No Mercy / No Malice: Rot

Admin Bloat

The expansion of administrative roles in universities has significantly outpaced the growth of teaching faculty, leading to increased costs and a shift in focus away from education. George Hahn highlights that between 1976 and 2018, administrative positions grew by 452%, while full-time faculty increased by only 92% 1. This administrative bloat has resulted in high salaries for non-teaching roles, such as diversity and inclusion positions, which often earn double or triple what teaching faculty make 1.

Administration begets more administration. It's the nature of the disease.

--- George Hahn

The unchecked growth of bureaucracy is seen as parasitic, with many administrative staff questioning the societal value of their roles 1.

   

Tuition Costs

Rising tuition costs are closely linked to the burgeoning university bureaucracy, which prioritizes administrative expansion over educational investment. George Hahn describes this as a 'metastasizing cancer' that burdens graduates with debt while university leaders focus on increasing their compensation and reducing accountability 2. Despite the financial strain on students, Hahn suggests that the system can be reformed by reducing tuition and expanding enrollments through strategic investments 3.

The good news? This can be fixed.

--- George Hahn

He proposes a federal investment plan to incentivize universities to lower costs and broaden access to education 3.

   

Inequality

Elite universities perpetuate socioeconomic inequality by favoring wealthy students, thus reshuffling the elites rather than promoting true diversity. George Hahn notes that while elite schools have become more diverse in terms of race, the majority of students still come from the wealthiest families 2. This systemic inequality is further highlighted by a recent lawsuit where elite colleges were accused of colluding to fix financial aid offers, undermining the principle of need-blind admissions 4.

American universities are supposed to define what's great about America, opportunity and upward mobility.

--- Scott Galloway

The lawsuit underscores the deep-rooted issues within higher education that prioritize financial gain over equitable access 4.