Governance

University boards have the primary responsibility for ensuring fidelity to the institution’s mission, managing university finances, and setting personnel policies. The following articles expose poor governance practices and identify policies that keep boards accountable to the taxpayers, students, parents, alumni, and donors whom they serve.

Jul 12, 2019 · Joshua Silverstein and Robert Steinbuch

Professors Fight to Save Free Speech on Campus and Academic Freedom in Arkansas

In March 2018, the University of Arkansas Board of Trustees adopted new rules that fatally undermine academic freedom. We authored this piece for the Martin Center explaining the damage the…

Jul 11, 2019 · David Waugh

Did You Know? More Than 50 Colleges Have Embraced Free Speech Protections

The Chicago Statement, or the Report of the Committee on Freedom of Expression, is a 2014 statement defining the University of Chicago’s stance on freedom of speech. The statement set…

Jul 10, 2019 · Anthony Hennen

A Much-Needed Satire of College Has Arrived

Inane occurrences on college campuses tend to parachute into national news headlines every week or two. Those glimpses, however, cannot do justice to the reality of the collegiate atmosphere. To…

Jul 8, 2019 · Jay Schalin

UNC-Asheville Should Divest Itself from Irresponsible Political Posturing

The University of North Carolina at Asheville recently announced with great pride its plans to divest part of its endowment from investments based on “fossil fuels” (such as natural gas,…

Jul 5, 2019 · George Leef

Exposing the Moral Flaws in Our Higher Education System

Many if not most professors and higher education leaders enjoy pontificating about their high-minded ideals in contrast with the grubby, self-interested world outside of academia. What few people have done…

Jul 4, 2019 · David Waugh

Did You Know? Students on the Left More Likely to Disinvite Speakers

Americans celebrate their independence today, but liberty is still threatened in higher education. As college campuses become a battleground over free speech, disinviting speakers has been a common tactic across…

Jun 28, 2019 · Anthony Hennen

Reforming Higher Education: A Reading List

As more students have headed to college and a degree is seen as a way to shape students as workers and as citizens, higher education’s mission has become more important.…

Jun 26, 2019 · Michael DeBow

Attacking the For-profit Sector Helps Neither Students Nor Taxpayers

The federal government currently holds around $1.5 trillion in outstanding student loans—up from “only” $500 million in 2007. Undoubtedly, the federal government—and taxpayers—have an enormous stake in higher education and…

Jun 21, 2019 · George Leef

The Oberlin Case Gives College Leaders a Teachable Moment

When college officials violate people’s rights, they run the risk of bringing on lawsuits that can cost their schools a lot of money. The most common instance has been hyper-aggressive…

Jun 19, 2019 · John Staddon

Administrative Bloat: Where Does It Come From and What Is It Doing?

Philip Hamburger recently published a piece in the Wall Street Journal arguing that Congress should control administrative bloat by limiting student loan funds given to colleges with too many administrators.…