Has DEI Become More Important Than Academics At The Air Force Academy?
By Scott Sturman
November 17, 2023
Views: 881
Public Domain
In 2013 the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) Superintendent Lt. General Michael Gould introduced a formal DEI program at the institution. In his comments he repeatedly lauded the benefits of DEI and acknowledged that its importance was no less than the academy's vaunted academic program. At the time one could conclude that the general was exaggerating DEI's unproven advantages in order to draw media attention to the sudden adaptation of a transformative philosophy of cadet training. Now, ten years later, it appears that DEI has usurped the academic department’s predominance.
From the fall of 2017-2018, six permanent professors, including a department chairman, resigned from the Air Force Academy. The timing, circumstances, and reasons are unknown, but in a statement published last week all of the professors pointed to sweeping cultural changes at USAFA. In the open letter they detail the actions of the Dean of Academics, who was disdainful of the Honor Code and averse to academic excellence. He developed academic courses of low expectations to adapt to the scholastic aptitude of intercollegiate athletes. An atmosphere of intimidation silenced full professors, as the dean transferred power and influence to civilian faculty members. The degradation of the academic experience is so complete that the professors wonder if recovery is possible.
The academic distinction between USAFA and civilian institutions is becoming less evident. Currently, civilians constitute 42% of the academic department. According to the U.S. News' Best College Rankings, USAFA's national ranking in the National Liberal Arts Colleges category improved from #39 to #18 from 2020 to 2022. Astronautical and aeronautical engineering rate best in the country but only among institutions that do not offer doctorate degrees—a low benchmark compared to historic norms, when the academy's engineering education equaled the most prestigious engineering schools in the nation.
https://armedforces.press/has-dei-become-more-important-than-academics-at-the-air-force-academy/
