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> For a start, let's cut any administrator that was not considered needed for the proper running of a university 30 years ago. What makes you so sure universit

> For a start, let's cut any administrator that was not considered needed for the proper running of a university 30 years ago. What makes you so sure universities were sufficiently well-run 30 years ago? And what makes you so sure other people agree with you?

labcomputer 6y ago
Well, I agree, so that's a start. Nobody is suggesting that universities were perfect 30-40-50 years ago. But... the parents of millenials seemed to thoroughly enjoy college back then, so they couldn't have been run that badly. On top of that, when I compare my undergrad experience, 20 years ago, to that of my nieces and nephews attending today (or cousins who attended 10 years before me), I fail to find substantive differences. Sure, there is a general trend that cafeteria food has improved (or, at least, schools brag about it more), and dorms are a little fancier, but how does that justify the administrative bloat?
- bambataa 6y ago
  Well, maybe the programs just weren't aimed at you or your family? Maybe diversity programs had a large impact on other people and it would be useful to learn their views before discarding diversity administrators because we don't see the point.
btilly 6y ago
I was in university 30 years ago. It was sufficient to educate me. Going from that point to this, the cost of university has more than tripled in real dollars. A significant portion of that change is increases in money spent to administrators. It seems absurd that anyone would think that the education received today is worth over triple the education received 30 years ago. I know, as a parent, given the choice I would cheerfully prefer to pay for my kids to get the university experience that I received and have no debt than I would have them get stifling loans for the modern university experience and start their lives in debt. I know very few parents that disagree with me on that.

labcomputer 6y ago

Well, I agree, so that's a start. Nobody is suggesting that universities were perfect 30-40-50 years ago. But... the parents of millenials seemed to thoroughly enjoy college back then, so they couldn't have been run that badly. On top of that, when I compare my undergrad experience, 20 years ago, to that of my nieces and nephews attending today (or cousins who attended 10 years before me), I fail to find substantive differences. Sure, there is a general trend that cafeteria food has improved (or, at least, schools brag about it more), and dorms are a little fancier, but how does that justify the administrative bloat?

bambataa 6y ago
Well, maybe the programs just weren't aimed at you or your family? Maybe diversity programs had a large impact on other people and it would be useful to learn their views before discarding diversity administrators because we don't see the point.

btilly 6y ago

I was in university 30 years ago. It was sufficient to educate me. Going from that point to this, the cost of university has more than tripled in real dollars. A significant portion of that change is increases in money spent to administrators. It seems absurd that anyone would think that the education received today is worth over triple the education received 30 years ago. I know, as a parent, given the choice I would cheerfully prefer to pay for my kids to get the university experience that I received and have no debt than I would have them get stifling loans for the modern university experience and start their lives in debt. I know very few parents that disagree with me on that.