Donald H. Matthews: Behind the glitz at Naropa

[Stevyn]

http://www.dailycamera.com/Opinion/ci_2 ... -at-Naropa

I am well aware of the contingent of Boulderites who have a tremendous loyalty to Naropa University. However, I am also aware of the large number of persons who have been negatively impacted by this institution. As a former professor at Naropa, I have experienced the good and the bad and I am sad to say the bad far outweighs the good. I am especially concerned by the large number of students who have had their education derailed and future job prospects limited by a university administration that has placed its own needs at the forefront of its mission.

A look at federal statistics and other credible reports demonstrate that Naropa has one of the worst records of any university in the U.S. The attrition rate is high and the graduation rates for undergraduates atrocious. There are no stats for job placement, probably due to the fact that few graduates obtain jobs in their chosen field of study. This is also true of a graduate population that regularly incurs tens of thousands of dollars of educational debt yearly so that many students will owe over $100,000 for a degree that will not supply employment that will come close to justifying their education.


I could say more about the lack of ethnic diversity in the student body and in the curriculum but all students are affected by this and other negative factors. My heart goes out to my former students who have not and will not be able to fulfill their goals due to the lack of educational resources, and adequate services that would contribute to their success. I have taught a number of classes in which the majority of the students have self-identified themselves as having mental health challenges only to find that the university does not provide the services that would help them to deal with their issues. Too many times I have counseled students who are without food and shelter or who are left by the wayside once the glow of being at a "contemplative" university has subsided only to discover that they have no employable skills or training with which to address the catchy and deceptive school mission of "Transforming Self, Transforming the World."

I hope that instead of the Daily Camera valorizing the few successful programs and glitzy success stories that it would do its investigative duty and get to the root of the problems that exist at Naropa University. It is currently undergoing reaccreditation procedures by the Higher Learning Commission. Now would be the perfect time to get the real scoop and scope of what Naropa is about.