Is There A Problem With Our Colleges? - Is it the students or the institutions?

INTRODUCTION:

Greetings. Before I begin, I hope everyone had a safe Memorial Day weekend. I usually do not say happy Memorial Day because the meaning of Memorial Day is often forgotten. Memorial Day is signified as the day we remember those who have lost their lives in the service of our country and the loss their families have had to cope with. I'm not convinced this is a time to be happy. Therefore, I simply wish everyone a safe Memorial Day weekend.

Decades ago, stores were closed on certain holidays. This allowed families to spend time together. A tradition, I believe, should be brought back. Holidays have become commercialized for profits. Any business could still run holiday sales, but I think they should return to being closed on these holidays. As a society, once we lose the true meaning of holidays, what traditional values are we passing on to our children for the future? Onto tonight's topic.

As someone who attended two universities in different cities, I can attest that times were much different years ago. We all realize that society changes over time, as most things do. However, if a protest had been organized when I went to school, it would have been peaceful and non-destructive, and violence would have been rare, not the norm. In addition, no one was attacked for their beliefs, religion, nationality, or any other reason. The rules of the universities were followed.

The truth is, we were there to learn, along with a degree of having fun and partying. The professors were there to instruct. Not try to mold our minds as to what to think or what they believe in. School policies were strictly enforced. Being in a college fraternity, we certainly pushed those limits. However, today, there is no respect for rules or the law. There is no respect for the property of others. I must ask myself. Where are the parents of these students? These are the same students who want student load relief. They want a free ride and can camp out on college campuses, make demands, destroy property, and violate the rights of others.

Yes, the workforce needs to look at the schools that support these actions and the students who graduate from these institutions. Why? Because these will be their new hires when these students graduate. The donors who donate tremendous amounts of money to these institutions as Alumni must realize that these are not the same institutions they attended years ago. Society and many of these institutions are exceptionally politically charged these days. All schools need to stay out of the political arena and focus on teaching their students, and the students should focus on learning. Let's get a bit deeper into this.

COLLEGES TODAY:

In the ever-evolving world of higher education, colleges face many challenges and opportunities that shape their institutional dynamics and impact students' education and future success. From the rise of online learning to the increasing financial burden of tuition costs, colleges must adapt and innovate to stay relevant and effective in preparing students for the complexities of the 21st-century workforce.

One of the most significant trends in colleges today is the growing prevalence of online learning and technology integration in the classroom. With the advancement of digital tools and platforms, students now have greater access to educational resources and can engage in learning inside and outside the traditional classroom setting. This shift towards digital education has expanded the reach of colleges to a broader audience and challenged institutions to rethink their teaching methods and curriculum to meet the needs of a digitally savvy generation.

However, the rapid expansion of online learning has also raised concerns about the quality and effectiveness of virtual education compared to the traditional face-to-face classroom experience. Colleges today must balance leveraging technology for innovation and ensuring that students receive a rigorous and comprehensive education that prepares them for the complexities of a globalized world.

Another pressing issue facing colleges today is the escalating tuition costs and the growing burden of student debt. As college tuition rises faster than inflation, many students are saddled with excessive debt upon graduation, limiting their financial freedom and opportunities for advancement. This economic pressure has prompted colleges to explore new methods of affordability, such as offering more scholarship and financial aid options, promoting dual enrollment programs, and partnering with employers to provide workforce development opportunities.

Moreover, colleges today are also grappling with the social pressure to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion on their campuses. As the country becomes increasingly diverse, colleges must create an inclusive environment that celebrates and supports students from all backgrounds. This includes implementing diversity and inclusion initiatives, investing in culturally responsive curriculum, and fostering a sense of belonging among marginalized student populations.

I am not against keeping up with society's changes, such as diversity, equity, and inclusion. However, issues arise in how this is accomplished. It will never be successful when any institution loses control when the students dictate to the institution what and how they want to learn. Anti-Semitism is unacceptable. It is against the principles and values of our nation. When we do not enforce the laws of our country and institutions, these laws will not be respected and hold little meaning.

WHO IS TO BLAME?:

Let's be clear. Any time a law is broken and not enforced, the blame lies with those charged with enforcing the law—PERIOD! With all the protests occurring across many campuses across the country, the sad part is that most attending them have no clue about the real issues and get drawn in. They now become part of the problem. Many of these protestors are outsiders, usually activist groups looking to cause trouble, compared to the fewer students that attend that university, which is causing trouble. However, rather than become part of the solution, they become part of the problem. They are now dragged into the mess.

