Officials at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill are concerned over

the fact that only 84 percent of its students graduate within 6 years.

Details <a href=”

http://www.newsobserver.com/102/story/421379.html”>here.

Of the 16 percent who don’t, 6 transfer, which is certainly not a cause for

worry, and 10 drop out, “primarily because of academic trouble.” That is

worrisome, as it shows an academic mismatch between the university and a

significant percentage of the students it admits. The problem may be worse

than that 10 percent figure; some struggling students may stay in school and

eventually graduate, but learn little from the experience.

The funny thing about the article is the excuses that are brought out to

explain why so many students have serious academic difficulty. “Some went to

rural high schools that offered no advanced classes, and some are

first-generation college students.” Evidently it is so taboo to admit that

affirmative action leads to the admission of students who are not

academically able to make it that scapegoats must be found.