Louisiana State University Higher Education Administration Magazine
Geaux Higher is a publication of the Higher Education Administration program at Louisiana State University. EXECUTIVE EDITORS
Joy Blanchard, PhD David W. Robinson-Morris, PhD
DEAN Damon Andrew, PhD DIRECTOR, SCHOOL OF EDUCATION
F. Neil Mathews, PhD
HIGHER EDUCATION Danielle Alsandor, PhD FACULTY Joy Blanchard, PhD Kenneth J. Fasching-Varner, PhD Roland Mitchell, PhD Rebecca Owens, Ed.D. DESIGN Hayden Nagin
The LSU Higher Education Administration program prepares practitioner-scholars for rewarding careers in higher education. The program offers a traditional and online Master of Arts and doctoral degree. The curriculum helps candidates develop the leadership vision, higher education knowledge, and management skills needed to assume leadership positions across a broad spectrum of higher education fields—including (but not exclusive to) recruiting, admissions, orientation, financial aid, counseling, Greek affairs, student activities, academic support services, student athlete support services, career planning and placement, and faculty.
CONTENTS 2
4 6 8 10 12 14 18 21
Welcome
Dean’s Letter and a Message from the Director
HEA Faculty and Accomplishments Prospective Bengals on the Bayou
A Highlight of the 2016 LSU Higher Education Program Visiting Days
Experts on the Geaux
National Scholar Kenn Redd and LSU President F. King Alexander Share Research and Insights with HEA Students
Achieving Higher HEA Student Spotlights
HEA Alumni Spotlight
HEA Alumnus T. Elon Dancy: Taking Research, Service, and Teaching Higher
Faculty Research Brief
Could the New College Football Playoff Be the Next Big Challenge to NCAA Authority?
The Bookshelf Preparing for Practice Kruger and Holmes Visit LSU
facebook.com/LSUHigherEd
twitter.com/LSUHigherEd
www.lsu.edu/chse
WELCOME FROM THE DEAN
The LSU Higher Education Administration program is among the largest, most diverse, and vibrant graduate programs in the College of Human Sciences & Education. By participating in this program, students will join the ranks of distinguished alumni who have gone on to be university presidents, noted administrators, policymakers, and faculty addressing critical educational, professional, and communal needs. Without a doubt our greatest strength is our people, and we invite you to discover what our current students already know: the LSU Higher Education program is making an incredible impact on our state, nation, and world. Geaux Tigers, Damon Andrew Dean, College of Human Sciences and Education
Damon Andrew Dean, E.B. "Ted" Roberts Endowed Professor Our mission is to advance cognitive, social, emotional, communicative, any physical development across the lifespan through programs in Education, Human Resource Education and Workforce Development, Kinesiology, Library and Information Science, Social Work, and the University Laboratory School. Through teaching, research, and service, the college plays a significant role in addressing the complex human issues and policy decisions facing Louisiana, the nation, and the world.
02
MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR The LSU School of Education’s Higher Education graduate program has been meeting students’ educational needs since the early 1990s. The program was the first in Louisiana with full enrollment, and it has increased diversity among its students and faculty as it has grown. Over the years, additional degree specializations have been developed within the M.A. and PhD in Higher Education. For example, the M.A. program has expanded to include online courses and services a broader range of students who previously lacked access to a high-quality Higher Education graduate program. It caters to an increasing student population with diverse needs and varied career goals. I invite you to read the first edition of the “Geaux Higher” publication to learn more about our graduates, faculty accomplishments, sponsored events, and research currently underway. At the conclusion of your perusal of this new publication, please let us know your thoughts as to how we can improve the magazine for future
F. Neil Mathews
editions. To our alumni, please remember that we want to continue to remain in
Director, Olinde Endowed Professor
contact with you as we serve your higher education career needs.
We are proud of our ambitious program and believe that our students and faculty have a bright future meeting the needs of the higher education community though their teaching, research, and service. LSU’s Higher Education program is helping shape the future of higher education in Louisiana, throughout the nation, and world. I personally wish you well if you are an LSU Higher Education graduate and, if not, I hope to see you on campus soon if you are considering a career in higher education. Best regards, F. Neil Mathews Director, School of Education Olinde Endowed Professor
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HE A FACULTY IN RESE Alsandor, D. J. & Guzman, A. (2015, March). Context Matters: A Comparative Study of African American Faculty Experiences Across Institutional Types. Lafayette, LA: Louisiana
higher education. In C. J. Russo (Ed.), The yearbook of education law 2015. Cleveland, OH: Education Law Association.
Blanchard, J. (2015). Intercollegiate athletics. In Fossey, R., Melear, K.B., & Eckes, S. (Eds.), Contemporary issues in higher education law (3rd ed.). Cleveland, OH: Education Law Association. Blanchard, J. & Andrews, C. (2015). Reconciling life and work for the new student affairs professional. In M. Amey & L. Reesor (Eds.), Beginning your journey (4th ed). Washington, D.C.: NASPA. Blanchard, J. Punt while you’re ahead: A review of past and potential antitrust challenges to the NCAA. Education Law Association Annual Conference, Cleveland, OH. November 2015.
