College Matters from The Chronicle

Lee Gardner, a senior writer at The Chronicle of Higher Education, dives into the escalating feud between faculty and administrators in colleges. He discusses the turbulence caused by no-confidence votes and high turnover in leadership, stressing the impact on academic integrity. The conversation delves into decision-making issues amplified by the pandemic, particularly around acquisitions and financial crises. Gardner emphasizes the need for collaboration and trust-building to address the evolving challenges in higher education amidst shifting faculty dynamics.

If you follow higher education like we do, you know that the sector is ripe for controversy. From misused money, to smoking-gun emails, to the occasional sex scandal, colleges and universities routinely make news for all the wrong reasons. But what makes for a delicious higher-ed controversy? And what can be learned from the embarrassing failures of otherwise respectable institutions? To dig into those questions, Chronicle staffers gathered recently for a first-of-its-kind higher-education controversy draft. Who built the best roster? That’s for you to decide.Related Reading:  Uproar at Mount St. Mary’s (Chronicle)  Is That Our Chancellor in the Porno (College Matters podcast)  Discredited: The UNC Scandal and College Athletics’ Amatuer Ideal (Andy Thomason)  Auburn President’s Permanent No Comment (Inside Higher Ed)  Guests: Sarah Brown, senior editor at The Chronicle of Higher Education  Andy Thomason, assistant managing editor at The Chronicle of Higher Education  For more on today’s episode, visit chronicle.com/collegematters. We aim to make transcripts available within a day of an episode’s publication.

In this engaging discussion, Emma Pettit, a senior reporter at The Chronicle of Higher Education, delves into Florida's sweeping educational reforms targeting identity politics in public universities. She highlights the tension between legislative mandates and academic freedom, sparking debates on curriculum censorship. Parents and administrators express anxieties amid ambiguity surrounding new laws. The podcast explores the implications of reducing general education offerings, raising critical questions about the balance between traditional values and the push for inclusivity in higher education.

Katherine Mangan, a senior writer at The Chronicle of Higher Education, discusses the striking 19% decline in white student enrollment since 2018. She highlights overlooked aspects of this trend within the context of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion initiatives. Mangan explores changing perceptions of education's value, particularly among affluent white students who are opting for trade skills over college. She also shares insights into the experiences of conservative students feeling unwelcome in the college environment, leading to alternative educational choices.

John Holden, an Associate Professor at Indiana University's Kelly School of Business, dives into the booming world of sports betting and its implications for college athletics. He discusses the shift in legal landscapes post-2018 Supreme Court ruling and rising risks for student-athletes. Holden also highlights the dangers of individualized betting, targeting college athletes' performances, and the ethical dilemmas universities face in partnering with gambling firms. With March Madness approaching, he stresses the urgent need for education on gambling regulations and addiction.

Beckie Supiano, a Senior Writer at The Chronicle of Higher Education, dives into the contentious issue of grade inflation in academia. She discusses the growing number of straight-A students and the societal panic over grade standards. Supiano explores the pressures placed on professors and the changing dynamics in student demographics. She questions the true meaning of grades and their role as indicators of learning. The conversation also touches on the impact of grades on student anxiety, college admissions, and the future of merit-based education.

Lisa Heffernan, co-founder of Grown and Flown and co-author of the book 'Grown and Flown,' dives into the nuanced world of helicopter parenting. She discusses GPS tracking and 'concierge moms,' revealing how financial pressure influences parental involvement. Heffernan highlights the balance between support and overreach, exploring how technology shapes parent-child dynamics. The conversation also emphasizes the importance of fostering independence through financial literacy and active listening, offering insights for parents navigating this challenging terrain.

Political opposition to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs has been building for years, but something happened last October that felt like a turning point. In a deeply reported article for The New York Times Magazine, Nicholas Confessore cast doubt on the effectiveness of one of the nation’s best-funded DEI programs. Titled “The University of Michigan Doubled Down on DEI. What Went Wrong?,” Confessore’s article added fuel to a debate over whether DEI programs are meeting their stated goals or actually making campus climates worse. In an interview with College Matters, Confessore talks about his investigation, and what it meant for The Gray Lady to take a critical view of DEI.Related Reading:  The University of Michigan Doubled Down on DEI. What Went Wrong? (The New York Times Magazine)  Where DEI Efforts Are Ambitious, Well Funded, and Taking Fire From All Sides (The Chronicle)  The Dismantling of DEI (The Chronicle)  Statement from Tabbye Chavous, vice provost for equity and inclusion and chief diversity officer at the University of Michigan Guest: Nicholas Confessore, a political and investigative reporter at The New York Times and a staff writer at The New York Times Magazine.For more on today’s episode, visit chronicle.com/collegematters. We aim to make transcripts available within a day of an episode’s publication.

Daarel Burnette II, senior editor at The Chronicle of Higher Education, dives into the complex landscape of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in higher education. He discusses the long-standing push against DEI initiatives, particularly under recent political pressures. The conversation highlights the impact of DEI on marginalized groups, especially Black students, and the establishment of safe spaces. Burnette reflects on the challenges faced by DEI advocates and emphasizes the need for genuine inclusion amidst evolving identity dynamics in academia.

James Kvaal, former under secretary of education in the Biden administration, shares insights on the challenges and achievements of educational policies. He discusses the Biden administration's commitment to student-debt relief amid political opposition. Kvaal reflects on the controversial overhaul of the FAFSA and its impact on financial aid. He addresses public skepticism about higher education's value and the ongoing importance of funding colleges to tackle societal issues like inequality and climate change.