Universities in the Marketplace : The Commercialization of Higher Education

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Summary: Thoughts on Bok's Universities in the Marketplace
Review: Derek Bok does a respectful job in describing the issues. The book provides an excellent foundation for the general public to understand the influence of commercialization on higher education. Higher education is big business in the United States. The book's relevance to issues related to intercollegiate athletics, higher education research, online delivery of education and other influences on academics is necessary to understanding the impact of commercialization, both positive and adverse, on higher education today.
I found the book to be interesting, yet somewhat limited in that often the book was repetitive and the ideas shared were fairly obvious examples and too narrow in scope. When the book was published in 2003, online education far surpassed some of the descriptions provided by the author. To suggest that one online class could cost one million dollars to develop is overstated and many of the examples of the type of pedagogy in online education were naïve and not current. Also, all Division I college athletic programs are not administered as Bok describes. He over generalizes when suggesting that admission standards at universities are lowered to accommodate student athletes. This is not always the case.
Certainly Derek Bok's credentials speak for themselves, but it appears that in writing this book, additional research and new ideas could have been presented.


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Summary: Excellent Structured Look at University Prostitution
Review:

Derek Bok, former President of Harvard University and author of two useful books on "the state of the nation", has done a very fine job of examining the commercialization of the university, with separate chapters on athletics (the golden goose tends to cost more to maintain than most realize, both in financial terms and in terms of negative impacts on scholarship); scientific research; and customized executive education offered on a for-profit basis.

While the author concludes with some recommendations, the book is best for its reasoned discussion of the problems. The prostitution of the universities, and the blandness of undergraduate education, are issued that will not be solved by any one community, any one state, or even by Congress. This is going to require a President committed to national education and public health as the "first plank" of any national strategy to united and nurture what I think of as the "seven intelligence tribes": national (spies and counterspies), military, law enforcement, business, academic, non-profit and media, and religions-clans-citizens.

As we have seen in time since 9-11, all of these tribes appear to be failing--national on 9-11, military in Afghanistan and Iraq, law enforcement on Hamas and Pakistani terrorists still active within the US, business in general (Boeing being had by Airbus, for example), now in this book, the universities, the failure of the media to support the debate on going to war with Iraq, and of the New York Times in ethics specifically, the self-indulgent failure of the Catholic Church to police its own priests--this is not a pretty picture. In all of this, the university is central to the creation of a public that should be fully versed in "civitas" and electing public officials who are liberally educated as well as scientifically trained. That does not appear to be happening. This book helps explain why.

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Summary: Bok's ivory tower
Review: A recent novel examines how a Professor, famous for finding a cure for breast cancer, is murdered by a colleague with the aid of the university president out of jealousy for the compensation for the invention. The novelist is careful to note that the story, while based on his imagination, draws on several cases, particularly in the North American continent, where highly qualified medical researchers have dared to disagree with their university deans and suffered vilification and persecution for their pains.

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Summary: A fairly candid accounting from someone who's been there
Review: Active university presidents, wary of saying anything untoward for fear of losing potential donors, are non-stop cheerleaders for higher education. Former presidents have the opportunity for candor but rarely take advantage of it. To some degree, Derek Bok is an exception to the rule. In this measured book, he sometimes reveals the warts in the current state of higher ed. Far from a screed, this book's criticisms are tempered, laced with some humor, and carry with them a sense of optimism.

Bok is far too kind and makes repeated excuses for the shortcomings in contemporary leadership in higher education. In a revealing segment, he opines that if R.M. Hutchins was a university president today, he would not have the ability to strongly influence decisions concerning university athletics. Baloney. Hutchins had conviction and courage, qualities that allow leaders to create positive change today as well as they did in the previous century.

That said, Bok is not shy to point out some shortcomings in universities today: a neglect of undergraduates, corruption in athletics, and a tendency for money to derail educational and research missions. Many others have made similar criticisms. But most have lacked the credibility and visibility of Bok.

Reading between the lines one can sense that Bok sees little value in faculty governance and views the professorate as inherently myopic. Change must, in Bok's view, come from the top.

This book is designed as a gentle warning. It's in some ways a watered down version of a book from the 1990s by another former college president - Killing the Spirit by Page Smith. Smith's book contained more vitriol and was read widely, but had no impact on changing the system. Bok's book isn't having any impact either. It is being ignored because it tells a story that university leaders don't want to hear. This is a well-meaning book and it's a shame it isn't getting the attention it deserves.

