Barbara wrote:
> A few general questions for TIPSters:
> When you hear a college or university say it is "student centered," what
> does that mean to you?
Grade inflation, unfortunately! <sigh>
> What do you think it "should" mean?
That the student has a wide range of educational opportunities and that the
focus of the institution is on TEACHING, not just on obtaining research
dollars or preparing a student for the commercial marketplace.
> In your experiences, how have you seen that
> philosophy being put into practice?
Theoretically only.
Most administrators are far more concerned with pleasing the business
community and attracting research dollars to focus on the STUDENT as the
"consumer" of the "product (education)" being marketed.
As an instructor in a Community College that has close ties to the business
community, I've watched a steady decline in the number (and variety) of
academic courses offered to the students in favor of more sections of career
oriented courses aimed at preparing them to meet the needs of the local
businesses instead of providing the necessary background to transfer to a
four-year institution. To me, that's simply cheating the student for the
sake of local businesses!
Rick Adams
Department of Social Sciences
Jackson Community College
--
"... and the only measure of your worth and your deeds
will be the love you leave behind when you're gone."
Fred Small, J.D., "Everything Possible"
