Since 1859, when Valparaiso University — the Region’s oldest university — was founded, higher education has played a vital role in bolstering Northwest Indiana’s success and contributing to the region’s character and resiliency. Over time, as our Region has developed a robust set of diverse institutions, with nearly 10 colleges and universities from private to […]
Category: Editorials
How Should Colleges and Universities Handle Claims of Sexual Assault and Sex Discrimination? What is Government’s Role in this Process?
Allegations of sexual assault and sex discrimination on college campuses is a serious issue, and several recent reports have garnered national media attention and raised the awareness of the general public. As a result, college campuses and the government have paid greater attention and taken a more thoughtful approach to the ways these sensitive issues are handled. As Valparaiso […]
What is the Role of College Athletics, and Should Student-Athletes be Paid?
In August, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) announced it would allow more autonomy for colleges and universities regarding the ways in which they support student-athletes. This decision will likely engender changes to financial aid, cost-of-living stipends, and food allowances for those who participate in NCAA Division I athletics, particularly in the largest five conferences in the United States. […]
What are the Benefits of a Liberal Arts Education from an Employer’s Perspective?
What is one to make of a liberal arts education these days? Presidential aspirant Marco Rubio proclaims that we need more welders and fewer philosophers — even though his claims that welders earn more than philosophers were quickly disproved. President Obama has publicly disparaged art history majors because their chances of earning more money after graduation than, say, an […]
Region must balance nature with industry for future generations
The Lake Michigan shoreline is one of our greatest natural assets in Northwest Indiana and a defining characteristic of the region. The Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore and State Park attract three million visitors each year and offer opportunities to swim, hike, bird-watch and study the region’s unique ecosystem. Northwest Indiana has a busy industrial district, home to major steel […]
Private college myths
The news cycle increasingly features discussions about the value of a college degree. What is the financial advantage of the undergraduate degree over a lifetime? Are there alternative credentials that provide comparable outcomes? A series of questions regarding private colleges appears frequently in this public narrative. Is the value of a private education worth the […]
The importance of a college education
There’s a narrative commonly circulated in media and political circles about the rising cost of higher education and student indebtedness. The narrative usually begins with this question: is a college education worth the investment? Folks who just read the headlines or rely on the opinion pages for their information might conclude that the value of […]
Affordable higher education in Northwest Indiana
It’s an election year, and lots of politicians are making promises. This cycle, we hear about “free” college for everyone. While it remains to be seen whether our state and our nation has the will or the resources to fulfill such an ambitious promise, this positive reception of this promise underscores an important issue facing […]
Engagement and Enrichment: How Universities Contribute to the Region’s Quality of Life
A key contributor to the success of a city is its perceived quality of life. Places that set a high premium on improving quality of life become vibrant, attractive places to live, work, and relocate or invest. In Northwest Indiana, the relationships between universities and their communities help to build a diverse, prosperous, and sustainable […]
An Evolving Northwest Indiana
Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb recently announced that 2017 was a record-breaking year for economic development, with commitments from companies across the country and around the world that plan to invest more than $7.04 billion in Indiana and create more than 30,000 new jobs in the state.[1] Combined with an unemployment rate lower than the national […]