G.I.’s Jay Greene responds to ASU’s criticism

by David Safier

I had to find this on my own, because, so far as I can tell, it hasn't been publicized by the Goldwater Institute, but Jay Greene did in fact respond in reasonable detail to ASU's criticism of his report claiming university administrations are growing faster than their student population.

I'm posting about this because I've said Greene hasn't responded to the ASU charges directly, and I try to be an honest man who adds relevant information on a topic I'm discussing. I don't just write things that help make my argument.

But I'm a bit confused that G.I. hasn't publicized this rebuttal. Will it arrive in my email box soon as one of G.I.'s regular alerts? Has G.I. sent it directly to the people at ASU who criticized the report? Or is this a rebut-tree that makes no sound because it falls in the cyber-forest when no one is around?

As for Greene's rebuttal, I'm not going to weigh in on its quality, because I'm not knowledgeable enough to make reasonable judgements. My hope is that ASU has been given a copy so it can continue the discussion.

One thing I will add here, though. Beyond the conclusions Greene draws, correctly or incorrectly, from the data he assembles, he adds a suggestion for the best way to cut down on excess administration: cut back on government funding of universities.

The large and increasing rate of government subsidy for higher education facilitates administrative bloat by insulating students from the costs. Reducing government subsidies would do much to make universities more efficient.

Ah, yes. The answer is, reduce government involvement in education. Privatize, privatize, privatize. Let the invisible hand of the marketplace determine the cost of education and drive out all those folks who can't afford private college tuition.