To Hell On a Mortar Board

By Andrew Wallace

November 4, 2023

Over a quarter-century ago when I was an assistant professor, I wrote a paper for Florida Trend titled “To Hell On A Mortar Board.” I pointed out many of the shortcomings in higher education, to which my faculty associates took serious exception. This sequel will point out much more serious problems with higher education, of a different nature.

Prior to World War Two, most college students were either self-selected and motivated, or the children of wealthy parents. Some students majored in subjects that prepared them for career employment, such as engineering, accounting, and education.

Others majored in Liberal Arts which was, and still is, the best education, but only cost-effective for really bright students. When I use the word ‘liberal’, I am using it as intended, not in today’s hijacked Communist version.

After the Second World War until the late seventies, there was an influx of older motivated veterans educated on the GI Bill. At this time there were ample employment opportunities for graduates with any degree. The American Dream was alive; families could own a home and an automobile, the wife could remain at home and take care of the family. To me, this was the best period in our history.

It was during this period that many parents became convinced that their children must get a college education to experience the good life. Almost anyone with a degree could get a job during this period. That is not true today, when only those who majored in fields required by industry, or the small percentage of really bright or talented students, were employable.

But the heyday of employing people with just any degree is over.

The universities took advantage of this trend by increasing tuition costs and fees, supported by student loans.

Universities also added all manner of worthless majors and promoted Communism. I am not saying there is no value in a college education. There is. But the Economic Opportunity Cost is exorbitant for all but the really talented and those with high IQs. The student-loan debt and the bankrupting of the parent’s retirements is obscene.

The end result too often is that college graduates are living with their parents, and student-loan debts preclude home ownership. Surprise, this is one of Communism’s main goals, in harmony with “You will have nothing and be happy”.

In simple terms, there are two types of majors. One is the major degree in fields such as accounting, education, and nursing which prepare the student for professional employment. Most of the others purport to prepare a student to be the top dog in a field.

There are two things wrong with this supposition. First, the student lacks the basic skills and experience to work their way up the ladder, and, most importantly, they lack the IQ required (upper 2%–IQ of 130). I am in no way denigrating those with lower IQs. They have other abilities that the high-IQ people do not posses. This is not supposition; I seldom had more than one really bright student that was capable of functioning at the level for which the course was projected.

It is now apparent that there is more security in employment that does not require an expensive college degree. Just looking at the problem, one must arrive at the conclusion that more than 50% of government funds for universities should be transferred to the trades. The public should not pay for a mostly worthless education, fun and games, and a lifetime of debt.

Following are just a few of the worthless majors offered by a major university best known for its Communist indoctrination:

theater production, advertising, African- American studies, communications, dance, information systems, interdisciplinary studies, international studies, journalism, public relations, art history, art, and music.

Some of these courses would have value to highly-gifted students who have the talents required. You either have an exceptional talent for dance, art, and music, or you are wasting your time and the public’s money. To profit from many majors that don’t require talent, you need a high IQ of 130 or more.

Many managers require college degrees to enhance their own positions and reduce competition. Many advanced degrees are an acknowledgment that high school and college were inadequate. There is a policy of collecting advanced degrees (like Boy Scouts collect merit badges) for higher pay. This is wrong and counterproductive.

The universities are riding a wave that disappeared years ago. Greed and arrogance got the better of them, and the public pays for it. Knowing a little bit about colleges, I doubt that they have the knowledge, ability and desire to reform on their own. Their lifestyle and commitment to Communism precludes their ability to reform. Our country can no longer afford the luxury of most college programs, which are a farce. At the very least 50% of college majors should be terminated as being useless or not cost- effective. In simple terms, society can no longer afford to waste its resources in this manner. We are supporting too much of the wrong kind of education and ignoring the education we need as a society.

God Bless You and The Republic

E-Mail Andrew Wallace: natlmktg@gte.net