Rebekah Wanic is a lecturer at the University of San Diego.
Grade inflation—higher grades awarded without a commensurate increase in learning—is a documented problem in higher education. It is fueled by a consumerist educational environment, the desire to please students and parents, the connection of student satisfaction surveys (e.g., “course evaluations”) with employment and promotion, and coddlers who view any source of student stress as problematic. Combined with […]
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Many, if not most, students attend university intending to enter the workforce upon graduation. But today’s climate of student-centered policies and social justice rhetoric often does the opposite. While much attention has been given to the harms of “diversity, equity, and inclusion” (DEI) initiatives, the rapid expansion of academic accommodations remains underexamined. Originally intended to […]
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In recent years, activism has become increasingly visible in academia, often permeating classrooms, faculty hiring practices, and research agendas. This trend has generated both support and concern across university campuses. While, in some cases, activism can be a powerful force for social change, its growing presence in academic settings has raised important questions about its […]
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In modern higher education, students hold unprecedented power over faculty and university governance. This influence, shaped by the combined forces of cancel culture, student consumerism, and administrative bloat, has shifted the traditional power dynamics, leading to significant consequences for how universities function and how faculty engage with students. Although student empowerment can sometimes drive positive change, […]
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