To begin to fix so-called “higher education”, first, make it possible for student debt to be wiped out in bankruptcy proceedings. This will motivate lenders to care whether the student is studying in a field that will let them pay it back. Scholarships can be used to assure a steady stream of people in unemployable fields (the social “sciences” and anything ending in “studies”) Require that scholarships derive only from endowments created with private funds for that purpose. Second, force colleges to demonstrate, and audit them annually, that tuition is to cover only the cost of expenses related to the student’s education, and not to all the other activities colleges involve themselves in. Third, outlaw tenure in any state chartered institution, or any that receives government funds.
These aren’t enough to cure it, but would be steps in the right direction. I’m sure others here can add more.
> To begin to fix so-called “higher education”, first, make it possible for student debt to be wiped out in bankruptcy proceedings. <
The problem with that idea is that some student loans are federally guaranteed. So a bankruptcy would put the taxpayers on the hook for the loan.
> This will motivate lenders to care whether the student is studying in a field that will let them pay it back. <
That would cause a flurry of lawsuits: How dare you deny my child a loan just because he wants to major in Navajo tribal chants!
I’d rather see colleges be forced to co-sign for student loans. So if some college wants to offer a major in say, Navajo tribal chants, okay. But it’s on them to get their money back.
(Just my rambling two cents.)
I’d begin the fix by abolishing government backed student loans entirely.
But then I’d improve the benefits for veterans who have served honorably.
That would drive more people into the military where they’d be better prepared to resist any BS leftist indoctrination in academia.