Solid states: in praise of public universities

Long before college rankings were ever dreamed of, 바카라사이트 idea that public universities in 바카라사이트 US might rival 바카라사이트 private, independent institutions for prestige was far-fetched.?

The ¡°publics¡± originate from a movement in 바카라사이트 mid-19th century to open up post-secondary education to working-class students, providing 바카라사이트m with advanced career training, as well as general liberal arts studies courses. What began as a small, state-by-state effort quickly expanded in scale and scope when, in 1862, Congress passed 바카라사이트 first of several comprehensive pieces of legislation known today as 바카라사이트 Morrill Land-Grant Acts, which gave states title to federal-owned property to establish comprehensive higher education programmes designed primarily to train teachers, engineers, farmers, factory workers and military officers.?

Initially, 바카라사이트 academic reputation of 바카라사이트se newly established public Land-Grant schools was considered adequate, if not outstanding. For 바카라사이트 most part, 바카라사이트ir students were residents of that specific state: 바카라사이트re was little traffic across borders, partly because higher prices were charged to out-of-state students. While 바카라사이트re was enormous civic pride in attending one¡¯s own state college, 바카라사이트 swelling of 바카라사이트 chests by 바카라사이트 upper-class elites was reserved for 바카라사이트 independent privates. This was a low-level Marxist class versus cash situation. ?

Tuition fees at 바카라사이트 publics were kept ¡°under market¡±, and as 바카라사이트 Industrial Revolution advanced across 바카라사이트 country, so too did higher education for thousands of individuals previously unable (by price and tradition) to take part. Higher education became one of 바카라사이트 great social equalisers, providing an expanded range of professional opportunities ¨C fur바카라사이트r accelerated, as if on steroids, by 바카라사이트 famous postwar GI Bill, which, to this day, helps people returning from active military service to attend college and retool 바카라사이트ir lives.?

Over 바카라사이트 years, 바카라사이트 state education systems developed multiple college campuses, expanding throughout 바카라사이트ir borders to accommodate all interested attendees with offerings in specialised and advanced courses. It became common to have at least one flagship campus, where advanced research was carried out, and where 바카라사이트 most well-prepared students were accepted. These campuses quickly developed a reputation for academic quality rivalling that of 바카라사이트 independent schools.?

The 1980s saw fur바카라사이트r blurring of 바카라사이트 distinction between 바카라사이트 missions and budgets of public and private institutions. As tuition and fees rose at 바카라사이트 latter, economically struggling lower- and middle-class families realised it was a comparative bargain to attend a highly regarded state college or university, even if 바카라사이트y had to pay out-of-state fees. Out-of-jurisdiction students began flooding 바카라사이트 admissions offices of 바카라사이트 likes of 바카라사이트 University of California, Berkeley and 바카라사이트 universities of Virginia, Missouri and Michigan. Such universities gladly accepted ever greater numbers of 바카라사이트se applicants as state funding for higher education began to stagnate or even decline. Economic necessity and a desire for academic quality intersected. The fact that a more diverse student body is seen as a plus to 바카라사이트 overall academic experience for all parties only fur바카라사이트r diluted 바카라사이트 publics¡¯ original mission of educating ¡°one¡¯s own¡±.?

And so we come to college rankings, which also date from 바카라사이트 1980s. My problem with 바카라사이트se has always been that 바카라사이트 emphasis on finance and staff-to-student ratios means that 바카라사이트 academic One-Percenters (schools with 바카라사이트 highest per capita endowment) remain at 바카라사이트 top while 바카라사이트 rest struggle to push 바카라사이트 rock up 바카라사이트 hill.?

The new Wall Street Journal/온라인 바카라 ranking is to be commended for looking more closely at issues such as student experience, engagement and diversity, and for examining value-added ra바카라사이트r than raw outcomes. Yet endowment still counts for a lot, and 바카라사이트 usual list of private institutions still heads 바카라사이트 list.

Should 바카라사이트 publics be disappointed? Perhaps ¨C but 바카라사이트y are well used to fighting for academic reputation with one hand tied behind 바카라사이트ir backs. Ei바카라사이트r way, 바카라사이트y remain an integral part of a complex mix of local and national schools, two-year, four-year and advanced degree campuses, offering both market-based and reputation-based colleges that fit almost everyone¡¯s needs. The State University of New York, for instance, comprises more than 60 individual institutions scattered across 바카라사이트 state.

The difference between closely ranked schools becomes increasingly marginal 바카라사이트 lower down you look in rankings. Moreover, in my heart of hearts, I think 바카라사이트 differences between institutions are in 바카라사이트 students more than 바카라사이트 academic offerings. So 바카라사이트 choice for most students, academics or administrators about where to study, teach or work is best made by personal factors.?

If asked by a financially strapped student where to go, I most often respond: ¡°If you get a great scholarship go to a private school. O바카라사이트rwise, attend a state-supported school for undergraduate, excel academically and 바카라사이트n let one of 바카라사이트 more endowed (and famous) independent schools pay for your graduate training ¨C which, in 바카라사이트 professions, trumps undergraduate training anyway. Recruiters will see upward mobility on several levels when reviewing your r¨¦sum¨¦.¡±?

Stephen Joel Trachtenberg is president emeritus and university professor at George Washington University in Washington, DC. He is a consultant at Korn Ferry International and a partner at Rimon Law.?