Category: Academia

GW Students Call for RFK, Jr. to be Barred from Campus

Last night, my torts class was briefly interrupted by the sounds of protests on campus over the appearance of Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the health secretary, on campus. The large protest itself was not a problem. As the vice president of the Disabled Students Collective (DSC) stated publicly, the students were “using our own free speech to protest Kennedy’s presence on campus.” The problem was the petition circulated by the DSC, signed by hundreds at GWU, calling for Kennedy to be prevented from exercising his own free speech. Indeed, it calls for Kennedy to be barred from campus for spreading “misinformation.” It seems that, once again, the tolerance for free speech only goes so far. Continue reading “GW Students Call for RFK, Jr. to be Barred from Campus”

How to Reverse the Dumbing Down of American Higher Education

Below is my column in The Hill on universities reporting soaring grade inflation and failing academic standards. Some of us have been writing about this trend for years, but there is little sign of commitment from departments that they are willing to take action to restore academic standards. Any solution will require a national compact of willing schools, a critical mass of institutions willing to adopt a standard curve and basic admission reforms.

Here is the column: Continue reading “How to Reverse the Dumbing Down of American Higher Education”

The Justice Department Launches Investigation into Security Failures at the Berkeley TPUSA Event

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced this week that it is investigating the University of California, Berkeley, over the security arrangements for the Turning Point USA (TPUSA) event. Antifa and others threatened many entering or leaving the event, including reportedly blocking hundreds from the sold-out event to celebrate free speech and the legacy of murdered Charlie Kirk.

Continue reading “The Justice Department Launches Investigation into Security Failures at the Berkeley TPUSA Event”

MSU Under Fire for Radical Teacher Training Materials on Race and Capitalism

Michigan State University’s College of Education is under scrutiny for its radical training materials for teachers as part of its program, “Social Foundations of Justice and Equity in Education.” The material includes radical race theories and a video of Communist and Black Panther Angela Davis explaining that “racism is integrally linked to capitalism.” Continue reading “MSU Under Fire for Radical Teacher Training Materials on Race and Capitalism”

Iowa Student Arrested After Two Attacks on Conservative Displays on Campus

Justin Calhoon mugshotThis week, we have another attack on a display by conservative students at a U.S. university. Student members of Turning Point USA watched as a student, Justice Calhoon, flipped over their table at the University of Iowa. Notably, Calhoon had previously tossed a table of the school’s Young America’s Foundation (YAF) just days before. Calhoon has now been arrested. Continue reading “Iowa Student Arrested After Two Attacks on Conservative Displays on Campus”

“You Do Not Deserve a Conversation”: OSU Student Trashes Conservative Student Table

We have another incident of a student trashing a conservative table while expressing absolute impunity to do so. The Young America’s Foundation (YAF) at Oklahoma State University had a table supporting traditional marriage when a student tossed their material and claimed the absolute right to vandalize opposing views on campus. Continue reading ““You Do Not Deserve a Conversation”: OSU Student Trashes Conservative Student Table”

Harvard’s Unblinking Hypocrisy: Dean Retained After Denouncing ‘Evil’ Police, ‘Whiteness’

Below is my column in the Hill on the hypocrisy of Harvard in yet another controversy involving a resident house dean. Gregory Davis is accused of hateful, racist messages, but, so far, it is not viewed as “untenable” by the university. His rage is righteous in the view of many.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Harvard’s Unblinking Hypocrisy: Dean Retained After Denouncing ‘Evil’ Police, ‘Whiteness’”

“We Don’t Want his Likeness on Campus”: Protesters Move to Block Kirk Memorial at UVU

A plan at Utah Valley University (UVU) to create a memorial to Charlie Kirk has been met by protests and a petition signed by thousands to block the effort. One protester declared, “We don’t want his likeness on campus.” That is hardly a new sentiment since Kirk was assassinated on the campus on Sept. 10, 2025. However, the protest shows the sense of license that many have in opposing anyone with conflicting views, including those represented in memorials. Continue reading ““We Don’t Want his Likeness on Campus”: Protesters Move to Block Kirk Memorial at UVU”