Danielle Alsandor Assistant Professor (University of Texas: Austin) Areas of research: college student success, college student retention for underrepresented populations, and faculty of color retention Cortez, L., Martinez, M. A., Alsandor, D. J., Chang, A., & Welton, A. D. (2015). Nuestras raices ground us: Reflecting communidad and cultura in who we are as Latina/o faculty. Book chapter in Hernandez, F., Murakami, E., & Rodriguez, G. Abriendo puertas, cerrando heridas (Opening Doors, Closing Wounds): Latinas/os finding work-life balance in academia. Information Age Publishing. Alsandor, D. J. (2016, March). Be Intentional: Academic & Student Affairs Collaborations. Fort Worth, TX: Texas Association of Black Professionals in Higher Education. Alsandor, D. J. (2015, April). Polling the Campus Pulse of African American Students at a PWI: How Campus Culture Impacts Student Retention. Chicago, IL: American Educational Research Association. Alsandor, D. J. (2015, April). Socialization for Success: Black Women Faculty in Academe Pre and Post Tenure. Chicago, IL: American Educational Research Association.
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Joy Blanchard
Bell, L. F.; Blanchard, J.; Comeaux, E.; Gaston Gayles, J.; Harper, S. R.; Hughes, R. L. Affirmative action and intercollegiate athletics: Historical and contemporary issues of equity in college sports. American Educational Research Association
Assistant Professor (University of Georgia)
Educational Research Association. Areas of research: Higher education law, intercollegiate athletics, campus safety and negligence Blanchard, J., Broido, E. M., Stygles, K. N., & Rojas, F. A. (2016). Graduate student intern exchange: Increasing competencies and awareness through professional development. Journal of Student Affairs Research and Practice, 53 (2), 1-14. Blanchard, J. & Baez, B. (2016). The legal environment: The implementation of legal change on campus. In P. Altbach, P. Gumport, & M. Bastedo (Eds.), American higher education in the twenty-first century: Social, political, and economic challenges (4th ed). Baltimore, MD: The Johns Hopkins University Press.
Kenneth J. Fasching-Varner Associate Prof. / Program Leader (Ohio State University)
Blanchard, J. (2015). Contemporary Issues in Higher Education Law (3rd edition): Instructor Testing Supplement. Cleveland, OH: Education Law Association.
Annual Conference, Chicago, IL. April 2015. Areas of research: Institutional (in)equity, race and racism across the PK-20+ spectrum, neoliberalism, critical race theory
Blanchard, J. & Lugg, E.T. (2015). Students in
Fasching-Varner, K.J., Hartlep, N.D., Martin, L.L.,
ARCH Hayes, C., Mitchell, R.W., & Allen-Mitchell, C.A. (Eds.). (2015). The assault on communities of color: Exploring the realities of race based violence. Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield. Fasching-Varner, K.J., Albert, K.A., Mitchell, R.W., & *Allen, C.A. (Eds.) (2015). Racial battle fatigue in higher education: Exposing the myth of post-racial America. Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield. Hayes, C. & Fasching-Varner, K.J. (2015). Racism 2.0 and the death of social and cultural foundations of education: A critical conversation. Journal of Educational Foundations, 28(1), 113-130. Fasching-Varner, K.J., Mitchell, R.W., Martin, L.L., & Bennett-Haron, K.P. (2015). Beyond school-to prison pipeline and toward an educational and penal realism. Equity and Excellence in Education, 47(4), 5-24. Hucks, D.C., Fasching-Varner, K.J., & Haddix, M.M. (2015). Teaching Trayvon Martin. Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, 58(7), 608-610.
Campuses Wooten, S.C., Mitchell, R. (Eds.) (2015). The crisis of campus sexual violence: Critical perspectives on prevention and response. New York, NY: Routledge. Fasching-Varner, K., Hartlep, N., Mitchell, R., Hayes, C., Martin, L., & Mitchell, C.A. (2015). The assault on communities of color: Reactions and responses from the frontlines. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield.
Curriculum and Social Justice. Arnold, B., Mitchell, R. & Arnold, N. (2015). Massified illusions of difference: Photography and the mystique of the American HBCU. Journal of American Studies of Turkey 41(1), 69-94. Fasching-Varner, K.J., Mitchell, R., Martin, L.L., & Bennett-Haron, K. (2015). Beyond school-to prison pipeline and toward an educational and penal realism. Equity and Excellence in Education, 47(4),
Fasching-Varner, K.J., Albert, K.A., Mitchell, R., & Mitchell, C.A. (Eds.) (2015). Racial battle fatigue in higher education. Exposing the myth of post-racial America. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield. Nguyen, T., Mitchell, R. & Mitchell, C.A. (2016). Crafting spaces between the binary: Renegade locations for the radical revisioning of nontraditional graduate advising. Of other thoughts and renegade knowledges: Transformative potential in postgraduate supervisions edition of Knowledge Cultures. Mitchell, R., & Mitchell, R., P. (2015). “Stop the tape and then we can talk�: Settler lands and sensual eruptions through critical approaches to curriculum. International Journal of
Rebecca Owens Instructor, Liason to Online Master's program in Higher Education (University of Georgia)
Roland Mitchell Jo Ellen Levy Endowed Associate Prof. Interem Associate Dean: Research Engagement & Graduate Studies
(University of Alabama)
HEA Affiliated Faculty
HEA Adjunct Faculty
Kurt Keppler, PhD, Vice President, Student Life and Enrollment
Imre Emeric Csaszar, PhD, Instructor
S. Kim MacGregor, PhD, Associate Professor, Applied Research, Measurement and Evaluation Chaunda Allen Mitchell, PhD, Director of Drug Policy, Office of the Governor, State of Louisiana Darrell Ray, PhD, Assistant Vice President for Student Life and Enrollment
Areas of research: College Teaching; Race, Class, and Gender in Education; School-ToPrison-Pipeline; Sexual Assault on College
Matt Gregory, PhD, Associate Dean of Students and Director, Student Advocacy & Accountability Dana Charles Hart, PhD, Director, LSU Flores MBA Program Kristine Strickland, PhD, Chancellor, Fletcher Technical Community College Mary B. Wallace, PhD, Associate Dean of Students and Director of Campus Life
05
Prospective Bengals on the Bayou: A Highlight of the 2016 LSU Higher Education ProgramVisiting Days
Potential Tigers at LSU HEA Visiting Days
By: Margaret Vienne, ‘16
winning faculty, and have a taste of
Chimes restaurant, a local favorite of
true Cajun-style cuisine.
many Higher Education students.
