, 2009 · Clarence Deitsch and T. Norman Van Cott

Capped—and Gowned—CEOs

Now, what about that limit on $500,000 salaries at tax-supported institutions?

Nov 30, 2007 · T. Norman Van Cott

Exporting and Importing at the University

T. Norman Van Cott is a professor of economics at Ball State University, Muncie, Indiana.

I’ve been an economics professor at public universities for going on 40 years, the last 30 at Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. In the parlance of economics, this means I’ve been a long-time “exporter” of economics knowledge. Those paying my salary –students, parents, and taxpayers — have been “importers.” Students and parents import voluntarily. Taxpayers less than voluntarily.

Considerable effort goes into these exports. Noble and self-sacrificing on my part? Hardly. Rather, economics exports are a means to an end for me, a self-serving end no less. To wit, my exports enable me to buy — that is, import — things produced by others. An amazing array of things. Things ranging from life-sustaining necessities to frivolous amenities (including leisure activities). Far more of these things, in fact, than I ever could ever obtain were I producing them myself. The bottom line is that I export in order to import.