COMMENTARY with VIDEO: What Makes Higher Education “Higher”?
"The short video is one example of what enables education to bear the audacious label, HIGHER."
Monthly Archive: May 2026
COMMENTARY By B.M. Ryan: “A Republic Needs More Observers, More Neighbors, More Citizens”.
"The republic needs more observers. More neighbors. More citizens."
June 21, 2026/
Public Higher Ed/
Commentary on the Michigan State Situation: “Spartan Ventures Merited Intense Scrutiny from the Board”
Headline, Detroit News: "Board meddling didn't cost Michigan State its president"
June 20, 2026/
Higher Ed, MSU, Neoliberalism, Public Higher Ed, Society/
REMEMBRANCE: We are Educators, and Why We Are … Well, Read On ….
I taught him years ago. Years later, Jim opened the door and walked into my life again.
June 19, 2026/
Education, Perspectives, Society/
NEWS BRIEFS: Change.Org Petition Seeks to Solve MSU Woes By Removing Three Trustees from Office
From Change.org: “That is why I am calling for the resignation of Trustees Rema Vassar, Dennis Denno, and Mike Balow. This …
June 18, 2026/
MSU, News Briefs, Public Higher Ed/
NEWS BRIEFS: Basketball Coach Izzo Wants MSU Alumni to Respond to the University’s Administrative Departures
"Izzo told the (Detroit) Free Press he plans to speak more publicly in the future."
June 17, 2026/
MSU, News Briefs/
PERSPECTIVES: Alumnus Believes Board Dysfunction at the Heart of MSU’s Plight
"The board’s obligation is to the university (and its stakeholders) – not to political positioning or public grandstanding."
June 16, 2026/
Public Higher Ed/
VIDEO: WJR’s Ryan Ermanni Interviews MSU Trustee Mike Balow
"They discuss the departure of MSU AD Batt to Kentucky and President Guskiewicz departure for Clemson."
June 15, 2026/
Public Higher Ed/
NEWS BRIEFS: AAUP Takes Action Because “What Happens in Texas Does Not Stay in Texas”
"In Texas, there is systematic, statewide political interference that can’t be adequately addressed on a case-by-case basis.”
June 10, 2026/
Fascist Neoliberalism, News Briefs, Public Higher Ed, Society/
NEWS BRIEFS: More Academic Repression, This Time At Auburn
Prof Elijah Gaddis: Campas morale “is as low as it’s ever been” after a year of “attacks on faculty and …
June 9, 2026/
Fascist Neoliberalism, Higher Ed, Public Higher Ed, Society/
NEWS BRIEFS: Full Court Press at Michigan State, “We Love Ken!”
Alternative, including, dissenting voices don't count.
June 8, 2026/
Higher Ed, MSU, News Briefs, Public Higher Ed, Society/
NEWS BRIEFS: “Imposition” is the Appropriate Replacement Term to Describe U of Iowa’s Misnamed Center for Intellectual “Freedom”
"The center is part of a Republican push to balance what they view as overwhelmingly liberal viewpoints in public higher …
June 6, 2026/
Fascist Neoliberalism, Higher Ed, Public Higher Ed, Society/
NEWS BRIEFS: Inside Higher Education’s View of Current Turmoil at Michigan State
“That trustees’ criticism might ‘undermine’ the administration or Board decisions does not make it a legitimate target of censorship."
June 5, 2026/
MSU, News Briefs, Public Higher Ed/
Contrasting Perspectives on the Michigan State Situation
Here are two Op Ed's published on different public platforms on consecutive days.
June 4, 2026/
Higher Ed, MSU, Perspectives, Public Higher Ed/
NEWS BRIEFS: MI State Senator Calls Out MSU Board for its Suppression of Free Speech Policy
"Universities exist for the pursuit of truth, which often comes with debate, disagreement and conflict."
June 3, 2026/
MSU, Public Higher Ed, Society/