Panel discusses universities' role

To kick off a series of lectures devoted to the "Future of the Research Institution," a panel of university presidents engaged in a discussion yesterday afternoon at Rackham Amphitheater to address the role of universities as the world faces societal and technological changes.

The panelists included University President Lee Bollinger, University of Phoenix President Jorge Klor de Alva and American Association of Universities President Nils Hasselmo. Hasselmo is also a former president of the University of Minnesota.

"As we head into a new millennium, it seems only fitting that, as a university community, we begin to question our place and role in what lies ahead. Are we keeping pace with the times and being responsive to the needs of higher education and societ

DANA LINNANE/Daily University President Lee Bollinger discusses the future role of universities in society and technology yesterday at the Rackham Amphitheater.

y?" Rackham Dean Earl Lewis said in a written statement.

Klor de Alva began the discussion by questioning the goals of education. The emphasis of higher education, he said, has shifted from traditional learning to professional training.

"Clearly, we are seeing a blurring between training and education," Klor de Alva said, adding that the average student is increasingly older and taking classes while holding a full-time job.

These students, he said, often don't want to pay extra fees - such as funding for athletic complexes - that do not directly impact their education. "They want convenience. They want efficiency. They want cost-effective education," Klor de Alva said.

Klor de Alva praised the benefits of long distance learning via the Internet. The University of Phoenix, where Klor de Alva is president, is an on-line institute of higher education.

When an audience member asked the panel about the risk of the commodification of education, Bollinger said he doesn't "like to think of students as customers." The administration and faculty cannot simply give students what they want, he said, but must have the space to exercise their expertise.

Bollinger said the role of higher education involves more than just presenting a student with an accumulation of facts and information. An entire culture and community needs to be created to "merge sensibilities" and understand one another's point of view, he said.

Part of the importance of creating a community, Bollinger said, is securing the tenure of the faculty. In order to create a university culture, the professors must be in-residence and completely immersed in its day-to-day activities, he said.

Often politicians think tenure is the obstacle to efficient higher education, but this is not the case, Hasselmo said, explaining that tenure is essential to giving faculty the freedom to pursue their academic interests.

Audience members brought up other concerns, including how to teach students how to think and the extent of the public's input in higher education.

University Arts of Citizenship Program Director David Scobey will speak Feb. 23 for the next lecture of the series, "Putting the Academy in Its Place: Building Bridges between the University and the Community," at the Rackham West Conference Room.

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