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Cutting costs -- or not -- in Pennsylvania
The current Chronicle of Higher Education contains a piece by the chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE), Dr. John C. Cavanaugh. Dr. Cavanaugh's article is full of disappointing logical fallacies. First, Cavanaugh sets up a straw man, suggesting that overpaid presidents and other such matters are the only real criticisms leveled at higher ed these days, when in fact the problem is of far greater magnitude, namely, that students are paying more and more while they are getting less and less. Cavanaugh's claims of increased quality, moreover, are hard to substantiate -- accreditation status surely is not the best metric for determining quality since it sets a very low bar. Finally, Cavanaugh implies that because costs -- as he has defined them -- have come down, there is no need for further cuts or evaluation. Surely, this logical error should be readily apparent.
Rather than making excuses, isn't it time for PASSHE's Board of Governors and the chancellor to redouble their efforts to ensure that students receive the low-cost, high-quality education they deserve?
Posted by Noah Mamis on March 13, 2009 at March 13, 2009 10:18 AM
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