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Inside • Academe Vol. XIII • No. 2 • 2007–2008 A publication of the American Council of Trustees and Alumni In This Issue… Shining the Light in Georgia 2 In Box cross our country, debate has been and cost. Our first foray looked at North A raging about what today’s college Carolina; our latest, just released, is 3 ACTA Addresses CHEA students are learning, whether preaching about Georgia. is replacing teaching, whether trustees And the Peach State surely deserves 4 Change Comes to William & Mary are doing their jobs, attention. In recent and how much col- years, students have Mr. Smith (and Mr. lege costs. But often, filed First Amend- Washington) Goes it’s tough for con- ment lawsuits against to Press cerned citizens and four different state 5 With Burgeoning taxpayers to figure universities—chal- Endowments, Elite out what’s really go- lenging the universi- Colleges Start to Act ing on. Most of us ties’ decisions to shut are not on college down free speech. 6 Effective Trusteeship campuses, and the Meanwhile, a mere 20 Stuart Taylor Leads academy isn’t exactly percent of those stu- Discussion of PC forthcoming with in- dents who enter the shining the light formation. A Report Card on Georgia’s System of University System for 7 Heard on Campus Public Higher Education That’s why ACTA the first time actually American Council of Trustees and Alumni 8 Thanks, Hank! has launched a series graduate in four years of studies examining or less. 9 Speaking Up state university systems, zeroing in, at Applying the same grading standard a local level, on the issues that we have used by the System’s largest institution, New at ACTA highlighted nationally—general educa- the University of Georgia, in this report 10 ACTA Changing the tion, intellectual diversity, governance, we offer a pass or fail grade in four key the Culture (continued on 3) 11 Oasis in Austin Register Now for 2008 ATHENA Roundtable www.goacta.org Register now for ACTA’s 2008 ATHENA Roundtable, “The Campaign for the [email protected] American Mind,” to be held on October 16-17, 2008 at the New York His- torical Society. See www.goacta.org or call us at 202-467-6787 for further 1-888-ALUMNI-8 details. in Box ACTA Addresses Council for Higher Education Accreditation t used to be that ACTA was a “voice in the wilderness” calling for reform of accreditation—the process by which uni- Iversities are certified to receive federal financial aid dollars. But thanks to our high-profile calls for change, seconded Anonymous Faculty Member Robert Warren, President by recommendations of the Commission on the Future of Higher Education, the transformation of accreditation has College Town, Missouri Colonial Area Men’s Republican Association “I’m sending this note from my non-institutional e-mail address Williamsburg, VA become a central topic in higher education. to ensure anonymity. Compliments on the latest issue of Inside “[T]hank you for your luncheon talk….Not only was the That important discussion continued in January at the annual meeting of the Council for Higher Education Ac- Academe, which I read with more than the usual interest since information you presented succinct and solidly professional, creditation—the preeminent defender of accreditation. There ACTA president Anne Neal was invited to participate in it deals with educational reforms in my state. Colleagues at but it was unusually timely in light of the William and Mary ACTA must occasionally feel like Sisyphus but they should situation. For your information, as you looked around the the plenary panel discussion on “The Future of the Gatekeeping Role of Accreditation.” In her remarks, she reiterated know that they are making substantial reforms in the academy. room, you saw many outstanding military, business and ACTA’s view that the federal government should not link its dollars to accreditation. Just a few years ago, the educational establishment could simply academic professionals—and the questions they asked reflected As ACTA’s 2007 policy paper “Why Accreditation Doesn’t Work and What Policymakers Can Do About It” points ignore ACTA and similar organizations. Now it realizes that the a real interest and concern about the state of America’s colleges out, accreditation was supposed to prevent taxpayer dollars from going to institutions that provide an “education in ground beneath it is shifting….” and universities. I look forward to future interaction and hope you will come to our neck of the woods...for one of your name only.” But accreditation has not stopped—and in many cases has contributed to—the decline in academic stan- Stephen Joel Trachtenberg, President Emeritus conferences.” dards that ACTA’s studies have shown. Moreover, the Department of Education uses other means of review to ensure George Washington University that institutions are financially responsible—so accreditation isn’t needed there. Washington, DC Michael R. O’Leary, Member “You wowed our