I can’t write that I was overly surprised after skimming through the wording of the classifications and looking up Old Dominion University’s own statistics. In recent months, as I gear up to potentially move and begin a PhD program in another state, I’ve had several discussions about the differences between “Research 1” and other classifications of institutions. Most of these conversations have been centered on how I may want to continue my academic career: did I want more research or teaching emphasis? And the realization, of course, that the choice, depending on the institution, is often made by taking a position there in the first place.

Still, I found the classifications interesting. Or, I should clarify, I found the justifications of the changes to the classifications much more interesting. Categories are always tyrannical and given down from a position of power. That Carnegie gets have its name in the classification system shows a profound level of power, there. Impressive if not equally troubling.