This year, the Pope Center introduced a new feature: reader polls. We used the online polls to ask our readers about important controversies in higher education—from the higher education bubble to the role of single-sex education.
Looking back over the year reveals the Pope Center readers’ most pressing concerns: falling academic standards, the existence of a bubble in higher education, and unchecked student behavior. In most of our polls, the majority of readers agreed on a single choice, but check out our first and latest (February 18 and September 22).
Here are the results of those polls (with links to the original articles):
- February 18: What is your biggest concern about higher education?
- Falling academic standards 31.25% (50 votes)
- Overselling college and credential inflation 27.5% (44 votes)
- Runaway costs and spending 17.5% (28 votes)
- Bias on campus and in the classroom 15.63% (25 votes)
- Something else 8.13% (13 votes)
- March 11: What laws should states adopt on public sector collective bargaining?
- Public sector collective bargaining should be illegal 84.62% (264 votes)
- Public sector collective bargaining should be permitted but not required 12.82% (40 votes)
- Public sector collective bargaining should be required 1.6% (5 votes)
- None of the above 0.96% (3 votes)
- May 20: Do you think there is a higher education bubble?
- Yes, and it’s still inflating 58.77% (134 votes)
- Yes, and it’s about to burst 17.11% (39 votes)
- Yes, and it’s beginning to deflate 12.72% (29 votes)
- No, it’s impossible to compare higher education to assets like housing or stocks—they’re too different 7.46% (17 votes)
- No, the cost of higher education is commensurate with the value graduates receive 2.63% (6 votes)
- None of the above 1.32% (3 votes)
- June 23: Should universities return to traditional rules on student behavior–such as implementing same-sex and alcohol-free dorms?
- Yes, at all schools 57.26% (71 votes)
- Both traditional and modern student-life options should be available on campus 22.58% (28 votes)
- No, in loco parentis is antiquated and unnecessary 11.29% (14 votes)
- Yes, at religious schools only 6.45% (8 votes)
- Other 2.42% (3 votes)
- August 11: Do women’s colleges have a place in modern education?
- Absolutely! Women’s colleges offer a unique experience that will always be valuable. 73.99% (165 votes)
- Yes. As long as demand exists, there should be women’s colleges to meet it. 21.08% (47 votes)
- No. Single-sex education is obsolete! 4.04% (9 votes)
- Other 0.9% (2 votes)
- September 22: How should universities address students’ low academic performance?
- Flunk low-performing students (No more grade inflation!) 35.71% (145 votes)
- Improve K-12 education 26.6% (108 votes)
- Increase admissions standards 23.4% (95 votes)
- Enhance academic support programs (tutoring, mentoring, advising) 7.64% (31 votes)
- Other 3.94% (16 votes)
- More and better remedial programs at colleges and universities 2.71% (11 votes)