The Five-Year Party (32 page)
Read The Five-Year Party Online
Authors: Craig Brandon
Then there are my star journalism students, who were always among the 10 percent of students at party schools who really wanted to learn and were disgusted with the antics of the slacker majority. They could have gone to a better college but they stuck it out and I’m glad they did. Together, using the state Right to Know law, we exposed abuses that included lead paint chips in the playground of the college daycare center, toxic mold in dormitories that was sending students to the hospital, students forced to stand outside in freezing weather to register for housing, and college pledge parties that included underage drinking and strippers. I love all you guys and you made me very proud to be your teacher, even though college administrators cursed us under their breaths. I wish you the best of luck in your journalism careers and whatever you plan to do in the future.
Most of the first draft of this book was written at the Hannah Grimes Center in Keene, New Hampshire, and I want to think the staff and administration who understood why I needed to be locked away in my office all those hours. Thank you, MaryAnn, Kristin, Josh, and Dan.
I also wish to thank the people who helped out by reading earlier stages of the manuscript and offering helpful advice for revisions. These include Jean Winter and Al Stoops.
There are also hundreds of academics and former academics around the nation who made comments on my blog, sent me e-mails, or discussed issues that are raised in this book. Adjunct professors who are paid a pittance but are aware of what is going on were particularly helpful in telling me incredible stories about administrators exploiting students. They are too numerous to mention here, but I would like particularly to thank Marty Nemko, Larry Syzdek, Miriam Tiscotti, Ingrid Tewksbury, and Bob Bowblis.
Endnotes
1
B.S. Sonner. “A is for ‘Adjunct’: Examining grade inflation in higher education” (Statistical data included),
Journal of Education for Business,
September 2000, Volume 76 (11): 5.
B.S. Sonner. “A is for ‘Adjunct’: Examining grade inflation in higher education” (Statistical data included),
Journal of Education for Business,
September 2000, Volume 76 (11): 5.
2
Jonathan Whitbourne. “The Dropout Dilemma: One in Four College Freshmen Drop Out. What’s Going on Here? What Does It Take to Stay In?”
Careers and Colleges
, March 2002, <
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTR/is_4_22/ai_84599442/?tag=content;col1
> (accessed February 16, 2010).
Jonathan Whitbourne. “The Dropout Dilemma: One in Four College Freshmen Drop Out. What’s Going on Here? What Does It Take to Stay In?”
Careers and Colleges
, March 2002, <
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BTR/is_4_22/ai_84599442/?tag=content;col1
> (accessed February 16, 2010).
3
Maurna R. Desmond. “The Coming College Bubble?”
Forbes
, October 23, 2008, <
http://www.forbes.com/2008/10/22/college-debt-loans-biz-beltway-cx_md_1023schools.html
> (accessed February 16, 2010).
Maurna R. Desmond. “The Coming College Bubble?”
Forbes
, October 23, 2008, <
http://www.forbes.com/2008/10/22/college-debt-loans-biz-beltway-cx_md_1023schools.html
> (accessed February 16, 2010).
4
Jean M. Twenge.
Generation Me
(New York: Free Press, 2006), 117.
Jean M. Twenge.
Generation Me
(New York: Free Press, 2006), 117.
5
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators press release, February 5, 2009, available on the NASFA A website at
http://www.nasfaa.org/publications
(accessed February 16, 2010). See also Tamar Lewin, “Study Finds Public Discontent with Colleges.”
New York Times,
February 17, 2010.
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators press release, February 5, 2009, available on the NASFA A website at
http://www.nasfaa.org/publications
(accessed February 16, 2010). See also Tamar Lewin, “Study Finds Public Discontent with Colleges.”
New York Times,
February 17, 2010.
6
Lynn Olson.
The School-to-Work Revolution
(Reading, MA: Da Capo Press, 1998), 19. See also Mary Beth Marklein, “4-Year Colleges Graduate 53% of Students in 6 Years.”
USA Today
, June 3, 2009.
Lynn Olson.
