Thursday, February 13, 2014
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Problems of Universities
Well, I've been retired from professing for over three years now; and I pretty kept my peace about the general state of university life. Admittedly, my perspective is limited; I was employed full-time at only two state universities. One for 38 years.
There are a lot of things that are being done well; some not so much.
The biggest problem that immediately confronts potential students is the cost. Costs of tuition and other expenses have greatly outstripped what might be expected due to general inflation. And, let's face it: some university towns tend to milk students for what they're worth on rent, food, and other amenities. Therefore, they come out of universities with massive debts: possibly as much as $100,000 dollars! How about being saddled with that at such a young age?
But universities don't keep costs down, either. Some of that is self-defense due to decreasing levels of state assistance per annum. After all, the money must come from somewhere. But there's also a lot of baggage.
One of the things I've noticed is the general proliferation of administrative-level personnel (oops, human resources!). There's a lot of these persons that are involved in decision-making and they have dramatically increased the overhead of many universities. And the salaries! While it's reasonable to expect that a dean or a vice-president should be paid more than a professor, some of them draw fantastic salaries. Not to mention the presidents or chancellors! The former President of Ohio State drew $1.9 million a year!
But when it comes to actual instruction, more and more class sections are taught by adjunct (part-time) instructors. These are paid very poorly by comparison. As a matter of fact, full-time tenure-track faculty positions are declining as these carry more of a load. And, what makes it worse, they are given no health insurance or retirement benefits. Universities should be ashamed of this, if they were capable of shame.
Not to mention how teaching assistants are trained!
Athletics, of course, is overemphasized. But it was also the case 40 years ago too.
And there are fraternities, some of which are known for their boorish behavior. When will these relics of the past go away?
Another problem is legislative interference. State legislatures are the source of funding, and they sometimes tack on their own agendas. For example, at one institutions I had been employed many years ago, all students were required to take a course, Americanism Versus Communism. (Guess what side they were supposed to take.)
The American university system is perhaps the glory of our education system, especially on the graduate level. But these aspects are real problems.
There are a lot of things that are being done well; some not so much.
The biggest problem that immediately confronts potential students is the cost. Costs of tuition and other expenses have greatly outstripped what might be expected due to general inflation. And, let's face it: some university towns tend to milk students for what they're worth on rent, food, and other amenities. Therefore, they come out of universities with massive debts: possibly as much as $100,000 dollars! How about being saddled with that at such a young age?
But universities don't keep costs down, either. Some of that is self-defense due to decreasing levels of state assistance per annum. After all, the money must come from somewhere. But there's also a lot of baggage.
One of the things I've noticed is the general proliferation of administrative-level personnel (oops, human resources!). There's a lot of these persons that are involved in decision-making and they have dramatically increased the overhead of many universities. And the salaries! While it's reasonable to expect that a dean or a vice-president should be paid more than a professor, some of them draw fantastic salaries. Not to mention the presidents or chancellors! The former President of Ohio State drew $1.9 million a year!
But when it comes to actual instruction, more and more class sections are taught by adjunct (part-time) instructors. These are paid very poorly by comparison. As a matter of fact, full-time tenure-track faculty positions are declining as these carry more of a load. And, what makes it worse, they are given no health insurance or retirement benefits. Universities should be ashamed of this, if they were capable of shame.
Not to mention how teaching assistants are trained!
Athletics, of course, is overemphasized. But it was also the case 40 years ago too.
And there are fraternities, some of which are known for their boorish behavior. When will these relics of the past go away?
Another problem is legislative interference. State legislatures are the source of funding, and they sometimes tack on their own agendas. For example, at one institutions I had been employed many years ago, all students were required to take a course, Americanism Versus Communism. (Guess what side they were supposed to take.)
The American university system is perhaps the glory of our education system, especially on the graduate level. But these aspects are real problems.
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy
This is bad news to bring up during football season, but there is increasing awareness of possible long-term neurological consequences of repeated concussion-type injuries. Formerly, these were associated with boxers, and was at one time referred to as traumatic encaphalopathy of pugulists -- in other words, being punch-drunk.
This diagnosis can only be made post-mortem; but here's a list of players who had confirmed or suspected diagnoses:
List
Brett Favre has stated that he would not let his son play football; and I respect his decision as a loving and conscientious father.
I wonder if we should reconsider its prominence in American culture. Are we doing thing the right thing by encouraging this potential form of chronic brain pathology? They need to radically revise how the game is played, or discourage it if this persists.
Severe amnesia problems are not normal in 40-year-olds. I hope stiffer penalties for head shots or other potentially dangerous hits will do it. But we may need to go further.
Especially for high school or college football.
Some cheerleading competitions have forbidden the use of standing pyramids or other dangerous gymnastics. If that sport can do it, certainly football also can.
This diagnosis can only be made post-mortem; but here's a list of players who had confirmed or suspected diagnoses:
List
Brett Favre has stated that he would not let his son play football; and I respect his decision as a loving and conscientious father.
I wonder if we should reconsider its prominence in American culture. Are we doing thing the right thing by encouraging this potential form of chronic brain pathology? They need to radically revise how the game is played, or discourage it if this persists.