Student activism has historically been a powerful force for social change, and college campuses have long been a breeding ground for passionate protests and demonstrations. From the civil rights movement of the 1960s to the more recent Black Lives Matter protests, students have played a crucial role in advocating for justice and equality.

Recently, student protests at college campuses have surged, drawing attention to various issues, including racial injustice, gender equality, climate change, and the rising cost of education. These protests take multiple forms, from peaceful marches and demonstrations to sit-ins and student strikes.

One key reason students engage in protests is to demand accountability from their institutions. Whether they're calling for greater diversity and inclusion on campus, seeking transparency in decision-making processes, or pushing for divestment from fossil fuels, students are using their collective voice to hold authorities accountable and push for change.

Notable student protests at college campuses include the 2015 Student movement at the University of Missouri, where students demanded action on institutional racism, leading to the resignation of the university's president. In 2018, the "March for Our Lives" movement, led by students from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in response to a mass shooting, sparked a national conversation on gun control.

Protests on college campuses also serve as a platform for student learning and empowerment. Students develop valuable constructive activism, leadership, and community engagement skills through organizing and participating in protests. They learn to mobilize support, communicate their message effectively, and negotiate with authorities. However, this is only when done properly.

However, student protests are not without challenges. They often face opposition from university administrations, law enforcement, and even fellow students who may disagree with their methods or goals. The primary problem is in their method. A protest does not have the right to take over the campus, stop the education process, damage property, threaten or cause harm to others, or violate the rights of others.

Students are trying to shape the future of their campus communities and society by speaking out against injustice, raising awareness on critical issues, and pushing for policy changes. As commendable as this may be, when outsiders with different agendas take over this process, the intent changes and problems occur. These are the problems we see today on our school campuses.

There is a right way to protest and a wrong way. When the line is not drawn, the institution does not immediately enforce the rules of how a protest should and will be conducted, and if these policies are broken, we will see the problems we are encountering now. Anyone can have their day in court, but they DO NOT own the court.

To answer the question of blame, I believe everyone is to blame. Most of these students have never had to live on their own. Many cannot even balance a checkbook. Therefore, they are naive to the real world and are easy targets for outsiders. As for the institutions, they are to blame for NOT enforcing the rules and setting the proper standards. The result is the students are looked down upon, as well as the institution. No one wins. Most parents will not want to pay this high tuition to send their child to a school that cannot control its campus. Employers will not want to hire students from these universities for fear of a lack of responsibility. It's a lose-lose situation.

However, this stems from more significant issues of cities and states that do not enforce the laws. Criminals go unpunished for crimes they commit, and there are all the other issues you read about on the news. This leads to what I call "A Mental State Of Entitlement." If they can do it, why can't I? If they can get away with it, why can't I? The truth is that these radical protests accomplish nothing. At best, it is a temporary fix to an existing problem that continues to go unaddressed. People walk into stores, take whatever they want, and leave without consequences, even if they get caught.

In the words of Ronald Reagan, "We must reject the idea that every time a law's broken, society is guilty rather than the lawbreaker. It is time to restore the American precept that each individual is accountable for his actions."

Thus, the result is an undivided country, an undivided society, and a lack of mutual respect for one another, the country, or the law. These things must be fixed first. You cannot have a dual justice system, allow Anti-Semitism to flourish, and expect these types of outbursts not to occur. Everyone shares in the blame.

IN CLOSING:

Colleges today face complex challenges and opportunities that require innovative solutions and a commitment to excellence in higher education. By embracing technology, addressing affordability issues, and promoting diversity and inclusion, colleges can position themselves as institutions of learning that prepare students for success in a rapidly changing world. Through collaboration and adaptation, colleges can navigate the complexities of the contemporary higher education landscape and continue providing students with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive. Stick to what you do best, and leave the rest to others.

We must always listen to our youth and hear their concerns. They are the future and should not be shut out. However, teaching them how to address and voice their concerns MUST be part of that process. Radical students and instructors are very few when compared to the total number of students and instructors who work and attend all our universities combined. However, it only takes a few apples to spoil the bunch. Another issue is publicity. These radical groups do this for publicity and publicity that the news networks provide. Maybe if the network news hadn't provided them with this platform and exploited the stories, these protests might not have gone on as long as they do. There are many opinions on this concept.

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Please feel free to leave comments, or if you have a topic you would like me to discuss, you can email me at crondina@caesarrondinaauthor.com. Thank you.

Be safe, stay well, and focus on being happy. And remember to always: