Cato Podcast The Rise of University Administration
Sep 16, 2025
Kenneth Corvo, an associate professor of social work at Syracuse University, delves into the hidden issues of higher education spending. He reveals how for-profit partnerships can divert funds away from instruction, leading to a staggering imbalance between administrators and faculty. The conversation highlights the growing emphasis on compliance and student experience roles over educational integrity. Corvo proposes increased transparency in tuition allocation, urging universities to disclose how student dollars are spent, ultimately questioning the core mission of education.
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Forced 2U Partnership And Tuition Breakdown
- Kenneth Corvo describes Syracuse forcing the social work school to partner with 2U which takes two-thirds of online tuition revenue.
- He and students found about three quarters of tuition paid by in-person MSW students did not go to instructional expenses.
More Administrators Than Faculty
- Corvo found more non-faculty than faculty at the college level, raising questions about administrative roles.
- He points out a superordinate administrative layer that redirects resources away from instruction.
Perceived 'Bullshit Jobs' In Universities
- Academic research identified many university staff who feel their jobs add little social value.
- The paper framed these positions as 'bullshit jobs' that proliferate in higher education.