Day one
This year’s Higher Education
ended with fun arcade games and a bit
Program Visiting Days boasted an
of karaoke at a local social spot right
a successful event leaving many
attendance of over 30 prospective
off campus.
prospective students eager to return
Overall, Visiting Days was
students. These prospective students
Day two consisted of a full
to the bayou this fall. One student in
traveled from all over the country to
day of graduate assistant interviews
particular commented on the excellent
attend a two-day preview of the LSU
and a lunch with faculty and several
hospitality shown by the master's
Higher Education Program. Visiting
current master and doctoral students.
and doctoral students. She closed by
Days kicked off with a welcome social
Prospective
the
noting, “I truly appreciate it and will
featuring program highlights, a faculty
opportunity to interview with various
definitely recommend LSU to others I
meet-and-greet,
traditional
departments ranging from Greek
know considering a Higher Education
Louisiana-style dinner! Prospective
Life and Campus Life to Enrollment
program.”
students were able to learn more about
Management and Residential Life.
our program, mingle with our award-
Day two ended with a social at The
06
and
a
students
had
The LSU HEA graduate programs recruit nationally
07
Experts on the Geaux National Scholar Kenn Redd and LSU President F. King Alexander Share Research and Insights with HEA Students
In a constant effort to bridge
speakers who work in areas related to
have continued to increase. He did share,
theory to practice and apply research to
policy formation and political advocacy.
though, that these trends eventually
real job settings, the spring 2016 doctoral
right themselves as overall markets
seminar Politics and Policy in Higher
of research and policy analysis at
improve.
Education hosted a number of guest
the National Association of College
and
Alexander, a national scholar on higher
In January, Ken Redd, director
University
(NACUBO),
Kenn Redd
08
Business
provided
Officers
insight
LSU
President
F.
King
into
education finance, visited the Politics
the work that he does in researching
and Policy in Higher Education class
relevant financial matters that affect
to discuss federal and state higher
policy and practice at colleges and
education policy. Alexander recalled his
universities. Serendipitously, the day
last 15 years of federal advocacy to cut
before he spoke to the class, his office
the cost of higher education for both
released its annual survey related
states and students. Of particular note,
to college endowments. Because the
Alexander’s visit preceeded a breaking
national economy is still recovering
news alert regarding the state’s deficit to
from its most recent recession, returns
fund higher education.
on investments continue to be low. As
endowment returns have continued to
for public higher education,” said
decrease, spending from endowments
Alexander. “The federal government
“This is a very tenuous time
Higher Ed Doctoral Student Wins National Dissertation Award
is on the path to be out of the higher education business by 2049.”
The only means to correct the
current course of higher education in
David Robinson-Morris, Fall 2015 doctoral graduate of the
the nation is to focus on minimizing
Higher Education Administration program, was recently awarded the
student indebtedness, incentivize public
2016 American Association of Blacks in Higher Education Disserta-
university commitment to low-income
tion Award. In addition to a cash prize, he will be recognized and pres-
populations, and for states to get out
ent his research at the association’s annual meeting.
the business of higher education. “Our students are funding state government and the university is dying on the vine,” said Alexander. “I think the federal government is the answer.”
Both Redd and Alexander’s
visits allowed HEA student to connect the
theoretical
knowledge
of
the
classroom to the very real issues of the
higher
education
community.
Students were reinvigorated to utilize their education to advocate for real and necessary change.
Robinson-Morris’ dissertation, titled “An Ontological (Re)Think-
ing of Ubuntu and Buddhism in Higher Education” theorized what American higher education might look like if education were engaged first as an incubator of “(inter)subjectivity that brings all under its shadow into the fullness of their humanity and in deeper of our shared being as human rather than schools of technical mastery driven by market demands.”
Speaking of his award, Robinson-Morris said, “More than anything,
for me it is a sign-post that I am on the right track and must continue to pur-
Alexander discusses national and
sue this line of inquiry; I must continue to theorize what education might be-
state higher education policy with
come if engaged first as an endeavor of human becoming—as one of many
HEA students
means through which we come to touch deeply our humanity and discover what it means to be a human being.”
The dissertation was chaired by Higher Education Administration
faculty member Danielle Alsandor; and committee members included Petra Hendry, Petra Robinson, and John Henderson.
09
Achieving Higher HEA Student Spotlights
Entering the World with Eyes Wide Open Graduating HEA Student Reem Al-Juriad Reflects on her Growth
Reem Al-Juriad, '16
Reem Al-Juraid’s experience
in the master's program in Higher
or Greek life.
Education Administration has been of
personal growth and an examination
graduate program has been learning
into her own personal identity as an
different aspects of the field and being
Arab-American. “Being in this program
appreciative of groups other than herself.
opened my eyes to see the world beyond
“We don’t have these conversations in
what we see in media,” she explained.
undergrad,” Reem recalls. “These are life
conversations.”
