Selective colleges and universities are under fire in America for being too elite and too expensive, for impeding free speech, for not training graduates for the world of work, and for any number of other myths.
These curious and distressing charges ignore the fact that these institutions continue to prepare students for success in their work, for thoughtful engagement in civic life, for lives of meaning, for lifelong learning and for understanding our world and those with whom we live.
These colleges and universities must be doing something right. Applications are at record highs, and the financial aid programs at these schools make them more accessible than ever. This American model of education has long played a central role in creating opportunity, driving economic growth, and spurring innovation and it is still the envy of the world.
Yet, there is growing skepticism about the value of this model here at home. The recent tax reform bill was a wake-up call that our strongest colleges and universities are under assault by some in government. The initial proposals would have made education unaffordable for many by taxing tuition waivers for graduate students and ending deductions for student loan interest. Thankfully, these provisions were ultimately stripped from the bill, but lawmakers let stand a new excise tax on the investment income of a select group of colleges and universities. None of these provisions were designed to raise much revenue. They were intended to make a statement.
While these attacks are motivated by misguided ideas, those of us in higher education need to do a much better job of explaining why these claims are not true and why what we do is valuable to our students and society. We cannot take for granted that any of this is obvious.
The data are clear: a liberal arts education is great career preparation, both for excellent lifetime earnings and for satisfaction with the work. George Anders, business author, former Wall Street Journal feature writer, and contributing editor at Forbes, and Randall Stross, a professor at San Jose State University’s School of Management who has written extensively about technology businesses and Silicon Valley for this publication, The New York Times, Fortune, and The Wall Street Journal, among others, both have new books that underscore these points. This education develops the skills of critical thinking, rigorous analysis of data and facts, communicating with the written and spoken word, understanding of cultural differences and issues, and the ability to keep learning. The fact is that liberal arts graduates do extremely well in every imaginable field, and I know this from personal experience. Before entering higher education, I was a senior executive in the private sector; I saw that this education provides skills and knowledge that are in high demand, and I know how well it prepares students for long-term professional success.
On the issue of free speech, without question there have been incidents on campuses where speakers were impeded or prevented from delivering their views, or worse. I have consistently made the point that the ability to express and engage all manner of ideas, even offensive ones, is central to our mission, and I find these incidents deeply troubling. But they are the exception. On my campus and on many others, there is considerable work going on – much of it led by students – to engage with views that are different and to consider uncomfortable ideas. This is hard work, especially because we have few role models in our cable TV society, and there will likely be other incidents that test the bedrock academic principle of free expression. But the work continues and we are making progress.
Access to an education at selective colleges and universities is now more available to low- and middle-income families than ever. We have built endowments from donations by alumni and parents who understand and appreciate our mission to provide access and opportunity, and a significant portion of the returns from these endowments is used to fund financial aid. The irony of the new excise tax on endowments is that it drains financial aid funds from the very schools most able to offer opportunity to those who have earned a spot but cannot otherwise afford this education. Beyond the virtue of access to those who have earned a place at these schools, the diversity of economic backgrounds enhances the education and experience of all of our students.
The education we offer changes the life trajectory of our students, and has made and continues to make America stronger. Those of us in higher education will fight to make this understood.
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