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What is a university?

Read here, reader, of its ivied walls and hallowed halls.

Margaret Soltan, June 27, 2013 5:43PM
Posted in: sport

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6 Responses to “What is a university?”

  1. charlie Says:

    A little over a year ago, UF decided to close its Computer Science department, in order to save $1.4 million. At the same time, the admins increased the football budget by over $2 million. The outcry, not just from the student body, but from universities and business, forced UF to rescind their initial decision.

    The question remains, why did UF make what seemed to be a very stupid move, which favored athletics over academics. Because it wasn’t stupid, UF was delivering what their constituents wanted, a preeminent football program. If the alumni, student body, nor the general FL taxpaying public, could care less if football coaches recruit criminals, the why would they care if the school closes down STEM departments, including one that has both physics and engineering overlaps? That’s for geeks and social losers, football is for real men and the women that love them.

  2. Jack/OH Says:

    I read the article. Ouch! Maybe UD’s faculty-free university will become a reality. Podunk Tech sheds all its students except for 500 pre-pro athletes taking independent studies in, er, experimental physics. Podunk Tech continues to exist as Hollywood set/Potemkin village, and in the memories of its alumni who get shaken down from time to time for donations.

    Charlie, ” . . . delivering what their constituents wanted . . .”. I hadn’t thought at all that “university” in 2113 may denote something like “regional entertainment facility and young adult playground mostly associated with major sports franchises, and heavily ornamented in classroom, laboratory, and studio motifs.” Thanks for creeping me out, buddy:)

  3. charlie Says:

    Jack/OH “…heavily ornamented in classroom, laboratory, and studio motifs.” A perpetual Christmas, set in Disney World, where anyone with access to student loans, can live cheek to jowl with Mickey/Minnie, and my favorite, Goofy, though I hear he’s off the wagon. Now, THAT should be university marketing copy…

  4. Jack/OH Says:

    Yeah, charlie, LOL.

    I thought of two headlines with sub-heads. #1: “Podunk Alumni, Service, Sports, Admin Boosted”/”Most Classes Dropped”. #2: “Podunk Boosts Classes, Majors”/”Alumni, Service, Sports, Admin Dropped”. Which would draw the most outrage?

  5. charlie Says:

    The latter, you can bet good cash money on it….

  6. Jack/OH Says:

    charlie, LOL. I knew I should’ve stayed home.

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