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A New Way to Hire Great Faculty. The University of Austin means to revitalize liberal education.
James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal ^ | June 21, 2024 | Jacob Howland

Posted on 06/23/2024 3:43:27 AM PDT by karpov

We learned about the complexities and mysteries of artificial intelligence, the uses of innovative statistical analyses that could improve policing, and the Confucian roots of Xi’s totalitarianism. We discussed the early modern origins of ideological movements, Milton’s translation of Homeric epic into a Christian drama of rebellion and salvation, and Moby Dick’s critical analysis of corporatism. We explored the religious roots of modern politics and the influence of Hebraic constitutionalism on the Founding Fathers. We reflected on Shakespeare’s dialectical examination of politics in his Roman dramas.

This was no academic conference. It was a job interview.

Faculty searches often take months to fill even one position. They are specialized and sequestered by department. But when you are an upstart university tasked with building a faculty from scratch in a matter of months, you have the privilege to get creative.

The University of Austin (UATX) had two dozen employees when the state of Texas authorized us to operate as a university in November 2023. By the time our inaugural class of 100 students matriculates in September we will have effectively doubled in size. The lessons we learned along the way will benefit any institution of higher learning.

We had five months to fill roughly 18 positions across the humanities and the hard and social sciences. By the end of January, we’d reviewed more than 900 applications and settled on 36 finalists. Universities typically bring leading candidates to campus one at a time, but individually hosting three dozen of them was logistically impossible, not to mention very expensive. What to do?

(Excerpt) Read more at jamesgmartin.center ...


TOPICS: Education
KEYWORDS: academia; college
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1 posted on 06/23/2024 3:43:27 AM PDT by karpov
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To: karpov
...Moby Dick’s critical analysis of corporatism...
2 posted on 06/23/2024 3:46:22 AM PDT by ComputerGuy (Heavily-medicated for your protection)
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To: karpov

Translation: the Commies, Muslims, and LGBTs will have their say but will no longer be choking-off the rest of us.


3 posted on 06/23/2024 3:55:27 AM PDT by Socon-Econ (adi)
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To: ComputerGuy

THey did not discuss MArxist dialectic?

This is a show piece article.

Ivory tower is fugly.

We need more trade schools that require a year long course on Constitutional history.Not this tripe.


4 posted on 06/23/2024 3:57:39 AM PDT by Candor7 (Ask not for whom the Trump Trolls,He trolls for thee!),<img src="" width=500</img><a href="">tag</a>)
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To: karpov
I don't know how it's going but the concept for the University of Austin is brilliant (i.e., get back to real education and get rid of Wokeism and DEI).

I have seen every interviews and lectures with Niall Ferguson on this subject. He, along with Bari Weiss and others, is a founder.

5 posted on 06/23/2024 3:57:48 AM PDT by RoosterRedux (It's funny that the harder I work, the luckier I get.)
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To: Candor7

You are obviously not familiar with the University of Austin. It is intending to be an antidote to what has become of universities (i.e., Marxism).


6 posted on 06/23/2024 3:59:27 AM PDT by RoosterRedux (It's funny that the harder I work, the luckier I get.)
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To: karpov

Liberal education is an oxymoron.


7 posted on 06/23/2024 3:59:33 AM PDT by mewzilla (Never give up; never surrender!)
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To: RoosterRedux
Trade Schools and Constitutional history....all we need.

Name one university in the USA worth attending other than Hillsdale College. Even the military academies are now “woke”.

I have to laugh at the tautological crap represented by this article. Another Petri dish for the weak minded.

Time for a paradigm shift. I suppose they could have a chance for redemption if they put Victor Davis Hanson in charge.

THe world of academe? Immoral bastids. THe State Department is full of them, and they have put us on the verge of a World War.No thanks.

8 posted on 06/23/2024 4:10:11 AM PDT by Candor7 (Ask not for whom the Trump Trolls,He trolls for thee!),<img src="" width=500</img><a href="">tag</a>)
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To: mewzilla
The word "liberal" here is used in its original definition...the way it was used before it was co-opted by the left to mean "Marxist."

For example, "liberalism" is a political and economic doctrine that emphasizes individual autonomy, equality of opportunity, and the protection of individual rights.

