Well, two somethings -- yes, if my life depended on it I would master the nutrition stuff pretty fast, but I think I should live as if my life depends on it, because in the long term, it will in one way or another.
On the topic of academia, you have identified one of the most important facts -- that each university or college is actually two institutions. One consists of the faculty, students, and (generally) the classified staff. The other consists of the upper administration and the board of regents. One side wants to educate; the other wants to run a successful business. The tension is constant.
As for getting more money if students stick around, consider this -- lower division classes have much higher credit-hour production than upper-division classes (that is, credit hours earned by students compared to teacher hours paid for by the institution). Think about the huge 100-level lecture courses in chemistry, psychology, etc. that have one professor and a gang of incredibly cheap TAs -- then think about a 400-level lab course that has 20 students, one professor, and maybe one TA. What brings in more money?
Then there's the whole legislature part where they pass bills that have nothing to do with learning, but that's another rant for another time.
Well, two somethings -- yes, if my life depended on it I would master the nutrition stuff pretty fast, but I think I should live as if my life depends on it, because in the long term, it will in one way or another.
On the topic of academia, you have identified one of the most important facts -- that each university or college is actually two institutions. One consists of the faculty, students, and (generally) the classified staff. The other consists of the upper administration and the board of regents. One side wants to educate; the other wants to run a successful business. The tension is constant.
As for getting more money if students stick around, consider this -- lower division classes have much higher credit-hour production than upper-division classes (that is, credit hours earned by students compared to teacher hours paid for by the institution). Think about the huge 100-level lecture courses in chemistry, psychology, etc. that have one professor and a gang of incredibly cheap TAs -- then think about a 400-level lab course that has 20 students, one professor, and maybe one TA. What brings in more money?
Then there's the whole legislature part where they pass bills that have nothing to do with learning, but that's another rant for another time.
Reply
Leave a comment