There are two schools of thought on the purpose of education (K-12 and “higher”). Some think that we go to school in order to master various skills and intellectual disciplines; others see school as a way of shaping good citizens for the welfare state and trying to reform the world. (Almost everyone on “the right” fall into the first group and most on “the left” fall into the second.) Alas, the set of people who have positioned themselves to become college presidents come almost exclusively from the second group. To them, wild and free debate over truth is much less important than “sensitivity” and having a “welcoming community of learners.” Free speech is only good if it helps advance their change agenda.
That’s why Larry Summers so enfuriated the faculty at Harvard. Although politically a liberal, educationally he is a traditionalist. Having a traditionalist running Harvard was just intolerable to the “reform the world” crowd that dominates the Harvard faculty.
Maybe the Kutztown guy should apply for the job.