Severe amnesia problems are not normal in 40-year-olds. I hope stiffer penalties for head shots or other potentially dangerous hits will do it. But we may need to go further.
Especially for high school or college football.
Some cheerleading competitions have forbidden the use of standing pyramids or other dangerous gymnastics. If that sport can do it, certainly football also can.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Seriously Inappropriate School Play
A Spanish school staged a play in which some of their students played camouflage-wearing Spanish soldiers invading Gibraltar, and shooting other students playing Brits. Suppose the Brits in the play didn't die according to script? Kids would rather be on the winning side.
I remember another Spanish-speaking nation trying an actual invasion of a British-owned island and it did not turn out very well.
Apparently, we're not the only country with dumb ideas.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/gibraltar/10339883/Spanish-school-stages-invasion-of-Gibraltar.html
I remember another Spanish-speaking nation trying an actual invasion of a British-owned island and it did not turn out very well.
Apparently, we're not the only country with dumb ideas.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/gibraltar/10339883/Spanish-school-stages-invasion-of-Gibraltar.html
Thursday, September 26, 2013
Football Predictions Week Five
South Carolina 45 Univ. Central Florida 7 -- What idiots scheduled this one?
Alabama 35 Ole Miss 17 -- While Bama was uninspired last week, they should have more enthusiasm for the Rebs.
LSU 24 Georgia 21 -- This is the SEC Game of the Week.
Vanderbilt 29 UAB 13 -- Again, a SEC team has a semi-week off.
Tennessee 40 South Alabama 14
Texas A & M 45 Arkansas 17
Florida 31 Kentucky 10 -- Florida probably learned its lesson last weekend.
Missouri 38 Arkansas State 10 --Mo is too strong for the Red Wolves.
Well, I hope I do better than in the previous weeks. Don't use my picks as info on filling out your football pool card.
Alabama 35 Ole Miss 17 -- While Bama was uninspired last week, they should have more enthusiasm for the Rebs.
LSU 24 Georgia 21 -- This is the SEC Game of the Week.
Vanderbilt 29 UAB 13 -- Again, a SEC team has a semi-week off.
Tennessee 40 South Alabama 14
Texas A & M 45 Arkansas 17
Florida 31 Kentucky 10 -- Florida probably learned its lesson last weekend.
Missouri 38 Arkansas State 10 --Mo is too strong for the Red Wolves.
Well, I hope I do better than in the previous weeks. Don't use my picks as info on filling out your football pool card.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Alabama School Asks Permission for Corporal Punishment
Well, Alabama managed to get another negative news item: Now Leeds City School sent home with all children a consent form allowing the school to use corporal punishment on their children. If the parent does not return the form, this is taken as implied consent. No specifics are included as to which offenses might be dealt with using corporal punishment, or the like.
In other words, the school would like a blank check saying it's okay to beat the child in question.
This is another example of how Alabama manages to shoot itself in the foot from time to time.
Eliminating corporal punishment in schools is long overdue. I know it's legal in 19 states; but it doesn't make it right!
http://news.yahoo.com/alabama-elementary-school-parents-want-hit-kids-161123090.html
In other words, the school would like a blank check saying it's okay to beat the child in question.
This is another example of how Alabama manages to shoot itself in the foot from time to time.
Eliminating corporal punishment in schools is long overdue. I know it's legal in 19 states; but it doesn't make it right!
http://news.yahoo.com/alabama-elementary-school-parents-want-hit-kids-161123090.html
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Football Predictions Week Four
Vanderbilt 30 Massachuetts 24 -- An interesting intersectional game.
Georgia 45 North Texas 17 -- An easy one for the Dawgs.
Arkansas 38 Rutgers 16 -- The Hogs look improved, and should prevail.
Florida 45 Tennessee 20 -- Tennessee needs a quarterback. Florida needs some cred in the SEC East.
Alabama 42 Colorado State 10 -- After last week's headline game, the Tide gets a breather. Still, not one to blow off.
Texas A & M 44 SMU 20 -- The Aggies are pissed; and the Mustangs are what's available as a consolation victim. Johnny Football continues to mouth off.
LSU 28 Auburn 14 -- In this Battle of the Tigers, the Bayou ones prevail
Mississippi State 35 Troy 14 -- Ho hum! It's the Bulldogs.
Missouri 31 Indiana 24 -- These Tigers win also.
Georgia 45 North Texas 17 -- An easy one for the Dawgs.
Arkansas 38 Rutgers 16 -- The Hogs look improved, and should prevail.
Florida 45 Tennessee 20 -- Tennessee needs a quarterback. Florida needs some cred in the SEC East.
Alabama 42 Colorado State 10 -- After last week's headline game, the Tide gets a breather. Still, not one to blow off.
Texas A & M 44 SMU 20 -- The Aggies are pissed; and the Mustangs are what's available as a consolation victim. Johnny Football continues to mouth off.
LSU 28 Auburn 14 -- In this Battle of the Tigers, the Bayou ones prevail
Mississippi State 35 Troy 14 -- Ho hum! It's the Bulldogs.
Missouri 31 Indiana 24 -- These Tigers win also.
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