Alma Mater Oh Dear

[Splashed across the front page of today's Chronicle is a story that will surprise no alumnus of the school from which I obtained my law degree in 2004. The Western Association of Schools & Colleges found in a one-day inspection evidence of all kinds of administrative and financial mess at New College of California, and has threated to pull its accreditation of the school.]

[Wading thru administrative screwups was par for the course during my years at NCOC; it was something one became aware of during orientation and got used to fairly quickly. One knew that the Powers That Be weren't particularly Powerful, that they regarded the day-to-day business of running a private institution of higher education to be a necessary evil that got in the way of their true mission in life.]

[The law school was somewhat insulated from the daily dysfunction over at Valencia Street (we had our own problems that were similar but less constantly vexing), and I know I wasn't the only who felt fortunate that visits there were only necessary a couple of times per semester. One got the feeling that the admin staff wanted to a good job, but that they had little support.]

[The quotes in the article from students and faculty ring absolutely true. I'd be curious to know which faculty have left in protest. There really are amazing academics doing unique, high-quality work at New College. I believe I got a better legal education than many get at better-run schools with better reputations (not to mention the ABA accreditation that NCOC has never sought, with good reason). And while their hippie mission for educating to create a just, sacred and sustainable world is undeniable in its power, they're not going to get there by sitting in a circle, passing the talking stick, and hoping for the best. (And yes, I understand one could apply those words to one's own life.)]

[I wish them luck.]

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