“What am I Willing to Burn”? Howard Journalism Professor Calls for Whites to Emulate John Brown

Stacey Patton, professor of journalism at Howard University, has caused an uproar with her advice to white people who want to oppose this Administration. Patton told them that they had to follow the path of John Brown, who led a bloodbath before the Civil War that included killing white slave owners and pro-slave settlers. Continue reading ““What am I Willing to Burn”? Howard Journalism Professor Calls for Whites to Emulate John Brown”

Switzerland Goes to War Against Free Speech: Man Jailed for Claiming that Skeletons Reflect Gender

Switzerland was famous (or infamous) for staying neutral in World War II. It simply would not take a side between the Nazis and the rest of the world. However, when it comes to free speech, Switzerland has declared war on anyone who challenges certain orthodox positions, including gender policies. Just ask Emanuel Brünisholz. Continue reading “Switzerland Goes to War Against Free Speech: Man Jailed for Claiming that Skeletons Reflect Gender”

“Jesus Did It”: Illinois State University Teacher’s Assistant Arrested After Trashing TPUSA Table

There has been a massive increase in Turning Point chapters and membership following the assassination of founder Charlie Kirk. Students who felt chilled in their ability to express their faith or values on campus stepped forward after the murder. That does not sit well with some faculty. One example is Derek Lopez, a teacher’s assistant and graduate student at Illinois State University, who was shown trashing a TPUSA table and mocking the shocked students. He was later arrested. Continue reading ““Jesus Did It”: Illinois State University Teacher’s Assistant Arrested After Trashing TPUSA Table”

AAUP President Demands Weapons Boycott on Israel and Attacks Trump Supporters as “Fascists”

The American Association of University Professors (AAUP) has long been criticized for far-left policies and activism. Some of us have criticized the organization for ignoring academic priorities and the record-low polling on public trust in higher education. Its president, Todd Wolfson, is now taking that activism global with a boycott policy that leaves little room for faculty members who support Israel. Continue reading “AAUP President Demands Weapons Boycott on Israel and Attacks Trump Supporters as “Fascists””

Johns Hopkins Professor Argues Against Intellectual Diversity in Higher Education

We previously discussed how the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) elected an outspoken activist as its president. The selection of Todd Wolfson, a Rutgers University anthropologist, was viewed by many as the AAUP doubling down on support for academic activism and opposition to intellectual diversity. Now the leading AAUP publication, Academe, has run ‘Seven Theses Against Viewpoint Diversity.’ Written by Lisa Siraganian, the J. R. Herbert Boone Chair in Humanities and professor at Johns Hopkins University, the essay repeats the tired rationalizations of faculty members to excuse their purging of schools of dissenting and largely conservative or libertarian voices. Continue reading “Johns Hopkins Professor Argues Against Intellectual Diversity in Higher Education”

Princeton Joins Move Back to Standardized Testing

Princeton University announced this week that it will be reinstating the requirement for undergraduate applicants to submit standardized test scores in the 2027–28 admissions cycle. It is only the latest reversal for an ill-conceived and poorly supported movement to achieve greater equity and diversity by eliminating standardized testing in higher education. Continue reading “Princeton Joins Move Back to Standardized Testing”

Mamdani’s Plan to Ruin the New York Educational System

Below is my column in The Hill on the pledge of Zohran Mamdani to end some of the early Gifted and Talented programs in the New York educational system.  The move is part of a national campaign against such programs as racist or privileged due to the higher percentage of White and Asian students who qualify. The fear is that the Mamdani administration will return to the disastrous policies of the de Blasio administration in rolling back on the programs.

Here is the column: Continue reading “Mamdani’s Plan to Ruin the New York Educational System”