In late February, James McCormick, Chancellor of the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education, appeared before the state house appropriations committee. During his testimony, Representative Lita Cohen, a Republican from Montgomery County, accused the Chancellor of wasting taxpayer dollars by graduating students who are "not fit for any type of job."
Cohen stated, "With all due respect . . . I think 56 percent [graduation rate], at best, even after six years, is disgraceful." She went on to accuse graduates of not being able to write simple sentences, and of not being prepared to get a job "in any type of industry or profession."
Her statement provoked controversy across the state, largely from alumni of state schools, most of whom tend to stay in the state after graduation. Then when it came out that Cohen graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, the debate became a series of accusations of Ivy League snobbery.
Local news stations everywhere broadcast clips of her testimony, as well as violent reaction from graduates of state schools. Some people, the alumni argued, actually had to work to put themselves through school. They weren't born into money and they didn't have Ivy legacies to get them into exclusive schools, but they worked just as hard, were just as talented and got just as good an education as Ivy students.
The controversy highlights a difficulty that many Ivy League alumni tend to have in politics. The stereotype of an Ivy League student as someone enshrined in wealth and status engenders a great deal of resentment, and often politicians don't do enough to discourage such a judgment.
Bill Bradley '65 and his unsuccessful presidential bid represent a good example of this sort of conflict. Bradley may have been the most qualified candidate in the field in terms of analytical and management abilities. His problem was that he was unable to connect with voters. His frequent lack of enthusiasm and his seemingly condescending attitude toward reporters conveyed an image of arrogance.
And that is precisely the sort of impression a Princeton grad, Rhodes Scholar and NBA champion cannot afford to convey. The public had already perceived his life to be too easy, and his media persona only helped to encourage the stereotypes and misgivings that surrounded his candidacy.
In fact, the only Princetonian in the White House during the 20th century was Woodrow Wilson, a man whose own inflexibility and condescension led to an erosion of support for his policies in Congress.
John Kennedy succeeded despite a legacy of wealth and a degree from Harvard, largely because he found a way to connect with voters, convincing them he was not merely a product of his background. While institutional factors ensured that only Gore and Bush survived the primary season, both have been criticized for being too pampered and bred for the job. Neither has the charisma of Kennedy or Bill Clinton.
Clinton may be the best example of how to lose the Eastern elite stigma. A Georgetown undergraduate, Rhodes Scholar and Yale Law graduate, Clinton never lost his Southern accent, demeanor and appeal. With all the criticism he has endured, he has never been accused of being a sheltered Ivy leaguer. In contrast, Bradley emphasized Princeton over his Missouri childhood and was rejected largely for his stiff, academic demeanor. While his message was one of sacrifice and racial understanding, it was hard for people not to wonder about his elite background, especially since his self-proclaimed experience in racial healing came from his stint as a pro basketball player.
So Cohen has a real problem, in that she has taken on an issue without solid ground to stand on. Instead of starting a debate over how Pennsylvania education dollars should be used, she provoked a parade of name-calling and accusations of elitism. If she can't find a way to back out of the controversy or distance herself from the Ivy League association, she may end up losing both the debate and her seat in the House.
Read More
Princeton needs to be a climate justice leader — emphasis on the ‘climate,’ emphasis on the ‘justice’
Alex Norbrook and Eleanor Clemans-Cope“Princeton must not only withdraw its support from injustices, but also positively re-invest in sustainable and community-informed initiatives.”
“Princeton must not only withdraw its support from injustices, but also positively re-invest in sustainable and community-informed initiatives.”
Princeton must move towards a world-changing curriculum
Luqmaan Bamba“If we in the Orange Bubble are supposed to be taught how to be changemakers, our education should not just stop at learning about change but also extend to the tangible application of it.”
“If we in the Orange Bubble are supposed to be taught how to be changemakers, our education should not just stop at learning about change but also extend to the tangible application of it.”
Statement of solidarity with Columbia University students from Princeton faculty and staff
Guest ContributorsIn an open letter, Princeton University faculty and staff express solidarity with Columbia University and Barnard College student protestors by boycotting the universities until their demands are met.
In an open letter, Princeton University faculty and staff express solidarity with Columbia University and Barnard College student protestors by boycotting the universities until their demands are met.
