As one who resigned a tenured faculty position last year in order to devote fulltime to my current web publishing (and related) efforts, I enjoyed Carl Elliott’s review in the Wall Street Journal of the book, “The Fall of the Faculty.”
Elliott writes that author Benjamin Ginsberg…
“…argues that universities have degenerated into poorly managed pseudo-corporations controlled by bureaucrats so far removed from research and teaching that they have barely any idea what these activities involve. He attacks virtually everyone–from overpaid presidents and provosts down through development officers, communications specialists and human-resource staffers–but he reserves his most bitter scorn for the midlevel “associate deans” and “assistant deans” who often have the most direct control over the faculty. Mr. Ginsberg refers to them as “deanlets,” but at my institution they are often called “ass. deans.”
…
This enormous investment in administrators has not translated into a better college education. As administrative numbers have ballooned, teaching has been turned over to the academic equivalent of temp workers–low-paid adjunct professors who must often travel long distances between campuses and who are employed on short-term contracts without benefits. In the 1970s, 67% of faculty members were tenured or tenure-track appointees; today that figure is a mere 30%. Administrators prefer adjuncts not just because they are cheap but because they are less likely to resist administrative overreach.”
As difficult as it may be to relive some of the memories, I think I need to buy and read Ginsberg’s book. Those who sign huge checks for college tuition may want to as well.
Opinions on other issues in news, journals, PR, advertising, marketing
Puleeeeease... this 'game changer' weight loss drug causes more nausea and vomiting than a placebo. Some game, some change. My friend Gary would spank you for using the eighth word medical reporters should never, ever use. @garyschwitzer @thackerpd
https://www.healthnewsreview.org/toolkit/just-journalists-writing-tips-case-studies/7-words-and-more-you-shouldnt-use-in-medical-news/ https://twitter.com/OttawaCitizen/status/1361426796126830597
A scary @statnews Op-Ed warns that govt attempts to rein in Pharma may cut off access to "life-changing" drugs.
It takes @garyschwitzer to let us know: the author spent 10 years as Pfizer's public-policy chief. https://twitter.com/garyschwitzer/status/1360325022578053123
.@TranspariMED criticizes STAT op-ed for not disclosing pharma funding of author’s institute - similar to criticism we’ve made of STAT op-eds in the past. @transparify @ThinkTankWatch @icer_review https://www.healthnewsreview.org/2021/02/transparency-watchdog-criticizes-stats-non-disclosure-on-pro-pharma-op-ed/
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