Quote Originally Posted by BobH View Post

I think that standards overall have been lowered to allow more people to qualify for university entrance. Seems that is in keeping with turning education into more of a business proposition at the university level.
I believe you've unfortunately hit the nail on the head there Bob. Unis are increasingly about bums on seats, recruiting overseas students (who bring with them overseas tuition fees - full disclosure: I was one myself when I was a postgrad in Scotland), and a sharply increased focus on programs that are seen to bring profit and recognition from the business world to the university. There's nothing necessarily wrong with that per se, but it should not be the point of a university. Unis are also increasingly top-heavy with the number of administrators and vice-presidents skyrocketing while the number of faculty - particularly tenured faculty - falling. As someone who values learning and education for the sake of learning and education, and who believes that society as a whole benefits from *good* education at all levels, it is a slightly depressing time. Many of my friends who are profs and lecturers in the UK are considering jumping ship because so much of what they are required to do has nothing to do with teaching or research, and everything to do with keeping assorted bean-counters and management 'experts' happy. The same trends seem to be picking up steam here and in the US as well.

I am feeling very curmudgeonly today.

Time to go to the workshop and make something...