3. Are Alumni and Philanthropists Getting Their Money’s Worth from the Donations They Make to Colleges?
Not unlike political candidates, America’s most prestigious colleges constantly seek cash from their supporters. In 2006, according to the Council for Aid to Education, individuals, foundations, corporations, religious groups, and other organizations voluntarily contributed $28 billion to American colleges and universities.
Donors who care about the caliber of our future leaders should hold schools they support accountable for their performance in teaching about America. If a college to which they contribute has performed poorly, they should consider contacting the school’s administrators to discuss what is going wrong. Issues for discussion might include:
- Does the college fail to require or fail to offer the right courses?
- Does the college not invest in the best teachers or the right type of teachers for that campus?
- Does the college set expectations for students that are too low?
- Does the college administration —and does the faculty—place the same value on teaching about America that alumni and financial supporters do?
