Campus Files: "Dissension in the Ranks" – A Detailed Summary

Episode Release Date: March 26, 2025
Host: Audacy
Podcast Description: "Campus Files" delves beneath the surface of American higher education, uncovering scandals and controversies that challenge the mythic perception of college life. This episode, titled "Dissension in the Ranks," examines the intricate dynamics of university rankings and the lengths institutions may go to secure prestigious positions.

Introduction: The Allure and Reality of College Rankings

Margo Gray opens the episode by highlighting the competitive nature of college admissions, using Columbia University’s recent admission surge and subsequent scandal as a case study.

Margo Gray [01:35]: "Columbia University celebrated its most competitive admission cycle to date... fewer than 6% made the cut."

She sets the stage by explaining the significant impact rankings have on university reputations and student choices.

The Rise of University Rankings

Colin Diver, author of "Breaking How the Rankings Industry Rules Higher Education and What to Do About It," provides insight into the societal obsession with rankings.

Colin Diver [02:50]: "We are a competitive society and we are very much a consumerist society... status seekers."

Diver traces the origins of college rankings back to the early 20th century, emphasizing the pivotal role of U.S. News & World Report starting in 1983.

Margo Gray [04:15]: "U.S. News and World Report stepped in to fill the void, releasing its first ever ranking of the best colleges."

He critiques the methodology of these rankings as overly simplistic and arbitrary, questioning their validity.

Columbia University's Ascent and Deception

The narrative shifts to Columbia University’s rapid climb to the number two spot in U.S. News rankings in 2021, juxtaposed with underlying data manipulation.

Margo Gray [13:26]: "In 2021, Columbia University had big news to celebrate... ranked number two."

Michael Thaddeus, a tenured math professor at Columbia, becomes suspicious of the reported statistics.

Colin Diver [10:25]: "Rankings create powerful incentives to manipulate data and distort institutional behavior."

Thaddeus’s Investigation: Unveiling the Truth

Thaddeus embarks on a meticulous investigation, uncovering discrepancies in Columbia’s reported data versus his calculations.

Colin Diver [14:24]: "Two meant that we were tied with Harvard at MIT, that we were surpassed only by Princeton in this ranking."

Key inconsistencies included:

• Class Sizes: Reported 82.5% of courses with fewer than 20 students vs. actual below 67% [14:55].
• Student-to-Faculty Ratio: Reported 6:1 vs. actual 11:1 [14:55].
• Instructional Spending: Claimed over $3 billion annually vs. over $100,000 per student, an unrealistic figure [15:19].

Columbia University Professor [16:15]: "The money that Columbia doctors spend on patient care... was being inaccurately described as an instructional expense."

These revelations suggested intentional data manipulation to inflate rankings.

Administrative Response and Escalation

After publishing his 21-page report online, Thaddeus receives minimal attention until reaching out to the Columbia Daily Spectator, which sparks broader media coverage.

Margo Gray [19:08]: "Thaddeus had to reach out to the media himself."

The administration’s response was evasive. In a critical Zoom meeting:

Columbia University Professor [22:07]: "Someone who was present at that meeting... described it as an infomercial."

Thaddeus’s inquiries about specific figures were met with vague assurances, leading to increased frustration and distrust.

Consequences: Rankings Plummet and Legal Actions

By July, U.S. News temporarily removes Columbia from its rankings pending review. Subsequently, two Columbia students file class action lawsuits alleging data falsification.

Margo Gray [23:28]: "Columbia had plummeted from no. 2 to 18... its worst position since first appearing on the list in 1988."

This drastic drop not only tarnished Columbia’s reputation but also exposed the fragility and potential manipulation within the ranking system.

Long-Term Implications and the Future of Rankings

Thaddeus reflects on the broader ramifications of the scandal, advocating for skepticism towards ranking systems.

Columbia University Professor [24:28]: "I think rankings are going to be with us for a long time to come."

He argues that rankings persist because they provide a semblance of validation and ease decision-making for anxious students, despite their inherent flaws.

Columbia University Professor [25:02]: "People look to the rankings as validation of the prestige of their own school and therefore, by extension, as validation of their own individual self-worth."

In June 2023, Columbia opts out of the U.S. News rankings, challenging the authority and influence of such rankings.

Margo Gray [26:50]: "Columbia's decision raised concerns for US News, but fears of a mass exodus never materialized."

Conclusion: The Enduring Power of Rankings

The episode concludes with a critical examination of why rankings remain influential despite their questionable methodologies.

Columbia University Professor [27:51]: "I've spent much of the last few years just telling people university rankings are of no value and you should pay no attention to them whatsoever."

Thaddeus emphasizes that while the Columbia scandal has heightened public awareness and skepticism, rankings continue to wield significant power in higher education.

Margo Gray [28:25]: "Campus Files is an Odyssey Original Podcast... If you have tips or story ideas, write to us at campusfilespod@gmail.com."

Key Takeaways

• Ranking Manipulation: Universities may distort data to secure higher rankings, misleading prospective students and altering institutional behaviors.

• Methodological Flaws: The simplistic and arbitrary weighting of diverse factors in rankings fails to capture the multifaceted nature of educational institutions.

• Administrative Resistance: Institutions often resist transparency and accountability when confronted with discrepancies in reported data.

• Skepticism and Change: High-profile cases like Columbia’s have sparked increased skepticism, though rankings remain entrenched due to their psychological and societal appeal.

Notable Quotes:

• Colin Diver [02:50]: "We are a competitive society and we are very much a consumerist society... status seekers."

• Colin Diver [10:25]: "Rankings create powerful incentives to manipulate data and distort institutional behavior."

• Columbia University Professor [24:28]: "I think rankings are going to be with us for a long time to come."

For additional episodes and stories uncovering the hidden truths of American higher education, tune into "Campus Files" on Audacy.