Reforming Higher Ed in 2021

James G. Martin Center for Academic Renewal ^ | January 4, 2020 | Martin Center Staff

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The year 2020 brought changes that colleges would have never made by choice. Enrollment declines, remote classes, and dramatic employee cuts (for faculty and some staff alike) were unthinkable a year ago. But, for the sake of the future, more work remains. Below are some priorities the Martin Center staff would like to see catch fire on campus.

Jenna A. Robinson, President

Expand the Number of Universities Committed to the Chicago Principles

In 2021, more universities should adopt the Chicago Principles of Free Expression—especially here in North Carolina. The Chicago Principles go beyond merely legal protection for free speech. They demonstrate a university’s commitment to the importance of free and open inquiry, robust debate, and unfettered freedom of thought to the university’s mission of preserving, discovering, and transmitting knowledge.

The statement reads, in part:

Because the University is committed to free and open inquiry in all matters, it guarantees all members of the University community the broadest possible latitude to speak, write, listen, challenge, and learn.

This should be a bedrock principle at all institutions of higher learning, because without this commitment true academic freedom and discovery are impossible.

The Chicago Principles are needed now more than ever—to push back against the cancel culture, bias response teams, and self-censorship that plague university campuses. The Chicago Principles are a first step to real renewal at our colleges and universities.

More Students Choosing Apprenticeships

After the 2020 presidential election, proponents of student debt forgiveness began to revive their arguments for forgiving at least some student debt. They rightly point out that some graduates struggle to keep up with payments and never begin to make a dent in the principal.

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Disallow all federal funding to schools where the BS “critical race theory” lies are taught. No grants, no subsidies, no student loans, no government support whatsoever.

Then the Curriculum will change damn fast