No Mercy / No Malice: Rot

Admission Changes

Proposals for modifying admission policies aim to create more equitable access to education. George Hahn argues that the focus should not be on who gets admitted, but on increasing the number of available seats. He suggests a grand bargain where the federal government provides substantial funding to public universities in exchange for reduced tuition and expanded enrollment 1. This approach could double freshman seats and halve costs over a decade, offering greater opportunities for students who lack the resources for a traditional four-year degree.

Rejectionist nimbyism is only continuing the transfer of wealth from the young and poor to the incumbent, old and rich.

--- George Hahn

Hahn emphasizes the need for universities to adapt by increasing remote learning and utilizing campuses during non-peak periods to double capacity 1.

   

Financial Reform

The financial accessibility of higher education is under scrutiny, with proposals to reform tuition and financial aid. George Hahn highlights the administrative bloat at elite schools, which has led to increased tuition and student debt 2. He suggests that universities should reduce tuition annually and expand vocational programs, aligning with the needs of a diverse student body 1. This could transform universities from exclusive institutions into engines of upward mobility.

The emotionally charged, divisive fight over who gets in is a head fake. It's not about who, but how many.

--- George Hahn

Hahn also points out that elite institutions should increase their freshman class sizes to match population growth, or risk losing their tax-free status 1.