The School-to-Work Revolution
(Reading, MA: Da Capo Press, 1998), 19. See also Mary Beth Marklein, “4-Year Colleges Graduate 53% of Students in 6 Years.”
USA Today
, June 3, 2009.
7
Alan Michael Collinge.
The Student Loan Scam: The Most Oppressive Debt in U.S. History and How We Can Fight Back
(Boston: Beacon Press, 2009), 121-122.
Alan Michael Collinge.
The Student Loan Scam: The Most Oppressive Debt in U.S. History and How We Can Fight Back
(Boston: Beacon Press, 2009), 121-122.
8
Eric Hoover. “‘Golden Walk’ Gets a Makeover from an Auditor of Campus Visits.”
Chronicle of Higher Education
, March 6, 2009, Volume 55 (26): A1. See also Jacques Steinberg, “Colleges Seek to Remake the Campus Tour.”
New York Times
, August 18, 2009.
Eric Hoover. “‘Golden Walk’ Gets a Makeover from an Auditor of Campus Visits.”
Chronicle of Higher Education
, March 6, 2009, Volume 55 (26): A1. See also Jacques Steinberg, “Colleges Seek to Remake the Campus Tour.”
New York Times
, August 18, 2009.
9
Matthew Quirk. “The Best Class Money Can Buy.”
Atlantic Monthly
, November 2005, <
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200511/financial-aid-leveraging
> (accessed February 16, 2010).
Matthew Quirk. “The Best Class Money Can Buy.”
Atlantic Monthly
, November 2005, <
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200511/financial-aid-leveraging
> (accessed February 16, 2010).
10
David L. Kirp.
Shakespeare, Einstein, and the Bottom Line: The Marketing of Higher Education
(Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2003), 11-31.
David L. Kirp.
Shakespeare, Einstein, and the Bottom Line: The Marketing of Higher Education
(Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2003), 11-31.
11
Jeffrey R. Young. “Homework? What Homework?”
Chronicle of Higher Education
, December 6, 2002, Volume 49 (15): A35-37.
Jeffrey R. Young. “Homework? What Homework?”
Chronicle of Higher Education
, December 6, 2002, Volume 49 (15): A35-37.
12
Kirp, 12-15.
Kirp, 12-15.
13
Thomas Bartlett. “Your (Lame) Slogan Here.”
Chronicle of Higher Education
, November 23, 2007, Volume 54 (13): A1.
Thomas Bartlett. “Your (Lame) Slogan Here.”
Chronicle of Higher Education
, November 23, 2007, Volume 54 (13): A1.
14
Ibid.
Ibid.
15
Greg Winter. “Jacuzzi U.? A Battle of Perks to Lure Students.”
New York Times
, October 5, 2003.
Greg Winter. “Jacuzzi U.? A Battle of Perks to Lure Students.”
New York Times
, October 5, 2003.
16
Marysol Castro and Jen Pirone. “Living the High Class College Life.”
ABC News
, September 20, 2008, <
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=5846595&page=11
>.
Marysol Castro and Jen Pirone. “Living the High Class College Life.”
ABC News
, September 20, 2008, <
http://abcnews.go.com/GMA/story?id=5846595&page=11
>.
17
Thomas Bartlett. “Club Ed: This University Is at Your Service.”
Chronicle of Higher Education
, July 4, 2008, Volume 54 (43): A1.
Thomas Bartlett. “Club Ed: This University Is at Your Service.”
Chronicle of Higher Education
, July 4, 2008, Volume 54 (43): A1.
18
Ibid.
Ibid.
19
Desmond, “The Coming College Bubble?”
Desmond, “The Coming College Bubble?”
20
Jon Marcus. “Up, Up and Away.”
The Boston Globe
, October 5, 2009, <
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/magazine/articles/2008/10/05/up_up_and_away/
> (accessed February 24, 2010).
Jon Marcus. “Up, Up and Away.”
The Boston Globe
, October 5, 2009, <
http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/magazine/articles/2008/10/05/up_up_and_away/
> (accessed February 24, 2010).
