|
|
|
|
CATEGORY: EDUCATION (3 MIN)
Major university presidents did not have their finest month to end 2023. Penn president Liz Magill resigned after her controversial comments to Congress about Jewish students and speech on campus. And now, Claudine Gay of Harvard University resigned after investigative reporters discovered evidence of plagiarism in her past academic work.
Some believe Gay should never even have received the job in the first place. Heather Mac Donald, writing in City Journal, notes Gay’s “meager” body of academic work, arguing that she instead got the presidency at least in part due to her race. In her statements after her resignation, Gay characterized her merely five-month stint as president as one that helped students “belong” in some way.
Mac Donald criticizes this idea, saying that it highlights the very problems which led to the hiring of Gay. Mac Donald believes the emphasis on “inclusiveness,” which Harvard has sworn to uphold even without Gay at the helm, necessarily implies de-emphasizing excellence. Mac Donald warns that Harvard will continue to face problems with poorly qualified leadership and faculty if it stays on the road of demographic inclusivity.
After all, Mac Donald says, the goal of higher education remains the achievement of excellence and the discovery of knowledge.
Read her article right here.
|
Weekly Poll
RESULTS: 12/28/23
Last week, we asked: Should conservatives return to the ideas from 20th century thinkers as a guide for future decisions? Here are the results:
[A] Yes - 79.5%
[B] No - 13.6%
[C] Unsure - 6.8%
Do you think an overemphasis on "inclusiveness" can cause a decline in excellence at an institution?
[A] Yes
[B] No
[C] Unsure
|
CATEGORY: EDUCATION (8 MIN)
What will universities do in response to the wide variety of scandals and examples of incompetency plaguing them in the past few years? At first, it might seem that they have little incentive to change. A glance at Harvard’s nearly $50 billion endowment indicates their financial security.
Greg Conti, a Princeton professor, writes in Compact that major academic institutions should still consider the cost of their actions and strategies—even if that cost isn’t financial. Conti outlines the complete collapse in trust between the average American and other institutions, like the branches of government, huge corporations, and scientific experts. He warns that if universities like Harvard don’t correct course, they may face a similar demise.
Even though Conti says some disapproval of these colleges is unreasonable or excessive, he urges them to take all criticism seriously. Simply admitting some fault should boost their credibility, Conti believes—a phenomenon which does not happen often. In addition, Conti thinks universities should realize their place and purpose: academic rigor, not cultural commentary.
“An organization that pontificates about everything can be trusted about nothing,” Conti writes.
Read Conti’s entire take in his piece here.
|
|
CATEGORY: PODCAST EPISODE
In this episode, Jeremy Wayne Tate, founder and CEO of the Classical Learning Test, joins the podcast to talk about:
- reforming curricula to cover the most important texts and thinkers of the Western Heritage
- how the College Board has changed the purpose of education and caused a decline in educational quality and skill development, and how to fix it
- why students “light up” when we teach things related to man’s capacity to good and evil and the timeless principles and questions that pertain to the good life
Texts Mentioned:
|
|
March for Life Reception
January 19th, 2024
Join the Intercollegiate Studies Institute for a happy hour to discuss life and liberty! The event will be held after the March for Life at The Heritage Foundation. Refreshments will be available. Our featured speakers are Alexandra DeSanctis and Tom Shakely.
Join us in Washington, DC >>>
|
Daring Greatly: Forming America's Next Great Statesman
February 2nd, 2024
The Heritage Foundation is proud to host the launch of the insightful new book, Gateway to Statesmanship: Selections from Xenophon to Churchill by Johnny Burtka, on February 2, 2024, at 11:00 AM. This event features a dynamic panel discussion with distinguished speakers Larry Arnn and Elbridge Colby, delving into the rich tapestry of statesmanship across history and its relevance today.