The Mandeville native received
Her favorite aspect of her
a psychology degree at LSU and was
Al-Juraid’s
involved in STRIPES (a freshman
new students: “Take advantage of
leadership program), Zeta Tau Alpha,
conversations
and as an Empower facilitator. She was
and don’t think your opinion isn’t
drawn to the field by the examples set
worth something.” She noted that
by mentors such as Angela Guillory,
this particularly applied to learning
director of Greek Life, and KC White,
to embrace her own perspective as
former dean of students at LSU.
an Arab-American.
“Hearing their stories,” Al-
to graduation, she reflected, “This
Juraid said, “and seeing the resemblance
profession really truly opens our eyes to
between themselves and my story
the real world.”
encouraged me to enter the program.” After graduation she hopes to work at an
10
institution in the SEC in student conduct
that
advice are
to
challenging
Looking forward
Doctoral Student Combines Law and Higher Education to Advocate for Female Victims of Color
Lafayette native and second-
via scholarship. “I had all these things I
year doctoral student Kerii Landry-
wanted to say but didn’t have an outlet.”
Thomas was drawn to the Higher
Education Administration program at
student and graduate assistant, Landry-
LSU because its “graduates have gone on
Thomas also holds down the full-time
to do impressive things.” Landry-Thomas
jobs of mother and wife. Her husband is
was impressed with the ability to use her
a faculty member at Southern University
law degree to study such contemporary
and she has two sons, ages eight and
higher education issues as Title IX, while
five. She laughed that her sons have a
also using intersectionality and critical
hard time understanding why she's still
race theory to examine the effects the
in school, "I explain to them my love of
campus conduct process has on female
learning. And they’re just happy that I’m
students is “professionalism at all times
victims of color.
learning.” Though the school-life balance
with colleagues and professors; practice
Landry – Thomas previously
can be difficult, she said that her children
time management; and really put effort
worked as an assistant public defender,
and husband have been understanding.
into producing quality work.”
law clerk, and prosecutor in the juvenile
court system. She was drawn to a second
a part of a community of scholars and
history as a professional, and we look
career in education because she was
her favorite part of her doctoral studies
forward to her very bright career!
seeing so many people in the justice
is meeting other students and making
system where things had gotten “messed
friends. “We’re building something
up” along their educational journey. She
together and will have friendships after
looks forward to contributing her voice
we graduate.” Her advice to incoming
In addition to being a busy
Landry-Thomas enjoys being
Kerii Landry-Thomas
Landry-Thomas has quite a
11
HEA Alumni Spotlight HEA Alumnus T. Elon Dancy: Taking Research, Service, and Teaching Higher
What are you currently working on (research, major projects, etc.)?
Generally speaking, my research is about education settings as sites of social identity development. The significance of the research is in its critique of higher education purpose and the relationship of colleges and universities to the public more broadly. While my scholarship has largely utilized qualitative methods, one current research project is a quantitative study of how postsecondary education impacts civic engagement for Black LGBT people across the United States and Puerto Rico. The purpose is to learn more about how multiple marginalities or, intersections of race and sexual orientation, matter in these conversations. A forthcoming edited book focuses on historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) across the African diaspora. The aim is to place HBCU conversations in a global context, highlighting similarities and distinctions among these institutions. This book is slated for a 2016 release.
In what ways did/does your education (and/or formation) as a LSU Higher Education Administration student shape or influence your current work?
The LSU doctoral program in higher education administration played three important roles: 1) it introduced me to what it meant to be a scholar; 2) it socialized me to the academy and field expectations, and 3) it exposed me to an early framework for critical higher education scholarship, or scholarship that engages educational settings as reproducers of multiple and intersecting systems of oppression. It was at LSU that I began to think deeply, at a variety of levels, about what we can and what we must do about educational and public inequities.
12
What are your favorite memories and/or experiences as a LSU Higher Education Administration student?
My favorite memory was working in a community of doctoral students and developing scholars. We became colleagues, peers, friends, and family. We keep in touch to this day. In many ways, doctoral program work can be isolating, particularly for people who have been historically barred from its doors. Having a community makes a world of difference.
What do you think is the program’s best asset?
I think the program’s best asset is its continued commitment to producing critical higher education scholars. This is evidenced by program area faculty as I think about Dr. Roland Mitchell’s and Dr. Kenneth Fasching-Varner’s work, but also as I think about the dissertations of several recent program area graduates. The program is wise to build on the School of Education’s visible legacy of curriculum theory scholarship. This has enhanced the program as a site, not just for training in the higher education field, but philosophical thinking.
What is a key piece of advice you received as a student in the program?
Although my mentor, Dr. M. Christopher Brown II, was not a faculty member in the program, he offered me a key piece of advice while I was a doctoral student. The advice was to write the most impressive, well-informed, thoughtful dissertation I could before seeking vacant tenure-track faculty positions. This complicated the widespread narrative I was hearing at the time that argued for a dissertation project that could be completed simply and conveniently. However, the wisdom in Dr. Brown’s words was about 1) taking advantage of relatively unencumbered time (especially since I was a full-time student) to read, think, and write as it becomes increasingly difficult post-graduation to protect this time and 2) helpfully positioning myself for publications and presentations at national conferences to support my tenure and promotion pursuit. I was tenured and promoted to associate professor at the University of Oklahoma after just five years. This advice was crucial.
