The Birth Dearth Closes Colleges
“Americans started having a lot fewer babies around 2007, and fertility has not recovered. Each year since, fewer and fewer elementary, middle, and high schoolers have boarded school buses. This year, the American birth dearth turned 18, which means colleges and universities are beginning to feel the pinch.” - Breakpoint
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This is an important subject. I personally think we should make it easier for honest Mexicans and other South/Central Americans to immigrate legally. We need large families with some sort of Judeo-Christian ethic or we will go the way of the UK. It makes sense because our continents are connected.
"The Midrash Detective"
Lots of young men are forgoing college because they think (rightly in many instances) that the game is rigged against them, too.
But that noted, the thought that has come to mind for me recently is that people don't have kids when they see life as too risky or difficult, and when I see the lives of many young people these days, I'm not sure I blame them.
A big part of the problem is--surprise--colleges themselves. I've met any number of people with seemingly good degrees that are working hourly jobs with high school graduates because their degrees simply don't get them to the next level--and too many college guidance counselors don't warn them about this. So more or less, the colleges themselves have set the stage for their own irrelevance. The class of 2000 has, in effect, told the prospective class of 2025 not to go to college because of their own experiences.
Aspiring to be a stick in the mud.
After multiple attempts to remain open, Northland College, Ashland Wis., has announced it will close at the end of the academic year. The decision was made by the Northland College Board of Trustees, marking the end of the 133-year-old institution.
In a statement shared on Facebook, the Board expressed the difficulties facing small liberal arts colleges, particularly financial instability due to declining enrollment and increasing operational costs.
“Despite the collaborative efforts of the entire Northland family, we no longer have the resources needed to navigate the economic and demographic storms endangering small, liberal arts institutions today,” said Ted Bristol, Chair of the Northland College Board of Trustees.
The decision comes after the school initially opted to remain open in May. According to Northland’s website, the college’s financial stability had been in jeopardy since March 2024, when the Board declared financial exigency. In response, more than 1,000 donors contributed to a fundraising appeal, and the school reduced costs by streamlining academic programs and cutting staff. The fall 2024 semester began with a smaller student body and a focus on nine core majors.
Alongside the closure announcement, the Board of Trustees also accepted the resignation of President Chad Dayton. Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the Faculty Barb Lundberg has been appointed as Northland’s interim president to oversee the transition.
The closure of Northland College marks the end of an era for the Ashland community and alumni. As the college prepares for its final academic year, students, faculty, and staff face an uncertain future, with many looking for guidance on their next steps.
One of the things we noticed when we moved to the Sioux Falls, SD area were how many families with at least 4 kids there were. I'm not sure the reason for this, but it seems like there are more around here than others places.
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