More from the Chronicle...

This is from an article entitled:  "Higher Education Isn't Meeting the Public's Needs"  by Frank Newman, Lara Couturier, and Jamie Scurry:

"Academic freedom was designed so that academics would be free to teach and speak on controversial topics, and campuses could tolerate--even encourage--discussion that helped illuminate crucial public issues.  But the amount and type of debate taking place on campus have changed markedly in recent years.

In part, fund raising has made presidents avoid taking positions that might upset their institutions' patrons.  The salaries of college presidents are also often supplemented by private money and can obligate presidents to donors who have contributed to their personal compensation.  Clara M. Lovett, president of the American Association for Higher Education, also blames the presidential search process, which 'screens out potential intellectual and educational leaders in favor of men and women who look, speak, and act like candidates for political office.'

The privilege of serving as an open center of analysis and debate allows higher education to make a critical contribution to the democratic functioning of society.  If it is not used regularly, it will wither."

Comments?