As a long-time admirer of Thomas Sowell, I look forward to his regular random thoughts columns where his exceptional wit runs wild on the passing scene. Hence, as a fly on the wall of higher education, I’ve decided to provide you with a few random thoughts of my own:
Students don’t take notes anymore. When I presented an exam study plan to my class, they all whipped out their iPhones and snapped a picture. Being surprised by a sea of smartphones is quite an experience. I now know how Justin Bieber feels, somewhat.
Like it or not, the college degree is a screening tool for employers. If employers want to see if there is any steak behind the sizzle, ask degreed job candidates to name the last book they read. For a second option, ask those candidates “what they studied in school.” I’ve found that such questions differentiate between those with punched tickets those with intellectual curiosity. Of course, some interviewers didn’t learn much in college either. In that case, good luck.
Because fewer African-Americans possess college degrees than whites, why is requiring a degree for employment not grounds for a disparate impact lawsuit?
University of Kentucky head basketball coach John Calipari made headlines during the NCAA Tournament for pushing back against the labeling of his players as poster boys for “one-and-done” student athletes. Coach Cal was adamant that his players “succeed and proceed.” Yet, his description of succeeding conspicuously leaves out the student part of student athlete. Considering that many of these “one-and-dones” play student while really focusing on the NBA draft, perhaps one-and-done should be “fake it till you make it.”
After one semester of teaching a business ethics course, I’ve come to realize that the course is really B-School’s insurance policy against a corporate scandal by one of its graduates. Ethics with an adjective is not really ethics.
Another thing I learned after 10 years in higher education: Those who can’t do, teach. Those who can’t teach do research. Those who can do research, but can’t teach get tenure. Those who can teach, but can’t do research become adjuncts. Those who can’t do research and can’t teach get denied tenure and then move on to another university–where the tongue-twister starts anew.