IN RESPONSE to the U.S. News & World Report's college rankings monopoly, The Washington Monthly responded with their own definition of "best" college. Editors of the political monthly apply President John F. Kennedy's "Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country" maxim to college life.
U.S. News rankings focus on academic excellence and reputation, whereas The Washington Monthly praises "productive" institutions which benefit society. Although academic quality is crucial to choosing the right college, more emphasis should be placed on the latter criterion. With financial resources, research capabilities and educational opportunities, colleges can improve society, not just struggle for elite reputations.
The Washington Monthly used three criteria for undergraduate institutions: "engines of social mobility, they should produce the academic minds and scientific research that advance knowledge and drive economic growth, and they should inculcate and encourage an ethic of service."
On the rankings list (to be published in the September edition of The Washington Monthly), the University ranks 22nd overall and fell to number 11 among public schools. In the U.S. News edition, the University placed 23rd overall and retained its second-place public school ranking. Why the drop among public schools in The Washington Monthly ranking?
The article cited the University's lack of Pell Grant recipients. For example, Indiana University's percentage of Pell Grant recipients is twice the percentage at the University. Therefore, U.Va. did not recruit as many lower-income students or do as much to alleviate national wealth disparities.
Many will respond that academic rigor for students should not be compromised forthe benefit of others. Yet with millions of dollars at their disposal and government funding from federal, state and local levels, colleges should focus on helping those within the institution and those outside of campus.
The University's community service network at Madison House, its ROTC program, support for research and the AccessUVa financial aid program lead the institution's societal production. But do students and parents look at college education as an opportunity to improve society? The answer is generally no. Academic production, no matter the field, is a higher priority.
The Washington Monthly rewards universities that produce knowledgeable students who want to serve their country, help the less fortunate, find medical cures, etc. This is more desirable than the business student who strives to run international investment firms which may exploit Third World sweatshop workers and take advantage of the poor.
So will students run to The Washington Monthly for college advice? Probably not. Students and parents want to invest their money at the best institution, which is normally defined as being the best academically and having the strongest reputation. Therefore, colleges have an institutional responsibility to downplay the U.S. News academic criteria and look to improve society. To maintain academic excellence and to improve society for generations to come are admirable, equally important goals -- yet the latter often succumbs to the former on priority lists.
To restrict the goals of undergraduate institutions to the education of its students is unproductive in larger social contexts. Community service, medical research, national service and poverty relief are easily integrated into academic programs at universities like MIT, UCLA and Berkeley (the top three schools on The Washington Monthly's list). The editors are not suggesting a "Peace Corps" education -- but students should be mindful of the problems surrounding their institution and how to best use these resources to solve societal inadequacies.
It is a massive waste of money and time to ignore societal responsibilities. Colleges have the funding and resources in place to bring about change to the society we live in. U.S. News and other ranking lists allow society to forget these responsibilities and focus on academic reputation. Yet in order to assure our wellbeing in the future, we need to reward beneficial and socially productive institutions.
Michael Behr's column appears Wednesdays in The Cavalier Daily. He can be reached at mbehr@cavalierdaily.com.
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