9 posted on 06/23/2024 4:15:17 AM PDT by RoosterRedux (It's funny that the harder I work, the luckier I get.)
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To: Candor7
Why don't you learn about the recent founding of the University of Austin before you spout off?

It is being created in the form of Hillsdale College.

10 posted on 06/23/2024 4:16:53 AM PDT by RoosterRedux (It's funny that the harder I work, the luckier I get.)
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To: RoosterRedux

I’m aware of that.

And I’m also aware that Austin isn’t talking about offering a classical education.

If they do that, I’ll think something has changed.


11 posted on 06/23/2024 4:19:14 AM PDT by mewzilla (Never give up; never surrender!)
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To: mewzilla
Here is the Lockean use of that word:
Historically, liberalism meant individual freedom, private property, free enterprise, and impartial rule of law under constitutionally limited government.

12 posted on 06/23/2024 4:20:47 AM PDT by RoosterRedux (It's funny that the harder I work, the luckier I get.)
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To: mewzilla
All I know of it is what Niall Ferguson and Ayaan Hirsi Ali have said about it (they are Trustees IIRC). And the purpose is to provide a classical education (i.e., not tainted by Wokeism, Marxism, or DEI).

It is possible that it has been destroyed before even getting started but it's original goal was to get back to real education.

13 posted on 06/23/2024 4:26:04 AM PDT by RoosterRedux (It's funny that the harder I work, the luckier I get.)
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To: RoosterRedux

I know all this.

Ping me when Austin actually DOES it. :-)


14 posted on 06/23/2024 4:30:47 AM PDT by mewzilla (Never give up; never surrender!)
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To: All
Here's what ChatGPT says about Niall Ferguson's comments on the University of Austin:

Niall Ferguson, a co-founder of the University of Austin (UATX), has articulated that the primary goal of this new institution is to restore the core values of higher education, specifically the "fearless pursuit of truth."

He emphasizes that UATX is intended to counteract the perceived decline in free speech and open inquiry at many traditional universities. Ferguson and other founders of UATX are committed to creating an environment that is financially, intellectually, and politically independent, aiming to uphold academic freedom and promote rigorous intellectual debate​ (UAustin)​​ (Austin Journal)​.

The University of Austin was established with the belief that existing universities have become overly censorious and illiberal, thereby undermining the true purpose of higher education. By establishing UATX, Ferguson and his colleagues seek to create a space where freedom of thought and expression are paramount, and where the pursuit of truth is the institution's guiding principle​


15 posted on 06/23/2024 4:32:12 AM PDT by RoosterRedux (It's funny that the harder I work, the luckier I get.)
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To: mewzilla

Point well taken.


16 posted on 06/23/2024 4:33:02 AM PDT by RoosterRedux (It's funny that the harder I work, the luckier I get.)
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To: karpov

Looking for a fluently bilingual individual who can teach Spanish to fluency? This person is very conservative and will teach the language from that foundation. Have interested parties PM me.


17 posted on 06/23/2024 4:38:47 AM PDT by MeneMeneTekelUpharsin (Freedom is the freedom to discipline yourself so others don't have to do it for you.)
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To: Candor7
BTW, I regularly spout off before reading the article, so I have no right to complain about others doing so.

Sorry for being so cranky.;-)

18 posted on 06/23/2024 4:49:03 AM PDT by RoosterRedux (It's funny that the harder I work, the luckier I get.)
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To: Candor7

Colleges worth attending:

The Maine Maritime Academy, Castine, Maine
The Texas Maritime Academy, Galveston, Texas
The Massachusettes Maritime Academy, Buzzards Bay, MA
The Great Lakes Maritime Academy, Traverse City, MI
The California Maritime Academy, Vallejo, CA

These college offer hands on training, a BS degree, and upon successful completion of US Coast Guard Exams earn licenses as merchant marine officers, deck or engine and are off to great careers both at sea and ashore.

In the interest of full disclosure, I taught at the maritime college in Maine for 30 years and help start our program in International Business and Logistics-our students are getting great jobs.

Also, there are now professions that require a BA or BS degree or more such as accounting to become certified (CPA exam).


19 posted on 06/23/2024 5:05:07 AM PDT by Maine Mariner
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To: mewzilla

Do you understand the traditional and proper use of the term “liberal”? The word as understood before the socialists communists co-opted it?


20 posted on 06/23/2024 5:05:46 AM PDT by FreedomNotSafety
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