I'd really like to call your attention to this excellent article in Inside Higher Ed, by Frank Gaughan and Peter Khost.

While I don't agree with each and every point they make, I think they are really on the right track, and are thinking in some of the same ways that I am about writing.

Let me also strongly urge you to comment on the article, since there seems to be a dishearteningly consistent trend of conservative commenters who are not always as, well, thoughtful as one might hope.

Really, go now.