The Student Services Conundrum: Are American Universities Overdoing It?

American universities have been criticised for offering too many student services, with some commentators arguing that this has contributed to rising tuition fees. Students and their families have been blamed for the high cost of university education, with universities creating unnecessary luxury perks to attract students and voters. Universities have also been criticised for emphasising sports, which brings significant costs and little educational benefit. However, others argue that sports are essential at almost all US universities, with some profitable sports programmes.

The over-emphasis on sports

American universities have been criticized for their over-emphasis on sports, with higher education in the US being unique in its investment in highly competitive NCAA sports. This focus on sports, particularly American football and basketball, has seen the construction of large sports stadiums and arenas on campuses, bringing in billions in revenue.

The prominence of sports in American universities can be traced back to the early 20th century, when colleges began to offer organized sports as part of their curriculum. Over time, this has evolved and expanded, with sports teams and sporting events becoming a significant aspect of university life and culture. This is in contrast to the earlier years of higher education in the US, where there were no organized sports.

The emphasis on sports in American universities has led to a situation where, in most states, the highest-paid public employee is a college football or basketball coach. This indicates the level of priority and investment placed on sports by these educational institutions.

Additionally, the structure of American universities often contributes to the prominence of sports. The decentralized nature of public universities, with each state supporting at least one, leads to competition and the desire to excel in various areas, including sports. The existence of private universities, which rely on private funding and tuition fees, further intensifies this competition.

The impact of this over-emphasis on sports is seen in the resources allocated to sports teams and facilities, which can divert attention and funds from academic pursuits. This has resulted in a perception that sports are valued over academics in American universities, contributing to skepticism about the value of higher education in the country.

Too many frills

Students and parents are often to blame for the high tuition fees at American universities. One reason for this is the number of unnecessary luxury perks that universities create to attract students. Students should not be drawn to a university because of its "frills", and university boards of directors should instead aim to maximise how every dollar increases the long-term success of students.

Students are often asked to vote on new projects, and by saying yes, they effectively vote to increase their tuition fees. For example, some US universities are currently building "lazy rivers" in their pools. While it might be cool to have one of these at your university, it is simply not worth it. Another trick many universities engage in is to justify the tuition fee by citing the frill; in reality, the frill justifies the price. Simple logic dictates that the fewer frills a university has, the cheaper the fees would be. But unfortunately, community colleges (universities with next to no frills) have a poor reputation, which is a shame; math is going to be difficult regardless of whether or not you have a lazy river on campus.

Loss of public funding

American universities have been facing a loss of public funding over the years, with states cutting back on their annual funding for higher education. This has resulted in a $9 billion reduction in funding over the last decade, when adjusted for inflation. The decline in state funding has had a significant impact on universities, leading to increases in tuition fees and a shift in the burden of costs to students and their families.

The reduction in state funding has contributed to rapid and significant tuition increases, making it more difficult for students to enrol and graduate. This has particularly affected low-income students and students of colour, as rising tuition can deter them from pursuing higher education. Overall state funding for public two- and four-year colleges in the 2018 school year was more than $6.6 billion below what it was in 2008, even after adjusting for inflation.

The loss of public funding has also led to universities cutting costs by reducing faculty positions, limiting course offerings, and in some cases, closing down campuses. Additionally, there has been a decline in the quality of education, with larger class sizes and a reduction in the number of courses offered. The average professor is in class only six to nine hours a week, and in some cases, teaching assistants teach a significant portion of introductory classes.

The decrease in state support has had a greater impact on public institutions, as they rely more heavily on state and local appropriations. Private institutions, on the other hand, tend to rely more on private giving and endowment funds. However, even private institutions have faced financial challenges due to the decline in state and federal aid.

The loss of public funding has far-reaching consequences, not only for universities but also for society as a whole. Higher tuition fees threaten affordability and access to education, leading to a more significant socioeconomic gap. It also impacts the country's competitiveness in the global knowledge economy, as a well-educated workforce is crucial for economic growth and development.

To address the loss of public funding, universities have had to increase tuition fees and rely more on private donations and endowment funds. However, these sources may not be sufficient to cover the funding gap, and universities may continue to struggle financially. The financial crisis in higher education has also led to a decline in the quality of education and a decrease in the number of students enrolling in universities.

Bureaucracy

The state of California, for instance, now spends $1 billion more per year on prisons than on education. Consequently, students are expected to contribute more financially to make up for the shortfall in government funding. This shift in funding sources has had a significant impact on the affordability of higher education in the US.

Additionally, the emphasis on sports in US universities also contributes to the problem. Sports are seen as essential, and universities often waive tuition fees for students who excel in athletic pursuits. The cost of maintaining these sports programs is substantial, and it is often passed on to the students in the form of higher tuition fees.

While some sports may be profitable for universities, it is worth noting that the highest-paid employees in almost every state are football coaches. The focus on sports and the associated costs have a significant impact on the overall affordability of higher education.

Grade inflation

Arguments for taking action on grade inflation:

• It reduces the incentive for bright students to excel, as mediocre work increasingly qualifies for top grades.
• It undermines the corrective feedback function of grading.
• It is not uniform between schools, which places students in more stringently graded schools and departments at a disadvantage.
• It is not uniform among disciplines.
• It makes it difficult to compare students who took their exams at different times.
• Prospective employers must rely on indicators other than grades, such as internships and work experience, to gauge a graduate's skill level and attitude.
• It can give students a false sense of knowledge and accomplishments if they do not realise they do not deserve the high grade.

Arguments against taking action on grade inflation:

• Higher grades at some schools may reflect better performance than others.
• Interdepartmental grading practices were not equal in the first place.
• It can motivate students of average ability to invest in an academic degree instead of learning a skilled trade at a vocational school.
• The US system still allows high-ability students to excel by offering courses with honours options and awarding valedictorians.

Historical Trends in Grade Inflation:

• A divergence in average grades between public and private institutions, starting in the 1950s.
• A widespread sharp rise in grades from the mid-1960s to mid-1970s (Vietnam War years).
• Relatively little change in grades from the mid-1970s to mid-1980s.
• A slow rise in grades from the mid-1980s to the present.

Recent Trends in Grade Inflation:

• A 2021 study from the National Bureau of Economic Research found a significant drop in completion rates between 1970 and 1990, but a steady improvement from 1990 to the present.
• A 2022 study linked grade inflation to rising graduation rates in the US since the 1990s because GPA strongly predicts graduation.
• A 2003 evaluation of grading practices in US colleges and universities showed that since the 1960s, grades in the US have risen at a rate of 0.15 per decade on a 4.0 scale.
• A 2009 study by Greg Mayer on Grade Inflation at the University of Waterloo reported that grade inflation was occurring there, with an 11.02% increase in undergraduate A grades from 1988/89 to 2006/07.

Examples of Grade Inflation in Practice:

• A 2003 article in the Alabama Observer revealed that several departments at the University of Alabama awarded more than 50% "A"s in introductory courses, with the Women's Studies department handing out 90% "A"s.
• In 2009, it was confirmed that Princeton University's 2004 guidelines for grading distributions across departments had brought undergraduate grades within the targeted ranges.
• In 2009, the University of Victoria and the University of British Columbia reduced the number of Grade 12 provincial exams required for high school students to gain admission, in order to better compete with central Canadian universities for students.

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