Not Chilly Enough? Texas Campus Carry and Academic Freedom

One of the most appalling trends in higher ed is the ongoing lowering of academic standards. Administrative emphasis on retention over education has created an atmosphere of competition for attracting and retaining students in courses, and academically challenging courses and professors who hold students to high standards are often avoided in favor of courses that require little work and offer the easy A. Because administration often considers retention in tenure and promotion decisions, a "race to the bottom" has been established that is anathema to education and to the success of our culture.

Faculty is under enough pressure to lower standards without needing to fear that an EARNED low grade could result in being gunned down by a student. While that fear exists regardless, campus carry laws enable students to act in the heat of the moment.

It is already difficult enough to hold students to even reasonable standards when doing so is of no interest to states and administrations and can, in fact, cause you to lose your job. Campus carry laws also greatly increase the possibility that doing so may cause you to lose your life. It is not only the research and discussion that are inversely affected by campus carry laws, it is also the integrity of education itself.