The Fundamental Way That Universities Are an Illusion – The New York Times.  Here is Another, Per Gross and Bok (and me)

Source: The Fundamental Way That Universities Are an Illusion – The New York Times “…Because universities aren’t as they appear, systems designed to improve them tend to fail…” That is a critical observation. Here is Bill Gross’ view of what colleges really are, and why it is so hard to change them. “…Universities are run […]

Harvard Admissions Needs ‘Moneyball for Life’ – The New York Times

The university should start filtering for self-importance, and future big donors. Source: Harvard Admissions Needs ‘Moneyball for Life’ – The New York Times

“What to Learn in College to Stay One Step Ahead of Computers” Ok, But is That the Problem?

Universities are struggling to figure out how to impart information to students that won’t be overridden in the near future by computers and robots. Source: What to Learn in College to Stay One Step Ahead of Computers – NYTimes.com I commented. (twice, unfortunately.  I thought they had deleted my first comment:() Unfortunately, as thoughtful as […]

Low Productivity, What Impact Does Education Have?

US innovators claim they have never been busier, but their ideas are persistently failing to transform the country’s economic data. Labour productivity fell an annual 1.9 per cent in the first three months of the year, while unit labour costs rose Source: Low productivity alarms US policy makers – FT.com I commented but more in […]

Maybe One Reason Why So Many Graduates Don’t Get Good Jobs.

Campus clubs spring up for early birds to rouse classmates; 9 a.m. is ‘really late’ Source: In China, Sleepy University Students Experience a Wake-Up Call – WSJ I commented. “They should come here for college. According to the well-researched Academically Adrift, American students only need to study about 13 hours a week, leaving lots of time […]

The Headline is Correct; But For the Wrong Reason

Why getting a four-year bachelor’s degree brings large benefits to those seen as marginal. Source: College for the Masses – NYTimes.com Here is my comment. “Back then, a high school education was the new ticket to the middle class. Today, a college education is.” This is patently not true. Study after study contradict this – […]

Mr. Bruni, Don’t Be Surprised When You Don’t FInd “Academic Virtues” in Academe

Hollywood Trumps Harvard – NYTimes.com. Professors Gates and Oz are just doing what hordes [of] professors and administrators do regularly – act in their own interests, letting us praise “academic virtues”, not them. I’m a former math professor. After over twenty years inside the tower, I have seen how easy it is to prey on […]

Do the Richest (Universities) Have Enough? And A Contest for Grads:)

Rich colleges and universities are getting a lot richer, study finds – The Washington Post. You can explore further by clicking on “endowments” in the Tag Cloud (on the right).  I especially recommend this post for some financial facts that surprise many; or, if you are familiar with financial statements, look at schools like Stanford.  […]

When Is It Ok For a Non-Profit To Misrpresent Its Fees to the Public?

The Real Reason College Tuition Costs So Much – NYTimes.com. “This is just another peak behind the door that hides the real goals and social order of America’s system of “higher” education. But its not only public schools that play fast and loose with their descriptions. Private colleges do, also – most even more so. […]