Colleges and universities in the last decade or so have gone down a concerning wormhole of activism, politics, and indoctrination with their students. In Texas we have even seen it, with places like Texas A&M even offering Diversity Equity and Inclusion courses in efforts to push the liberal agenda onto the next generation. That has not just been here, but all across the nation's colleges and universities.

But there is hope that classic education is making its way back into the fray. A new school, the University of Austin, has opened its doors and welcomed its inaugural freshman class. The school aims to do just that: traditional education removed from polarizing political stances. IN short, it plans to do what universities should be doing and educate kids.

Jeff McCall, a professor of media studies at DePauw University, says this gives a good option to people who want to avoid the nonsense that universities involved themselves in today.

"Colleges have gone into dogmatic indoctrination...so having a different kind of school that will focus on basics in education might be a good thing," he says. "This college I think will look for what is foundational truth and connect that to tenants of Western civilization...and I think there is a role for that."

As a result of the politics, expenses, and various other things, colleges across the country have seen a large dip in enrollment numbers. Many small schools have even had to close their doors after over one hundred years of education due to financial strains of low enrollment.

We might see more of this pop up as well, as those enrollment numbers continue to flounder, and universities dig harder into their DEI pushes.

"I think there is a role for this kind of school, and the market will tell us at some point if they can survive...but many people do not understand why college education is relevant," he says.

All of these additional programs from schools too have not ensured anyone a better life, more money, or career success. In fact, many new graduates find themselves frustrated because they struggle to find a job after school, especially with degrees in thins like liberal arts or social studies type programs.

These schools might also be a solution to an even bigger problem. This country is getting dumber, and the younger people especially lack the ability to think critically or think for themselves. They are told what to think, how to feel, and are blown whichever way the most popular wind blows.

"Across the country, we have schools not supporting free expression or free speech, where they try to stifle ideas...that is not a healthy thing," he says. "I think colleges need to recommit to having free expression and supporting the fundamentals of free speech and free inquiry."

McCall also adds that this should be about freedom of the mind, and letting students decide, instead of telling them how to think.

"Not answer every question that comes up, but question the answers out there, and let people come to their own conclusion...that is how you create rational thinkers...and we need more of that, instead of people who decide just on raw emotion," he says.

The University of Austin will begin classes next Fall.

Michael Berry