What advice would you give to current students and recent graduates about building a career
Surround yourself with wise, truthful, and loving counsel who can light your pathway to the future you envision.
in academia?
T. Elon Dancy Provost Fellow, Office of the Senior
If you could sum up your experience in three words, what would you say?
The three words would be a phrase,
Vice President and Provost and
“An academic rebirth.”
Associate Professor
13
Faculty Research Brief
Could the New College Football Playoff Be the Next Big Challenge to NCAA Authority? By: Joy Blanchard, PhD
restricted the amount of games fans could
by fixing prices, creating boycotts through
first
view on television. The NCAA restricted
exclusive network contracts, and placing
established in the United States during
the broadcasts because it was fearful that
artificial limits on the number of televised
the late 1800s in response to monopolies
too many televised games would dilute the
games. The court likened the actions of
dominating their respective markets (e.g.,
“product” and reduce ticket sales. In 1976,
the NCAA to a “classic cartel” and found
oil or gas industries) during the Gilded
frustrated with the restrictions prohibiting
that the NCAA’s “‘output restriction’ had
Age . The intent of those laws was, among
their teams from capitalizing on their
the clear effect of raising the price the
other things, to prevent cartels
from
national popularity, 63 college teams broke
networks were forced to pay for television
controlling the free market and to outlaw
away from the NCAA and formed the
rights, creating a pricing structure that
collusion between competitors. Though
College Football Association (CFA). The
was unresponsive to consumer choice
some business practices serve to stifle
CFA collectively began to negotiate its
(viewer demand).”
trade and are anticompetitive in nature,
own contract with NBC, and in response to
they do not automatically create a viable
this attempted reorganization the NCAA
the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals
antitrust claim. A plaintiff must both show
prohibited CFA teams from participating
subsequently appealed to the U.S. Supreme
injury from such practices as well as that
in NCAA-sanctioned contests in any sport
Court. In a 7-2 decision, the Court struck
the anticompetitive effects are specifically
the
down the NCAA’s television plan. The
outlawed by antitrust law.
University of Oklahoma and the University
court said, “The economic significance
The most significant antitrust
of Georgia filed suit, claiming that the
of the NCAA’s nonprofit character is
challenge to the NCAA’s authority came in
NCAA restrictions violated antitrust law.
questionable at best. Since the District
1984 in NCAA v. Board of Regents of the
The NCAA countered that its television
Court found that the NCAA and its
University of Oklahoma. Before the U.S.
plan
through
member institutions are in fact organized
Supreme Court issued its ruling in this case,
efficiency and protection of ticket sales
to maximize revenues . . . it is unclear why
the NCAA controlled how many times—
and live attendance at home games of
petitioner is less likely to restrict output in
and for how much money—college football
member institutions.” At trial the district
order to raise revenues above those that
games could be broadcast. Antitrust laws
court ruled that the NCAA’s control over
could be realized in a competitive market
were enacted to protect consumers, yet the
football
than would be a for-profit entity."
NCAA plan, as it existed prior to this case,
Section 1 and Section 2 of the Sherman Act
14
Antitrust
laws
were
Representing
“enhanced
the
CFA,
competition
television
contracts
violated
That decision was upheld by and
Justice White (a famed college and
eight finishes. During the first 13 years
including the fact that each of the five most
professional
himself)
of the BCS system, 85.6 percent of BCS
resourced conferences will have automatic
foretold in his dissent, “Permitting a small
revenue has gone to AQ conferences, out
representation on the selection committee.
number of colleges, even popular ones, to
of a total 105 appearances by automatic
The new playoff system does not have an
have unlimited television appearances,
qualifiers (AQ) and seven by non-AQ
objective component like the BCS system’s
would inevitably give them an insuperable
conference teams. Teams from non-AQ
algorithm, but instead relies solely on the
advantage over all others and in the end
conferences less frequently receive bowl
subjective evaluations of the selection
defeat any efforts to maintain a system
game invitations, even though some have
committee.
of athletic competition among amateurs
demonstrated that they deserve a chance
In response to a potential challenge to the
who measure up to college scholastic
to compete at the highest level despite
new College Football Playoff, the NCAA
requirements.” The decision in Regents
their lack of resources.
might counter with a pro-competitive
arguably can be labeled as the start of
an “arms race” in relation to salaries,
greater parity and (arguably) to promote
because a single national championship
recruiting, and conference realignments.
competition, in 2013 the NCAA announced
game elicits build-up and excitement
While the NCAA had tried to keep exposure
that it would replace the computerized
among spectators.
and revenue equal among its member
system known as the BCS (or Bowl
argue that the goal, to achieve a national
teams, the changes after the decision in
Championship Series) with a playoff
champion in Division I-FBS football, could
Regents began a clear bifurcation of the
system consisting of two semifinal games
be reached using less restrictive means. In
“haves” and “have nots.”
that would determine the participants in
addition to reverting to a selection process
a national championship game.
that is more objective than the current
football
player
The “have” and “have nots”
In
an
attempt
to
achieve
In the
argument
in favor of the new system
However, I would
that Justice White warned about in his
market defined as “high-level college
thirteen-member
dissent in Regents has become a cyclical
football bowl games,” I would argue that
process, I propose a sixteen-team playoff,
reality. For example, between 1950 and
the College Football Playoff continues
comprising four brackets of four teams
2005, the same five college football teams
to exhibit some of the anticompetitive
each. In each bracket, the first ranked
accounted for 25 percent of all top-eight
features inherent in the old BCS system.
team would play the fourth ranked team,
finishes in the postseason polls, and 22
The new system continues to favor teams
and the second and third seeds would
teams accounted for 75 percent of all top-
from conferences with more resources,
play each other; the winners from those
selection
committee
15
contests would play in a deciding game
institutions. It seems undeniable that the
to increase the amount of athletic
to determine the winner of that bracket.
