09-21-2009, 11:04 AM
Just curious here.
It seems that there are few out there willing to stand up for Non-Traditional education. I mean specifically that the cause of academic freedom is under attack from all sides. Most recently I read how the State of Oregon is passing even more laws to punish holders of unaccredited degrees. We already saw how the powers-that-be have used their heavy hand to drive out various institutions in Wyoming. Now many of these schools are actual Diploma Mills, which I would describe any pseudo-institution which takes money to confer unearned degrees. But some are simply schools which do require effort to graduate but for whatever reason do not conform to other someone's expectation of what should constitute a "college" or "University."
I would add that my own personal experience has been that some accredited colleges and programs are significantly less challenging than some of these institutions under attack.
Of course there is this board and I stand by the sidelines here and read all these attacks on individual liberty. My jaw drops at some of the activities of the academic elitists who try to dictate what and what cannot be legitimately called a college or university.
My question is this, now that we have identified our enemies, just who are our friends?
I did read the list that the Administrator gave and while I find these groups to be admirable, they do not seem to have much to say in defense of non-traditional education. I also tried contacting the Libertarian Party, a party which I have had some contact with in the past, but they really do not have a stand on this issue.
While I like this board immensely, and I respect all the people here, I want to do more than just whine. I want to have an active role in supporting the freedom of individuals whose academic careers may include study at institutions that do not conform to what others believe. I see this as a basic issue of freedom. Nothing more and nothing less.
Can someone steer me in the right direction?
Thanks
It seems that there are few out there willing to stand up for Non-Traditional education. I mean specifically that the cause of academic freedom is under attack from all sides. Most recently I read how the State of Oregon is passing even more laws to punish holders of unaccredited degrees. We already saw how the powers-that-be have used their heavy hand to drive out various institutions in Wyoming. Now many of these schools are actual Diploma Mills, which I would describe any pseudo-institution which takes money to confer unearned degrees. But some are simply schools which do require effort to graduate but for whatever reason do not conform to other someone's expectation of what should constitute a "college" or "University."
I would add that my own personal experience has been that some accredited colleges and programs are significantly less challenging than some of these institutions under attack.
Of course there is this board and I stand by the sidelines here and read all these attacks on individual liberty. My jaw drops at some of the activities of the academic elitists who try to dictate what and what cannot be legitimately called a college or university.
My question is this, now that we have identified our enemies, just who are our friends?
I did read the list that the Administrator gave and while I find these groups to be admirable, they do not seem to have much to say in defense of non-traditional education. I also tried contacting the Libertarian Party, a party which I have had some contact with in the past, but they really do not have a stand on this issue.
While I like this board immensely, and I respect all the people here, I want to do more than just whine. I want to have an active role in supporting the freedom of individuals whose academic careers may include study at institutions that do not conform to what others believe. I see this as a basic issue of freedom. Nothing more and nothing less.
Can someone steer me in the right direction?
Thanks
"None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free."
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe
Johann Wolfgang von Goethe