Houston
I found myself agreeing with virtually every word Arizona State University President Michael Crow said here at the College Board Forum about the lack of innovation in higher education these days. Not lacking in self confidence, Crow is pointed about the changes colleges and universities must embrace if they are to compete effectively in today's global economy.
Crow is right in arguing that most college vision and mission statements are bland, meaningless offerings that fail to differentiate one institution from another. He is correct in stressing the importance of what he calls "intellectual fusion" on college campuses, exhorting rigidly separated academic disciplines to work together in an interdisciplinary manner that mirrors how the world actually works. He is absolutely right in calling for administrators to speed it up, considerably. He distinguishes between "university time" and "civilian time," urging colleges to move much, much faster in making and implementing decisions. Finally, Crow says we "need to quit patting ourselves on the back and get real" about the collective lack of innovation in higher education. Well, the data Richard Rodriguez's panel shared with us last night suggests Crow is right and the time to act is now - fast!
p.s. Downtown Houston remains an uninspiring, desolate place. However, Vic and Anthony's Restaurant is a welcome oasis, at least if your taste runs to gigantic Texas steaks and dark, wood-paneled solemnity.
I found myself agreeing with virtually every word Arizona State University President Michael Crow said here at the College Board Forum about the lack of innovation in higher education these days. Not lacking in self confidence, Crow is pointed about the changes colleges and universities must embrace if they are to compete effectively in today's global economy.
Crow is right in arguing that most college vision and mission statements are bland, meaningless offerings that fail to differentiate one institution from another. He is correct in stressing the importance of what he calls "intellectual fusion" on college campuses, exhorting rigidly separated academic disciplines to work together in an interdisciplinary manner that mirrors how the world actually works. He is absolutely right in calling for administrators to speed it up, considerably. He distinguishes between "university time" and "civilian time," urging colleges to move much, much faster in making and implementing decisions. Finally, Crow says we "need to quit patting ourselves on the back and get real" about the collective lack of innovation in higher education. Well, the data Richard Rodriguez's panel shared with us last night suggests Crow is right and the time to act is now - fast!
p.s. Downtown Houston remains an uninspiring, desolate place. However, Vic and Anthony's Restaurant is a welcome oasis, at least if your taste runs to gigantic Texas steaks and dark, wood-paneled solemnity.