NCAA has abandoned the notion of college
scholarships,
From there, the winners of each bracket
athletics as part of the educational mission
vehemently to suppress movement in that
would play each other in two national
in favor of creating an entertainment
direction. Following the N.L.R.B’s ruling in
semifinals. The final remaining teams
enterprise. So why should the NCAA not
the Northwestern case, NCAA President
would play in the national championship
be subject to antitrust liability similar to
Mark Emmert said that recognizing
game. This would result in a team playing
other for-profit entities? Charles Clotfelter,
student-athletes as employees—who, in
a maximum of four additional games
economist
has
turn, would have the power to negotiate
during the postseason—adding only two
calculated the growth of head football coach
better scholarships and benefits—“would
more than the existing system employed
salaries at public institutions have grown
blow up everything about the collegiate
in the College Football Playoff. Some
750 percent since the Regents decision—
model of athletics.” While the unionization
might argue that this proposed playoff
contrasted with a 32 percent increase for
of student-athletes would affect the status
system would extend the season too long
faculty. But perhaps most telling of the
quo in intercollegiate athletics, one could
and expose the student-athletes to greater
fact that big-time college sports aren’t
argue that the NCAA itself blew up the
risk of injury. To counter that, I would also
really about amateurism are the statistics
amateur model by increasingly involving
propose that the regular season be cut
that compare the NCAA to the highly
itself in commercial endeavors, such as
short by two games, to make up for these
profitable professional sports leagues in
lucrative
added games. Antitrust law is designed to
the United States. According to data from
videogames.
protect consumer interests and safeguard
the U.S. Department of Education’s Office
the quality of the product (in this case,
of Postsecondary Education, the combined
that the NCAA be granted an antitrust
producing the best competitive matchups).
collegiate athletic revenues for the 2010-
exemption.
The NCAA in the past has
2011 academic year was $12.6 billion;
from antitrust challenges to practices,
defended its restrictive policies (such
the National Football League (the most
Congress would be allowed to curb
as limiting the number of coaches and
profitable professional sports league in the
commercial activity antithetical to the
scholarships teams can have) on the
United States) had revenues of $7.6 billion.
academic mission of the NCAA, as well
theory that by controlling the market it
collegiate
as require that the NCAA grant student-
can promote quality among its member
programs have the financial capacity
athletes the same due process rights
16
at
Though
Duke
the
University,
elite
the
NCAA
broadcasting
has
fought
contracts
and
The Drake Group has proposed In exchange for exemption
guaranteed through the Constitution,
Act and established the U.S. Olympic
model and morph into a commercialized
which it has not previously had to do
Committee, which replaced the oppressive
“survival of the fittest” (or wealthiest).
as a voluntary, private organization of
Amateur Athletic Union and gave athletes
Conversely,
members.
greater legal protections.
intervention, intercollegiate athletics is set
Andrew Zimbalist, professor
without
Congressional
of economics and sports commentator,
institutions
to continue on its course of astronomical
has called for an antitrust exemption in
have been granted antitrust exemptions
spending in a constant battle to prevail on
exchange for the regulation of coaches’
outside of the athletic context as well,
the field and at the bank. As it is currently
salaries and the implementation of a
such as the Need-Based Educational
structured, the presidents of the member
college football playoff.
Further, Len
Aid Act, which allowed for instances in
institutions of the NCAA will not abandon
Elmore of the Knight Commission on
which institutions could share student
this lucrative model freely. Whether by
Intercollege Athletics has commented that
financial aid information with each other
an act of Congress or through judicial
he would favor an antitrust exemption that
more freely,
intervention,
would require athletic revenues be utilized
to
for more academic purposes.
programs.
Higher
education
and an exemption related
athletics,
resident-matching
particularly at the most elite level of
In a 2007 monograph the
competition, is in need of fixing to better
similar
American Bar Association noted that more
serve both the fans and the student-
antitrust
than 20 federal antitrust exemptions exist
athletes themselves.
exemptions in exchange for increased
and advocated that exemptions be granted
oversight and regulation of sport. The
for “socially desired activity or wealth
Joy Blanchard is an assistant professor
Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961
transfer to some socially preferred group.”
in the Higher Education Administration
passed to counter a judicial decision that
is
program. This essay is part of a larger piece
held the NFL’s method of negotiating
arguably warranted for intercollegiate
that was published in the fall 2015 issue of
broadcasting contracts in violation of
athletics in light of the cherished role
the Virginia Sports and Entertainment Law
antitrust law. In 1966 Congress granted
intercollegiate athletics has played in
Journal. Reprinted with permission from
an antitrust exemption to broker the
modern American history. Additional
the editor-in-chief.
merger of the National Football League
legal challenges, such as the antitrust suit
and the American Football League.
