Determine Whether the Following Passage Is (Or Contains) an Argument

Short Answer

Determine whether the following passage is (or contains) an argument.
"[Lionel L.] Lewis discovered that, in recommendations of merit written by administrators and faculty themselves, although they put much emphasis (two-thirds) upon student related activities-teaching, advising, course planning, and popularity-no one argues from any supporting evidence other than, 'Everyone knows.'"
-David
A.Downes, "The Merit Muddle in the University"