Elite Colleges have come under a lot of scrutiny lately. There are issues of free speech, political unrest and campus violence that have dominated the news, especially when speakers with different views attempt to speak. This is not an issue we feel is our role to tackle. However, another topic has recently come to light that while passing under the radar talks to the very essence of what education should/should not be about. So are elite colleges being ethical?
Should elite colleges make a profit? We are often told that the astronomical tuitions are necessary to cover the cost of an education. This may not always be the case. In addition to that argument, is one of who should be entitled to an education? Should an elite education only be the domain of elite, rich people?
Poor does not mean dumb
Recent studies from Georgetown University’s Center on Education and the Workforce show what many people have only theorized: the divide among the very rich and very poor has been growing. In the exclusive world of Ivy League colleges (elite colleges), the classes are dominated by students who come from the top 1% of the wealthy. There are few students who come from the bottom 1% of the economy.
Before we start to say, “So?” this is not about money but grades and academic potential. There are brilliant, low income students who can’t afford to get into elite colleges. Before we say “So?” again, let’s not forget the role of a college is not to make a profit but to educate. Right now, there are many, in fact hundreds (about 350) of elite colleges across the nation making a profit.
Most responsible colleges and universities select about 20% of their student body from the lower-income strata, balancing out the students at the other end who can afford the higher tuition. However, in this case, “Most,” should not be confused with “All.”
It is no mystery that the college a student attends greatly influences the potential of a student to graduate and to often get better jobs and placement. The government has long known this, and that is why the Pell Grant program was created. This is financial assistance for students whose families earn less than $30,000 per year. The assistance is not a lot of money, but it does help a child to get in the doors of an institution of higher learning.
Again, some might be inclined to say, “So?” That is an attitude perhaps, of saying so what’s the problem? The student gets the financial aid and can now go to a mediocre college and live happily ever after.
Not so fast on that line of reasoning either! Suppose that child is brilliant. Off the charts brilliant. He or she applies to an elite school that is making a profit and gets refused because of a lack of money. Is that ethical? Please remember again that elite or not, colleges and universities are mandated by law to serve the purpose of education, not to line anyone’s pockets. Also, let’s not be naïve here, virtually every college or university in America benefits from grants supported by taxpayer money. If public money is used for programs why are they still profiting?
Senate legislation
While thousands of colleges are complying to enroll more qualified students of very modest means there are others (about 350 elite colleges) who are dragging their heels. While the last thing anyone wants or needs is more legislation, last year legislation was introduced to require schools to increase low-income enrollment or face penalties. It should not come down to that, it should come down to good ethics.
At some point, even the professors who teach ethics, and those above them, need to get out of their comfort zones and explore the ethical realities of their own worlds. While education has gotten extremely expensive for everyone, to deny a brilliant student access for a shortfall in funding is morally repugnant, especially when the school is turning a profit.
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