21
Martin Salazar. “Faculty,AdministrationatWaroverUniversity of New Mexico’sFuture.”
ABQ Journal
, January 31, 2009, <
http://www.abqjournal.com/cgi-bin/decision.pl?attempted=www.abqjournal.com/news/metro/3101313metro01-31-09.htm
>(accessed February 24, 2010).
Martin Salazar. “Faculty,AdministrationatWaroverUniversity of New Mexico’sFuture.”
ABQ Journal
, January 31, 2009, <
http://www.abqjournal.com/cgi-bin/decision.pl?attempted=www.abqjournal.com/news/metro/3101313metro01-31-09.htm
>(accessed February 24, 2010).
22
Eric Ferreri. “Bowles Orders UNC to Cut from the Top.”
News Observer
(Raleigh, North Carolina), August 29, 2009.
Eric Ferreri. “Bowles Orders UNC to Cut from the Top.”
News Observer
(Raleigh, North Carolina), August 29, 2009.
23
Carol Frances. “Higher Education: Enrollment Trends and Staffing Needs.”
Research Dialogues
, March 1998, Issue 55, <
http://www.tiaa-crefinstitute.org/articles/55.html
>.
Carol Frances. “Higher Education: Enrollment Trends and Staffing Needs.”
Research Dialogues
, March 1998, Issue 55, <
http://www.tiaa-crefinstitute.org/articles/55.html
>.
24
Cary Nelson and Stephen Watt.
Academic Keywords, A Devil’s Dictionary for Higher Education
(New York: Routledge, 1999), 40-41.
Cary Nelson and Stephen Watt.
Academic Keywords, A Devil’s Dictionary for Higher Education
(New York: Routledge, 1999), 40-41.
25
Arthur Levine. “How the Academic Profession Is Changing,”
Daedalus
, Fall 1997, Volume 126 (4): 1-20.
Arthur Levine. “How the Academic Profession Is Changing,”
Daedalus
, Fall 1997, Volume 126 (4): 1-20.
26
Gabriela Montell. “As Economy Sours, Presidential Pay Draws Increased Scrutiny.”
Chronicle of Higher Education
, November 21, 2008, Volume 55 (13): B3. <
http://chronicle.com/article/As-Economy-Sours-Presidential/7891
>.
Gabriela Montell. “As Economy Sours, Presidential Pay Draws Increased Scrutiny.”
Chronicle of Higher Education
, November 21, 2008, Volume 55 (13): B3. <
http://chronicle.com/article/As-Economy-Sours-Presidential/7891
>.
27
Ibid.
Ibid.
28
Nelson and Watt, 91.
Nelson and Watt, 91.
29
Elizabeth Redden. “Following the Money in New Mexico.”
Inside Higher Ed
, April 2, 2009, <
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/04/02/unm
> (accessed February 24, 2010).
Elizabeth Redden. “Following the Money in New Mexico.”
Inside Higher Ed
, April 2, 2009, <
http://www.insidehighered.com/news/2009/04/02/unm
> (accessed February 24, 2010).
30
Brad Schrade. “Tennessee College Bosses Cut Back on Travel.”
Nashville Tennessean
, December 11, 2008.
Brad Schrade. “Tennessee College Bosses Cut Back on Travel.”
Nashville Tennessean
, December 11, 2008.
31
Ibid.
Ibid.
32
Jilian Mincer. “State Budget Cuts Push Tuition Higher.”
Wall Street Journal
, October 17, 2008.
Jilian Mincer. “State Budget Cuts Push Tuition Higher.”
Wall Street Journal
, October 17, 2008.
33
Richard Vedder.
Going Broke by Degree
:
Why College Costs Too Much
(Washington, DC: AEI Press, 2004), xviii.
Richard Vedder.
Going Broke by Degree
:
Why College Costs Too Much
(Washington, DC: AEI Press, 2004), xviii.
34
Ibid., 8.
Ibid., 8.
