Billionaire's gift eliminates student loan debt for 396 students.

druryj said:

Sorry, but I seriously disagree. What about people who WANT to major in subjects such as History, or English, or Art? There is value in a Liberal Arts Education beyond simply being trained to do a specific job. Where would we be as a society without great writers or artists? Besides, many with a degree in a subject like History go on to be quite successful in a wide variety of endeavors. As far as Technical, or Trade Schools, as you put it, Oklahoma already has one of the finest Career Tech Systems in the Country. The partnership between Higher Ed and Career Tech allows students to earn credits towards both, while the Partnership between Higher Ed and K-12 allows qualified juniors and seniors to earn college credits that contribute to both high school and college general education course requirements. Speaking as one who has worked, and retired from Higher Ed, I can unequivocally state that a major problem, one more serious than the mere fact that "life ain't always fair" as pertains to those who worked their way through college or whose parents scrimped and saved to help pay for it, is the dumbing down of America's High Schools. Way too many incoming freshmen require remedial English and Math upon entering college. These zero-level courses are not degree required courses, they are merely there to get students to a level where they can succeed in college level course work. I can't tell you how many students I had tell me, (and some parents too) that "college was too hard". (Suck it up Buttercup). The number of students who aren't prepared to do college level work is appalling to me, a guy who spent many years trying to help/get them to graduate. (But...but...I sometimes have to study almost every night for 3 or 4 hours, sniff sniff. The Professor is too hard, whine whine).

A second major problem is Administrative Bloat across the spectrum in Education. I'll cite one example and you can take it from there: It's a fact that the Greater Oklahoma City Metropolitan Area (Metro OKC) is one of the geographically largest in the country. Urban sprawl brings its own unique problems in infra-structure, such as roads and power. A city very similar in regards to size, population and geographic characteristics to Metro OKC is Jacksonville, Florida. Now, back to administrative bloat; Jacksonville has one school district. Metro OKC? 26. That's right; 26 school districts with 26 Superintendents and the associated staffs to do the job of ONE school district in Jacksonville. Can you see the issue here? Consolidation and the appropriate redistribution of available resources (mainly speaking; money) might help, an educated person might well think. But why don't we do it? I have no idea why, other than the supposition that people generally are resistant to change and that those in power are hard pressed to give it up.

I believe that a short study on how Metro OKC got to be the administrative behemoth it is today will show that early on, many of the area's first developers and financiers here, like Anton Classen and P.B. Odom competed and fought for land, and built the city to suit their own needs and goals, without regard or even perhaps advance knowledge to the effects of urban sprawl and what the result might look like in the future. One of those results is the complexity and burden of the 26 separate school districts which all compete for cash, tax dollars even, at least partially to ensure their own survival, and not student success in high school and college.

Bravo to the man who paid off the student loans. To those who made it through without the burden of debt? Well, good for you. Excellent, even. And remember; life ain't always fair. Some are born with money behind them and brains to boot. Others are born to poor or working-class parents and may also be lacking in talent. All can succeed, but in reality, only to the level of their capabilities. The myth that you can be whatever you set your mind to is just that; a myth. You can be what your capabilities will let you, if you work really hard and exploit them to the fullest. The rest is fantasy.

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pstmstr said:

Great post. The number of admin positions in OK schools and all colleges across the country is ridiculous. Most professors have 1 class a week, if that. The number of superintendents in public school systems is a joke.
As for the money, it was his to give as he saw fit. I do find it amusing that many of those allegedly principled students with loans don’t care how he got the money he gave them.


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donner said:

i'm curious about the 'most professors have 1 class a week' comment. As someone married to a professor for the past 13 years, i'm trying to remember a time when my wife had that kind of schedule. I think there was once, after negotiating a course release as part of her hiring process, but mostly it's been a 2-2 (two classes each semester). Some places it's a 4-4. That does vary by what else is going on in the department, though. And what grad classes need to be offered, if people need to do independent studies, thesis advising (both undergrad and post grad). But some grad classes do only meet once a week, but usually for three hours or so, IIRC.

But then again, she isn't promoted on teaching and spends a good bit of time with office hours, grading, etc. Research is what 'matters' to the higher ups. Pre-tenure it was such that her job depended upon getting publications. Get denied and get fired. Strong motivation to do the things they say matter.

So anyway, i'm wondering where the places are that offer the option of only teaching one class.

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pstmstr said:

OU for one. Pun intended.


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pstmstr said:

Right. Often times the one lecture a week is given by a grad student instead of the Professor. Higher education is a racket and students are grossly overcharged for their education. Costs could be cut drastically by eliminating administrative staff that do very little other than stroke each other’s egos. She may be the exception but it’s a rampant problem.


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druryj said:

A comment in regards to the number of classes taught, at a lot of colleges, and I have worked at 4, an individual’s pay is at least partially if not mostly tied to credit hours taught. That is of course in addition to the other things that many do. Some may choose to teach just 1 course, it’s not at all uncommon to find adjuncts who do so. It’s a side gig for some, for others, they pick up extra course sections once others are filled. So don’t think the majority of full time faculty are only working a few hours per week, and making big bucks because they’re not. Some of the highly educated folks, even here, in little old Oklahoma, are recognized leaders in their academic field and as already stated, the expectations of research and publication weigh heavily on them. The majority of waste across the board lies squarely with the administrative layer. Too many chiefs and not enough Indians. Or too many Generals and not enough soldiers if you want to be politically correct; I don’t particularly think it’s that big of a deal. Students succeeding should be the goal, not building new admin office spaces or providing fancy perks for the Big Wigs.


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