The university has dropped in the U.S. News and World Report rankings for the third year in a row.

Three years ago, TCU was in the top 100. Today, it sits on the No. 113 rung.

But fear not, Horned Frogs. Based on the administrators’ comments and information from the U.S. News and World Report on how these numbers are determined, the process seems shoddy at best. A lot of weight is placed on peer review from administrators at other universities, which is too subjective to reflect the actual value of the education TCU offers. Some universities market to other universities for this very reason.

“I get stuff in the mail from other colleges trying to convince directors of admissions and deans of admissions that they’re a good school,” Director of Freshman Admission Wes Waggoner said. “Some schools market to other college presidents because of this.”

In Chancellor Victor Boschini’s words, “It’s a total popularity contest.”

The swanky Union, upgraded football facilities and the new dorms indicate that administrators at TCU prioritize the students’ lives on campus. The speakers who visit campus, the highly respected professors in their fields of study who occupy the classrooms and the continually expanding study abroad program indicate TCU administrators also prioritize the students’ academic and cultural growth.

There is no need to spend tuition dollars on brochures that basically suck up to other university administrators so they would give TCU a good review.

The university and its students should feel secure in its quality, even if the number that supposedly represents it might not look so promising.

Administrators are doing well in standing firm to what they – and the students – believe to be beneficial to the university.

Thank you for not being sycophants.

Web Editor Saerom Yoo for the Editorial Board.