<p>In a recent, long article published in the Chronicle of Higher Education,( Chancellor Focuses on the 'Public Good,' Syracuse's Reputation Slides"), there has been a lot of controversy about Syracuse University. The chancellor, Nancy Cantor, has placed enormous emphasis over the years on political correctness. For example, she has spend millions purchasing and renovating buildings in downtown Syracuse in order to benefit the city. She has reduced merit aid scholarships in order to increase need based aid and attract a much more diverse student body and to attract more underprivileged and minority students. Affirmative action wasn't just a word but a real mandate that was implemented at all levels in all ways, according to the article. </p>
<p>The problem noted in the article is that these goals , while laudable, have been criticized by faculty because it has caused a decline in the rankings of Syracuse University from in the low 40's to 62. Even graduate school rankings have plummeted. Faculty members have noted that although they found what the Chancellor has done as praiseworthy, they felt that Syracuse didn't have enough of an endowment to achieve these goals and maintain or even increase the status of the university. </p>
<p>The article also goes on to say that many alumni, although not all alumni, felt that their degree has been watered down as a result of all this.</p>
<p>My point is that I predicted this five years ago! If you read my review of Syracuse Universaity that is currently found at the top of the Syracuse University Forum and entitled, "Overview of my visit to Syracuse University," you will see that I felt that they had misplaced priorities,which will come home to bite them eventually. This is exactly what seems to be happening. What surprises me is that no one at Syracuse seemed to realize it. This is a good example of the saying, "no good deed goes unpunished."</p>