In
brought by the plaintiffs in O’Bannon,
1978 Congress passed the Amateur Sports
could derail the current collegiate sport
Congress
action
before
by
has
taken
granting
was
medical-student
intercollegiate
An
antitrust
exemption
17
THE BOOKSHELF By: Michael J. Seaberry, HEA Doctoral Student
“The books housed in one’s first adult bookshelf are the geological bed of who we wish to become.” — Sheridan Hay I can guarantee that the bookshelves in many of the higher education faculty member’s offices have been molded and reshaped over the years to reflect the dynamic nature of their lives. One may start with a love for Junie B. Jones books as a child and gradually grow to find the same passion in Michel Foucault’s works. In the midst of the many classes, papers, and conferences we seek help for, we sometimes forget that our professors are just like us: human. It would be interesting to go back in time and witness the very first set of books that our professors saved when they were in our shoes. However, since we cannot time travel (for the time being), I have found entry into the personal lives of our professors. The bookshelf, although a very public entity, contains many private moments entwined with the words on every page of the books housed within. Just as the eyes are the windows to the soul, the bookshelf is a window to the mind.
Danielle Alsandor
18
Recently, I had the pleasure of hearing from Dr. Danielle Alsandor about what her bookshelf truly means to her. Here is what she had to share:
What book are you currently reading?
What book(s) do you love to read with family members/ friends?
What is the one book you think all of the ELRC students should read?
the Thoughts You Choose Affect Your
With my friends, we’ve read Presumed
The Handbook of Student Affairs
Mood, Behavior, and Decisions by Joyce
Incompetent: The Intersections of Race
Administration by McClellan & Stringer.
Meyer. It’s a book about how what we
and Class for Women in Academia
A new edition will be released in 2016.
think affects our daily life in a variety
by Gabriella Gutiérrez y Muhs and
Whether you are a MA or PhD student
of ways. I’m also reading Jane Austen’s
Yolanda Flores Niemann. Several of
or plan to be a practitioner, academic,
Emma, which I just discovered from a
my girlfriends are academics and as
or administrator, knowing this material
cute bookstore in Oakland, CA.
many of us transitioned to faculty life
is truly beneficial. This book provides
as women of color, it was important for
insight on the many aspects, challenges,
us to read the research and also feel
and practices in higher education
validated in our own lived experiences.
administration. This was the first book
Meyer book: Inspiration. The desire to
We’ve also shared books by Iyanla
I bought as I prepared the summer
continue to develop holistically and
Vanzant.
before I began my master’s program. It
I am reading The Mind Connection: How
What drew you to it?
remain centered on ways to becoming a better and more mindful person. Austen book: I love Austen’s works and decided to purchase it because she delves
introduced me to the field and provided
What author or book do you think you should read, but never seem to get to it?
deeply into characters and they come to life in my head, placing me in a different
I actually never read Maya Angelou’s
time.
I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings, so
clear recommendations from some the field’s key contributors.
Do you have any reading rituals?
I bought it too on my Oakland trip,
Just before bed and first thing in
though I have not opened yet…maybe
the morning! Start the day off with a
sometime during winter break. Time
devotional, angel book reading, and the
management is a challenge; so carving
Bible. End the day with inspiration and/
Oh, this is hard! As a child, I loved
out reading time is hard. Amid work
or insight depending on my day, mood,
reading and read all of R.L. Stine’s
responsibilities, I need exercise, sleep
and desire to continue the reading.
books. I would say in particular, I was
and meditation time, so those are
enthralled with the trilogy The Burning.
prioritized over reading, thus it can take
What is your favorite book from childhood?
a while to complete!
19
Where is your favorite spot to curl up with a good book?
quotes said by parents of the young children and how different priorities
What book(s) are you excited to read over the summer?
were for those based on household Sitting in my lounge chair on the patio
income and social class level.
Heart of a Woman. Over the break,
with by dog Deeno on my lap. It’s relaxing, comforting and I am able to focus on that one task without a phone
Are you currently working on any exciting new projects or books?
or computer.
What was the book that impacted you the most in life and work?
college students. I am taking my
In Making It Through the Maze, I share
In life, I would say the Holy Bible
the stories of college graduates from
and Doreen Virtue’s How to Hear
low-income households and how they
Your Angels. In my career, Annette
succeeded in earning their bachelor’s
Lareau’s Unequal Childhoods: Class,
degree. I am in the process of following
Race, & Family Life. It solidified my
up with participants to provide updates
passions. I knew beforehand from my
as well. Very engaging process.
dissertation research and detailing their pathway to college completion.
own background, lived experiences, reminded me of the importance to
What is your favorite place to read at LSU?
work in some capacity to make a positive difference in the lives of all, but
Honestly, I do not read at LSU. When
especially for those from marginalized
I am on campus, I am meeting with
backgrounds.
students, trying to manage e-mail, prepping for class, etc. Reading
Do you have a favorite or most impactful quote from the book?
is something I prefer to do in a comfortable environment (be it scholarly or leisure reading). Sitting
Oh gosh, I don’t have the book with
upright at a desk or in a library is not
me, but there were several phrases and
for me.
20
I said I would start Bird by Bird: Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott.
I am working on a book on low-income
and desires, but this book reinforced,
Oh, I have another Angelou book The
Preparing for Practice Kruger and Holmes Visit LSU
Naspa President Kevin Kruger visits Tiger Stadium
experience in higher education, and
various NAPSA projects for over 25
represents the organization in national
years,” said Keppler. “Kevin is a national
and international forums. While working
expert on college student attitudes and
at the executive level of NASPA, Kruger
demographics, as well as the future of
has brought forth initiatives oriented
student affairs.”
