Feb. 18—Recently, Richard Arum and Josipa Roksa, the authors of Academically Adrift, questioned the rigor of college coursework, prompting recent national media attention from the New York Times, Minnesota Public Radio, and the Chronicle of Higher Education. The study cited in Academically Adrift states that 45 percent (of 2,300 undergrads) “demonstrated no significant gains in critical thinking, analytical reasoning, and written communications during the first two years of college”—a somewhat alarming figure which begs the question, is college really worth the price?

Northwestern President Dr. Alan Cureton recently responded by emphasizing the value of higher education in today's world. His response was featured in the Roseville Review (in the Wednesday, February 16 print issue and online). See the Roseville Review online for the complete column.