The SCiLL I Know
The School of Civic Life and Leadership (SCiLL). At UNC, students hear this name in one of a few ways. One is “eww, that uber-conservative program that’s a waste of…
When Academics Deny Reality
You’ve no doubt heard the expression, “That’s an idea so ridiculous only an academic could believe it.” It kept coming to mind as I read Professor John Staddon’s new book…
Universities Must Police Foreign Influence
On June 5, the Qatar Foundation International (QFI) announced that, after almost two decades of pursuing its stated mission of advancing Arabic language and cultural education, it would begin winding…
The Future of Race-Based Scholarships in Higher Education
It’s now been three years since the United States Supreme Court declared that race may never be used as a “negative” or operate as a “stereotype” in higher education. While…
What A $1 Million NIL Actually Pays After Taxes
A $1 million NIL deal sounds like a million dollars. Then the tax bill shows up, and suddenly it’s a lot less than a million dollars. As many athletes have…
The False Choice between the Liberal Arts and Vocational Training
Anybody who still believes in the liberal arts believes that higher education exists for a higher purpose than putting graduates in jobs. At the same time, even the truest believer…
Lost in the Bureaucracy
There is a particular kind of confusion almost every student has experienced on a college campus. You need help with something: financial aid, advising, housing, a form, or a deadline.…
The New Feudalism
In 2009, an anonymous university support staff member wrote to C.K. Gunsalus—a prominent academic who specializes in the study of higher education administration—looking for advice and, frankly, a little bit…
Bans on “Divisive Concepts” Risk Stifling Speech
The growing (though not unanimous) acknowledgement that academia has lost public trust may be increasingly uncontroversial. But identifying remedies to repair that broken trust is proving to be much more…
Suicide on Sociology Row
No state matches Florida in higher education reform. Its landmark Senate Bill 266, passed during the 2023 legislative session, abolished DEI offices. It also requires general education reform in state…