By: Brittany Swanger, '16
around
Freestyle Higher Education
“This
generation
wants
to
public
policy,
technology,
One of Kruger’s workshops
research, professional development, and
targeted
design their own experiences just like
student learning and assessment.
professionals in higher education and
the freestyle Coke machines.”
In late August, Kruger was
the future of the field as whole. Kruger
words stated by Dr. Kevin Kruger,
invited to campus by LSU Vice President
began his presentation with a graphic
president of the National Association
of Student Life and Enrollment, Dr. Kurt
by stating he wants to work with people
of Student Personnel Administators
Keppler, to conduct developmental
that dream big, have fun, and get stuff
(NASPA), reflects his perspective of
workshops for professionals in the
done. He emphasized the great shifts
college students in the United States.
division. “Kevin Kruger and I are long-
occurring in the field. Learning is no
Kruger was elected president of NASPA
time friends and colleagues and have
longer just taking place in the lecture
in 2012 with over 30 years of work
worked together on campus and with
halls and labs, but the number one place
These
new
and
prospective
21
students learn is online—YouTube to be
graduation. Kruger concluded that not
structure of higher education will be
exact. Technology has created a steep
only financially, but culturally, college
different from its current state in the
learning curve for professionals in the
campuses have to reorganize their
next 10 years. Besides schools steeped
field as they attempt to stay up to date
institutional structures to best serve and
in hefty endowments to combat any
and relevant. A result of the technology
care for this growing subpopulation of
change, the future of higher education
and internet boom is the economic model
students.
lies in the hands of the consumers, and
of higher education being unsustainable.
those consumers are currently in the
College costs are increasing all over the
issues in higher education as mental
country, as state and federal funding is
health, alcohol abuse prevention, drug
cut at alarming rates. The media blames
abuse prevention, sexual assault and
the increase in tuition and fees not
gender-based violence, suicide, and
due to defunding, but administrative
crisis management. He mentioned these
salaries. Kruger combatted this claim
topics result in professionals becoming
by sharing that only 7 to 11 percent of
case mangers rather than educators.
an institution’s budget is reserved for
He believes these issues prevail on
salaries. He concluded that college is
campuses because of the consumer
becoming
because
culture that has developed in the past
vice president for student support at
both higher costs in services and goods
20 years resulting in students thinking
the University of Texas, El Paso, was
coupled with defunding are increasing
the collegiate experience is what us
invited to campus by the Office of the
the college degree price tag.
displayed in movies like Animal House
Dean of Students and the Division of
and Neighbors.
Student Life and Enrollment to conduct
enrollment, but that does not reflect
This brings us back to his initial
cultural competency workshops. Dean
equitable access. Kruger shared that 51
comment, students want to customize
of Students Dr. Maria Fuentes-Martin
percent of high school graduates are
their learning. They believe because
stated Holmes’ “years of experience
from low income families and the income
they—or parents, family, government
in student affairs and being a native
gap is widening. If these students enroll
— spend the money for them to attend
Louisianan gave him an excellent
they are faced will potentially tens
college, they should have a say in the
perspective in leading this important
of thousands of dollars in debt upon
product. Kruger mused that the entire
topic and session.”
22
more
expensive
Colleges have seen increased
Kruger described the big six
second grade.
Cultural Competence: Whole Student (And Professional) Growth Dr. Ryan Holmes, assistant
to end prejudice and racism at LSU.”
and should not be afraid to speak out
asking the professionals in the room
The presentations that followed
against injustice or oppression. Holmes
about LSU traditions, missions, and
focused on how higher education
wants professionals to rely on the
current trends. When the group was
professionals
students
resiliency of these students but rather be
asked, “What are you proud of most
navigate
challenging
visible and accessible to them. The only
about LSU?” responses ranged from
situations and ways that they could
directly applicable guidance Holmes
“football," "stately oaks," "homecoming,”
incorporate cultural awareness into their
offered was to not rely on programming
to “world-class academics and being the
daily interactions. Holmes was emphatic
and social services to culturally engage
flagship university of the state.”
that campuses have to go beyond just
students, and to encourage campus law
recognizing culture, but instead address
enforcement to concentrate on more
through an activity about who they
its
community policing and relationship
were and how they—and society—have
presence.
building.
constructed their identity. He read out
a number of statements about family
that people are a threat to our way of life,
part of the new diversity plan Fuentes-
background, personal experiences, and
their lives matter less.” Holmes went on
Martin has in place for the Office of the
work environment. The intent of these
to discuss the advent of grassroots social
Dean of Students. Since her arrival in
activities were to allow the room time
justice movements in the wake of police
August, Fuentes-Martin has been very
to think about and reflect on their own
violence in recent years. He highlighted
active and intentional in implementing
competencies, as well as the experiences
how the media can influence students to
similar programming and initiatives on
of their colleagues. Fuentes-Martin was
respond, and professionals have to be
campus. Her desire is to celebrate the
impressed by the participation from the
aware of media impact and anticipate
differences in every student on campus
division musing, “I was grateful not only
ways to help students appropriately
by building an environment and staff
for his presence and leadership on this
express themselves.
open and welcome to cultural change.
key topic, but of the participants from
the Division of Student Life & Enrollment
to
who actively engaged in the session and
underrepresented student populations
genuinely reflected on their cultural
to address the needs of their community.
competencies, biases, and commitment
Every individual on campus has a voice
He began his presentation by
Holmes
took
the
group
could
help
culturally
history,
impact,
influence,
and
He stated, “When we believe
Holmes’ presentations were a
Holmes encouraged professionals not
rely
on
individuals
from
23