Microaggressions Put Under the Scholarly Microscope
The term “microaggression” was coined in 1970 by Harvard professor Chester Pierce, who declared that “Every Black must recognize the offensive mechanisms used by the collective White society, usually by…
Colleges Are Rejecting Our Common Humanity and the Science That Reveals It
Academics often point out that diversity is good, in part, because it brings different perspectives and experiences to the table. I agree. In fact, this is one reason many argue…
If We Can’t Repeal the Higher Education Act, Let’s Improve It
The United States got along nicely for its first 176 years without any federal legislation on higher education. (A good reason why there was no such legislation is the absence…
Law School Faculties Need More Intellectual Diversity
There is something about judicial nominations that brings out the worst in U.S. Senators. Judging from the academic debate over the nomination of Judge Neil Gorsuch to the Supreme Court,…
How the Academy Is Failing Feminism
Christina Hoff Sommers, also known as YouTube’s “Factual Feminist,” spoke last Wednesday at UNC Chapel Hill. Her talk, titled “The Failures of Feminism,” was sponsored by the UNC College Republicans.…
Colleges Try to Get Rid of Inconvenient Professors
College officials have cultivated a nice image for themselves—scholarly people who care deeply about providing the best possible education for their students. The reality, however, is often very different. They…
Concerns Raised Over NC’s Dual Enrollment Program and Possible Community College Misconduct
Each year, roughly 1.4 million high school students take college courses. This is made possible by dual enrollment programs, which give those students opportunities to earn credits and work toward…
Another Professor Shouted Down—This Time Over Pronouns
Universities in the United States do not have a monopoly on intolerant and disruptive students. Canada has them too, as shown by a recent incident at McMaster University in Hamilton,…
Loyalty Oaths Return with Faculty “Diversity Statements”
One of the worst features of America in the 1940s and 50s was the persistent demand for national loyalty oaths. In those days, people were expected to declare their support…
Wake Forest Faculty Attempt to Undermine Koch-Funded Campus Institute
The Faculty Senate at Wake Forest University made headlines last week when it demanded that the university reject a $3.69 million grant from the Charles Koch Foundation. Such a stance…