students. Thank you!...You provided them an Association of Council Members and College Trustees ACTA has already published two policy papers on the issue and continues to speak out aggressively on the topic. opportunity to understand in great depth the complexity of the State University of New York Surely the capacity crowd at CHEA—and the growing focus on accountability—are testament to ACTA’s work. modern university and how complicated the job of the president Syracuse, NY • is.” “Many thanks for your participation in our conference. I Editor’s Note: ACTA president Anne Neal was a guest lecturer at thought that it was imperative that our members were informed President Trachtenberg’s “The University President in America” about the Spellings Commission and its findings. I have been Shining the Light, continued from 1 course. Her topic was “Accreditors, Associations, Legislatures and very impressed with your organization.” Other Governmental Bodies.” Editor’s Note: ACTA policy director Phyllis Palmiero coordinated a areas. What we found is shown in the report card below. report card will spark a renewed commitment to high stan- retreat for ACT members in October 2007. Shining the Light calls on Georgia’s educational leaders— dards and quality education for all students.” Governor Matt Blunt primarily the Board of Regents—to address the important Emory University professor Mark Bauerlein has also Jefferson City, MO Katie MacMillan, Class of 1951 “Thank you for sending information on higher education College of William & Mary issues we raise in the report. And, as ACTA has done be- drawn attention to the report, especially its findings on in- and a copy of The Spellings Commission and You: What State Virginia Beach, VA fore, we point to areas need- tellectual diversity, dubbing Policymakers Can Do in Light of the Department of Education’s “A belated ‘thank you’ for sending me the Indoctrinate U DVD. ing improvement, as well as it “important” and saying Recent Report. I appreciate being kept informed of the progress I am sharing it with friends. It makes me thankful that there are university system of georgia and solutions offered by this report. I have given copies of this still some brave, patriotic souls out there not afraid to tell and practices deserving praise. A “it should offer lawmakers information to my senior staff for consideration.…” expose the truth.” folded summary card gives a General Education P and educators ample mate- quick and concise look at the rial for discussion and im- Linda Arey Skladany, former member, Board of Visitors State Representative Kenneth L. Weyler Intellectual Diversity f College of William & Mary Kingston, NH state of affairs. provement.” Alexandria, VA “Thank you for the recent report that you sent me on Charles E.M. Kolb, presi- Governance We’ve sent Shining the “Thanks for including Barney and me in your dinner with the Spellings Commission’s report. I am a ten-term State dent of the Committee for Light to all members of the Stuart Taylor. It was wonderful. To me the situation at Duke Representative in the New Hampshire House. I serve on the Board Structure and Transparency P Economic Development, has Board, as well as the chan- is, in microcosm, the state of higher ed in macrocosm in this Finance Committee on the subcommittee that deals with the of Operations endorsed the report in strong cellor of the university sys- country. Or, in the alternative, the logical extension of the stipend that we give to the state university system. I have been f political correctness so pervasive on our finest campuses. What making similar suggestions to the University administrators as terms. “If we want our gradu- Board Accomplishments tem, Governor Sonny Pur- a shame.” the report details, since 1995. A few projects have reluctantly ates to remain competitive in f due, his higher education begun. I would hope that a few copies of your report could Cost and Effectiveness Editor’s Note: On February 27, ACTA hosted a dinner colloquy today’s rapidly changing global advisor, and all members with Mr. Taylor. See page 6 for details. show my colleagues that I am not the only one asking for more efficiency.” environment, it’s absolutely imperative that our institutions of the General Assembly. If you would like to receive a of higher learning focus on academic excellence, intellectual copy as well, please note your interest on the enclosed diversity, and accountability,” he remarked. “Hopefully, this envelope. • INSIDE ACADEME2 2007-2008 No. 2 INSIDE ACADEME3 2007-2008 No. 2 Change Comes to William & Mary With Burgeoning Endowments, Elite Colleges Start to Act By Matthew Mawhinney, ACTA Program Officer t’s called America’s Alma Mater—and in recent months, the way the administration made them—typically by itself— ccording to a January report re- Income for Current Use: Why So Despite relatively minimal endow- Iits governing board and president have been much in and with little tolerance for anyone who dared to disagree.