To the Readers of Phi Beta Cons:

Are you tired of the persistent efforts to obtain consumers’ opinions these days? A day or two after you stay at a hotel, you receive an email request to take a survey. (That is in addition to suddenly seeing that hotel’s ad jump around, following you). If you take the bait, you find that it is a long survey! I’ve sometimes stopped half-way through, realizing that I shouldn’t have to spend time struggling to remember the little details of a one-night stay at a place I may never return to.

Phi Beta Cons isn’t doing that. However, as an administrator, I am seeking your comments to improve the site. No survey. Just feel free to send your thoughts to me at [email protected].

It’s been strong year of growth in the site’s readership–in spite of some glitches 10 months ago when NRO revamped its website. Most of those problems are gone now (although you may still have some trouble getting immediate access to comments; keep trying).

We are grateful to NRO for recognizing the importance of higher education by supporting this blog, thankful for our wonderful writers, and appreciative of our loyal readers and the increasing number of new ones.

Have a Happy New Year! This may be the year that higher education makes perceptible changes in the right direction.

Jane S. Shaw