35
Goldie Blumenstyk. “The $375-Billion Dollar Question: Why Does College Cost So Much?”
Chronicle of Higher Education
, October 3, 2008, Volume 55 (6): A1, <
http://chronicle.com/article/The-375-Billion-Question-/26459/
> (accessed February 16, 2010).
Goldie Blumenstyk. “The $375-Billion Dollar Question: Why Does College Cost So Much?”
Chronicle of Higher Education
, October 3, 2008, Volume 55 (6): A1, <
http://chronicle.com/article/The-375-Billion-Question-/26459/
> (accessed February 16, 2010).
36
Associated Press. “New York AG Alleges Student Loan Corruption.” March 16, 2007.
Associated Press. “New York AG Alleges Student Loan Corruption.” March 16, 2007.
37
Ibid.
Ibid.
38
Collinge, 1-21.
Collinge, 1-21.
39
Ibid., 13-18.
Ibid., 13-18.
40
John O’Brien. “Cuomo Looking into Student Loan Marketing.”
Legal Newswire
, October 12, 2007.
John O’Brien. “Cuomo Looking into Student Loan Marketing.”
Legal Newswire
, October 12, 2007.
41
Collinge, 79.
Collinge, 79.
42
Karen Arenson. “Columbia Fires Its Director of Student Aid.”
New York Times
, May 22, 2007. See also Jonathan D, Glater, “University of Texas Fires Officer over Tie to Loan Company.”
New York Times
, May 15, 2007.
Karen Arenson. “Columbia Fires Its Director of Student Aid.”
New York Times
, May 22, 2007. See also Jonathan D, Glater, “University of Texas Fires Officer over Tie to Loan Company.”
New York Times
, May 15, 2007.
43
Ibid.
Ibid.
44
Collinge, 89.
Collinge, 89.
45
Ibid., 79.
Ibid., 79.
46
Ibid., 83.
Ibid., 83.
47
Ibid., 91.
Ibid., 91.
48
Jessica Silver-Greenberg. “The Dirty Secret of Campus Credit Cards.”
BusinessWeek
, September 6, 2007, <
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/sep2007/db2007095_053822.htm
> (accessed February 24, 2010).
Jessica Silver-Greenberg. “The Dirty Secret of Campus Credit Cards.”
BusinessWeek
, September 6, 2007, <
http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/content/sep2007/db2007095_053822.htm
> (accessed February 24, 2010).
49
Tamara Draut.
Strapped: Why America’s 20- and 30-Somethings Can’t Get Ahead
(New York: Doubleday, 2006), 110.
Tamara Draut.
Strapped: Why America’s 20- and 30-Somethings Can’t Get Ahead
(New York: Doubleday, 2006), 110.
50
Marc Scheer.
No Sucker Left Behind: Avoiding the Great College Rip-off
(Monroe, Maine: Common Courage Press, 2005), 39. See also “Don’t Leave College Without It.”
Mother Jones
, March/April 2002; Robert D. Manning.
Credit Card Nation: The Consequences of America’s Addiction to Credit
(New York: Basic Books, 2000).
Marc Scheer.
No Sucker Left Behind: Avoiding the Great College Rip-off
(Monroe, Maine: Common Courage Press, 2005), 39. See also “Don’t Leave College Without It.”
Mother Jones
, March/April 2002; Robert D. Manning.
Credit Card Nation: The Consequences of America’s Addiction to Credit
(New York: Basic Books, 2000).
51
Silver-Greenberg.
Silver-Greenberg.
52
Ibid.
Ibid.
53
David Tirrell-Wysocki. “Study: Many College Students Over Their Heads in Debt.” Associated Press, March 12, 2008.
David Tirrell-Wysocki. “Study: Many College Students Over Their Heads in Debt.” Associated Press, March 12, 2008.
54
Ibid.
Ibid.
55
Silver-Greenberg.
Silver-Greenberg.
56
Eileen A. J. Connelly. “Mixed Blessing: Credit Card Reform May Shock Some.” Associated Press, February 22, 2010.
