The law professors’ criticism of this administrative overreach barely scratches the surface of a central problem that has led colleges and universities throughout the country to inflict massive changes in college and university culture. In their opening paragraphs, the professors write, “We also find the process by which this policy was decided and imposed on all parts of the university inconsistent with the finest traditions of Harvard University, of faculty governance, and of academic freedom.”Often under pressure of federal bureaucrats, but invariably via the leadership of central bureaucracies, schools have slowly taken power away from teachers. Harvard’s practice of consultation with its faculty is better than at many universities, but it’s a shadow of what it used to be.
This gradual takeover, nationally, of higher education by bureaucrats at the expense of faculty power is evident in several ways and is much to the detriment of our students’ educational experience. Although studies show that the ideal operating ratio is about three tenure-track faculty members for every one administrator, by 2008, administrators actually outnumbered faculty two to one….
—Harvey Silvergate, “Faculty Outsted At Harvard—From Power That Is”
R. Scott Clark
R.Scott Clark is the President of the Heidelberg Reformation Association, the author and editor of, and contributor to several books and the author of many articles. He has taught church history and historical theology since 1997 at Westminster Seminary California. He has also taught at Wheaton College, Reformed Theological Seminary, and Concordia University. He has hosted the Heidelblog since 2007.
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It happened in the UK National Health Service as well, these malignant administratoromata. And if that weren’t enough, they’ve administered (different sense of the word here!) a powerful mutagen that turns valuable doctors, nurses, scientists, etc. into administrators.
Looking at WSCal’s page, the tuition looks pretty reasonable. Is it fair to say it runs about $5k a year?
The federal government isn’t the only source of funding there could be if it didn’t have such a monopolistic hold on student loans. I’m convinced easy federal money is leading to inflation in tuition because students are taking out more than they should and school administrators are happy to take the money from students.
If a private bank provided a loan, perhaps churches calling the graduate could help pay it off. It’s not a lot of money compared to an annual salary. Perhaps denominations could set up their own student loans at reasonable rates indexed to inflation.
I’m not trying to be glib I just think alternatives could be found or created. So much of the evil I see in our society is traceable to the government’s filthy lucre.
Government money seems to be the root of all kinds of evil. Wouldn’t we be much freer if it was simply refused?
Walt,
Perhaps but whence the replacement funding for, e.g., seminary students? Mom & Dad often pay for college but sem students are usually on their own.
That’s why Grove City and Hillsdale accept no federal funding, which for their students, means no federal student loans.
I think at least for Grove City, it all started when they pushed back on Title IX.
I’m trying to work up some sympathy for the mostly far-left faculty of American colleges and universities. No success so far.
Frank,
If Harvard is feeling it be sure that all are.
Not all faculties are left-wing. Virtually every campus in American has students who receive federal student loans. That opens the door to the Dept of Ed and increased bureaucratic control and diminished freedom of speech.