On Wed, 16 Aug 2000 14:41:29 -0400 Rick Adams <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> 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
I've heard it said that the product being marketed is a degree/diploma, not
an education. --SLS
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