What happened on campus at University of Texas at Dallas on May 1, 2024 — and in its aftermath — makes no sense to me whatsoever. On that day, colleagues, students, community members and others were shackled and jailed. And while they were released within 24 hours,...
higher education
Elitism and the Rest of Us as the New Semester Begins
This week, most college and university campuses will open across the country. The ghastly war in Gaza continues and the U.S. has become more involved as it bombs Yemen. So, I am thinking about how unsettled the surround is as higher education institutions begin a new...
Academic Austerity Survival Kit: 15 Ways to Make It Through
It’s bad, really bad, in higher education these days. Whether the pandemic is over or ongoing, its continuing impact has catapulted colleges and universities into a maelstrom of student disengagement, faculty quiet quitting, outright resignations, and draconian budget...
No Laptops: How to Escape Screens for a Few Hours Each Week
As I walked through an academic building on the Ithaca College campus a few weeks ago, I peeked into a class and saw something that surprised me. This image is now so pervasive, I should not have been at all surprised. The professor stood at the head of the room...
A Pledge for Surviving Difficult Times in Higher Education
We are living in polarized times. Everyone I know stands firmly on one side or the other on issues of the day like “Don’t say gay,” reproductive rights, the pandemic, and the causes and consequences of climate change. These debates can negatively impact us as...