In this panel discussion, Johnny Burtka, Larry Arnn, and Elbridge Colby will explore how the study of statesmanship extends beyond the realms of politics into the broader scope of human thought and action. They will discuss how the classics teach us about the difficult choices that shape lives and character, providing insight into how these teachings are vital today.
Join us in Washington, DC >>>
|
41st Annual Viennese Waltz Ball
February 17th, 2024
Join ISI on Saturday, February 17th, at The Organization of American States for the 41st Annual Evening of Viennese Waltzing.
It will be a night of silk top hats, furs, dance cards, champagne, and flaming crepes as more than 200 couples recreate the sumptuous balls of turn-of-the-century Vienna.
Join us in Washington, DC >>>
|
Gateway to Statesmanship Book Launch with Johnny Burtka
February 22nd, 2024
Join us for an enlightening evening at the Linda L. Bean Center as we celebrate the launch of the much-anticipated book, Gateway to Statesmanship: Selections from Xenophon to Churchill. This event starts at 6:00 PM with a welcoming reception, offering a chance to mingle, enjoy refreshments, and prepare for an evening of intellectual discussion.
As the reception winds down, we transition into a compelling panel discussion featuring Enrique Pallares and Joseph Prud’homme, renowned for their deep insights into political and philosophical thought. This discussion will delve into the book’s exploration of statesmanship, not just as a political art but as a comprehensive study of human thought and action.
Join us in Wilmington, DE >>>
|
|
|
Because our student editors and writers are bravely bringing conservative ideas to their campuses, we’re highlighting their efforts here.
Freedom from Expression: How Youngkin’s Free Speech Summit Fell on Deaf Ears via The Jefferson Independent
“[UVA students] had never heard the phrase ‘Higher Education Summit on Free Speech and Intellectual Diversity’ because it had never been publicized: not on the university website, not in the newspaper and certainly not stapled to any pillar or signpost. [Governor Glenn Youngkin] was coming down from Richmond to save our free speech, and no one was talking about it.”
An Interview with Janis Holt via The Texas Horn
“Janis Holt is a Republican candidate for Texas House District 18, currently represented by Ernest Bailes... [The Texas Horn] and Janis discuss parental empowerment, Colony Ridge, and Speaker Dade Phelan.”
2023 In Review: Free Speech and a Frigid Campus Climate via Cornell Review
“Cornell University experienced a tumultuous year with events affecting free speech, campus politics, and campus culture. The ‘Year of Free Expression’ saw debates on academic freedom, controversial speakers, and tensions regarding Israel. Additionally, there were developments in Greek life, student unionization, and controversies around sex ed and sports culture.” |
|
CATEGORY: EDUCATION (4 MIN)
For all the ideological and cultural problems with many institutions of higher education, still other dangers threaten to undermine their stability and legitimacy. Many of these hazards are more practical. Financials, career prospects, and technological advances all pose threats to the future of colleges and universities.
In this week’s Intercollegiate Review archive, Prof. Tyler Cowen writes on these pitfalls facing academia. Even though his message comes from 10 years ago now, his warnings sound relevant today, if not even more so. He lays out many phenomena and trends forcing change in higher education, from high student debt and excessive bureaucracy to undiversified funding and increased online learning.
“The days are gone when a college or university can consider its continuing existence to be something which it can take for granted,” Cowen writes.
In response, Cowen urges several steps for these institutions. He pushes for better online quality education and specialization in the distinctives that truly make a school great. He asks schools to teach students how to teach themselves—how to continue learning after their four years of college are over. And he continues to remind universities of the importance of good student experience in school.
Read Cowen’s article right here.
|
Thought of the Day:
“I would rather be governed by the first 2,000 people in the Boston telephone directory than by the 2,000 people on the faculty of Harvard University.”
- William F. Buckley, Jr.
|
Join ISI’s new Alumni Giving Club
It’s never been easier for you to support our mission—and stay part of our community—with ISI’s new Alumni Giving Club!
For just $19.53 a month, you can join the fight and “pay it forward” by educating the next generation for ordered liberty.
|
|
