Starving the Beast: The Battle to Disrupt and Reform America’s Public Universities

This documentary examines the ongoing struggle within American public universities, highlighting the tension between traditional values and modern market-driven approaches. It presents a philosophical shift, framing public higher education as a personal investment rather than a societal benefit. The film reveals how this perspective affects students and institutions alike, creating financial winners and losers in the educational landscape.

Focusing on notable institutions such as the University of Wisconsin, University of Virginia, University of North Carolina, Louisiana State University, University of Texas, and Texas A&M, the documentary captures the real-life dramas and conflicts arising from these reforms. It provides a critical look at the implications of treating education as a commodity, raising essential questions about access and equity in higher education.