Eileen A. J. Connelly. “Mixed Blessing: Credit Card Reform May Shock Some.” Associated Press, February 22, 2010.
57
Tamar Lewin. “Lawsuit Takes Aim at College’s Billing Practices for Study Abroad.”
New York Times,
March 9, 2008.
Tamar Lewin. “Lawsuit Takes Aim at College’s Billing Practices for Study Abroad.”
New York Times,
March 9, 2008.
58
Ibid.
Ibid.
59
Jonathan D. Glater. “Inquiry of Study Abroad Programs Grows.”
New York Times
, January 21, 2008.
Jonathan D. Glater. “Inquiry of Study Abroad Programs Grows.”
New York Times
, January 21, 2008.
60
Declining by Degrees: Higher Education at Risk
. DVD, PBS Home Video, 2005.
Declining by Degrees: Higher Education at Risk
. DVD, PBS Home Video, 2005.
61
Ibid.
Ibid.
62
Ibid.
Ibid.
63
Julie Johnson Kidd. “It Is Only a Port of Call: Reflections on the State of Higher Education,” in
Declining by Degrees
, Richard H. Hersh and John Merrow, eds. (New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2005), 195.
Julie Johnson Kidd. “It Is Only a Port of Call: Reflections on the State of Higher Education,” in
Declining by Degrees
, Richard H. Hersh and John Merrow, eds. (New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2005), 195.
64
Dave Newbart. “‘Dumbed Down’ College Math Courses Ripped by U. of C. Prof.”
Chicago Sun-Times
, January 17, 2003.
Dave Newbart. “‘Dumbed Down’ College Math Courses Ripped by U. of C. Prof.”
Chicago Sun-Times
, January 17, 2003.
65
Lianne George. “Dumbed Down,”
Maclean’s
, November 7, 2008, <
http://www2.macleans.ca/2008/11/07/dumbed-down/
> (accessed February 24, 2010).
Lianne George. “Dumbed Down,”
Maclean’s
, November 7, 2008, <
http://www2.macleans.ca/2008/11/07/dumbed-down/
> (accessed February 24, 2010).
66
Mike Flatt. “We Pay Your Salary.”
Spectrum
(SUNY Buffalo), Volume 55 (60): February 22, 2006.
Mike Flatt. “We Pay Your Salary.”
Spectrum
(SUNY Buffalo), Volume 55 (60): February 22, 2006.
67
Declining by Degrees
, DVD.
Declining by Degrees
, DVD.
68
Derek Bruff.
Teaching With Classroom Response Systems: Creating Active Learning Environments
(San Francisco, California: Jossey-Bass, 2009).
Derek Bruff.
Teaching With Classroom Response Systems: Creating Active Learning Environments
(San Francisco, California: Jossey-Bass, 2009).
69
Sara Rimer. “At 71, Physics Professor Is a Web Star.”
New York Times
, December 19, 2007.
Sara Rimer. “At 71, Physics Professor Is a Web Star.”
New York Times
, December 19, 2007.
70
Gene Hartley. “Pyro Professor Has a Blast.”
KY3 News
, October 27, 2008.
Gene Hartley. “Pyro Professor Has a Blast.”
KY3 News
, October 27, 2008.
71
Stuart Rojstaczer. “Where All Grades Are Above Average.”
Washington Post
, January 28, 2003.
Stuart Rojstaczer. “Where All Grades Are Above Average.”
Washington Post
, January 28, 2003.
72
Ibid.
Ibid.
73
Alicia Shepard. “A’s for Everyone! In an Era of Rampant Grade Inflation, Some College Students Find It Shocking to Discover That There Are 26 Letters in the Alphabet.”
Washington Post Magazine
, June 5, 2005.
Alicia Shepard. “A’s for Everyone! In an Era of Rampant Grade Inflation, Some College Students Find It Shocking to Discover That There Are 26 Letters in the Alphabet.”
Washington Post Magazine
, June 5, 2005.
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