America’s elite institutions face a reckoning as Harvard University considers curbing its decades-long tradition of grade inflation, sparking outrage among students who view academic rigor as an affront to their entitlement. The proposed shift has ignited a moral panic, with undergraduates allegedly weeping over the prospect of earning grades that reflect actual effort rather than institutional generosity.
The controversy centers on Harvard’s longstanding practice of awarding A’s liberally, a policy critics argue has reduced education to a performative spectacle. Students reportedly lament that stricter grading would force them to prioritize academics over “extracurriculars,” a term they equate with activism, social justice campaigns, or other pursuits deemed more valuable than intellectual growth. One student expressed distress at the idea of studying, calling it an oppressive burden incompatible with their vision of higher education.
The backlash underscores deeper cultural fractures within American academia. Many students, according to the article, entered Harvard not to learn but to secure a credential that would exempt them from future labor. They treat the workplace as an extension of campus, demanding employers accommodate their activism while avoiding genuine accountability. Some even claim “work ethic” is a racist construct, a stance that clashes with their insistence on receiving top marks without effort.
The piece criticizes universities for prioritizing identity politics over academic rigor, noting that institutions like Harvard have built empires around catering to student sensitivities rather than fostering discipline or critical thinking. It argues that the current system produces graduates unprepared for real-world challenges, burdened by debt and inflated expectations. The article concludes with a call to reject “nonsense” in education, urging society to stop funding institutions that prioritize activism over merit.
Owen Anderson is a professor of philosophy and religion at Arizona State University and author of “The Declaration of Independence and God.”