Rating:
Summary: A fairly candid accounting from someone who's been there
Review: Active university presidents, wary of saying anything untoward for fear of losing potential donors, are non-stop cheerleaders for higher education. Former presidents have the opportunity for candor but rarely take advantage of it. To some degree, Derek Bok is an exception to the rule. In this measured book, he sometimes reveals the warts in the current state of higher ed. Far from a screed, this book's criticisms are tempered, laced with some humor, and carry with them a sense of optimism.

Bok is far too kind and makes repeated excuses for the shortcomings in contemporary leadership in higher education. In a revealing segment, he opines that if R.M. Hutchins was a university president today, he would not have the ability to strongly influence decisions concerning university athletics. Baloney. Hutchins had conviction and courage, qualities that allow leaders to create positive change today as well as they did in the previous century.

That said, Bok is not shy to point out some shortcomings in universities today: a neglect of undergraduates, corruption in athletics, and a tendency for money to derail educational and research missions. Many others have made similar criticisms. But most have lacked the credibility and visibility of Bok.

Reading between the lines one can sense that Bok sees little value in faculty governance and views the professorate as inherently myopic. Change must, in Bok's view, come from the top.

This book is designed as a gentle warning. It's in some ways a watered down version of a book from the 1990s by another former college president - Killing the Spirit by Page Smith. Smith's book contained more vitriol and was read widely, but had no impact on changing the system. Bok's book isn't having any impact either. It is being ignored because it tells a story that university leaders don't want to hear. This is a well-meaning book and it's a shame it isn't getting the attention it deserves.

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Summary: Consideration Of Effects Of Commercialization On Academia!
Review: Anyone who has been associated with higher education in this country in the last fifty years is aware of the massive changes that have been sweeping over private colleges and state university systems in the last twenty to thirty years, changes ranging from the unfortunate consequences of political correctness to those associated with a relaxation of more rigorous academic standards to make such education "more accessible" to the population at large to other changes associated with the increasing concentration on more practical "vocational" educational skills to the proliferation of shop-as-you-go graduate educational programs, diploma mills designed to deliver to consumers a plethora of MBA and other business-oriented degrees in service to their career progression. Those of us professionally associated with higher education have often bemoaned the sad changes visiting themselves upon what was once a proud institution, the marvel of the western world in terms of its level of rigor, accessibility, and relative merit in terms of educational product.

In this recent tome by former Harvard University president Derek Bok, yet another form of change and devolution of all the academy once stood for is discussed with both intelligence and wit; the commercialization of institutions of higher education and the associated seduction and corruption of faculty, administrators and the university system itself. Bok takes a probing look at the many ways in which financial enticements have entered the ivory towers, and how such temptations are profoundly altering the business of the university system itself, often warping both the mission of the institution as well as the intellectual products flowing from the academic marketplace. Beginning with the advent of financial gain associated with college sport programs, the author wonders out loud at what point the transformation of what was once an ancillary concern for additional source of academic funding became a much more purposeful source of university profit, resulting in much more deliberate efforts on the university's part to use sport for financial gain.

He similarly muses over the fashion in which independent medical research efforts within university setting have become captive to the driving force of pharmaceutical and other medical enterprises, such that the focus and progress of medical research becomes much more focused on particular kinds of patent-driven and/or profit-oriented enterprises, efforts that if successful can turn humble medical researchers into instant millionaire tycoons. Similarly, universities now find themselves competing over intellectual hot properties like cybernetic wiz-kids, with places like Harvard offering fringe benefits like free homes in Concord or Lexington MA in order to lure promising young computer superstars capable of drawing a lot of grant money and/or corporate sponsorship to the institution. Finally, he debates as to what the practice of beginning such internet-based distance learning programs will have on both the quality and nature of higher education in the future, since it could well have significant consequences for those wishing to actually do their study on-campus.

Of course, commercialization has some positive aspects to it, as with the excellent (and quietly profit-oriented) extension university system associated with Harvard. One can gain access to the same faculty and coursework as is available in the full-time day programs at Harvard in part-time evening programs (both undergraduate as well as graduate) that are relatively inexpensive, have few entrance requirements and all of the advantages of a more rigorous Harvard liberal arts education. While it is likely true that the program exists as a way of Harvard itself cashing in on the cache of its name, it offers a quality educational program and provides a potential excellent product for a discerning consumer. At base, this is an absorbing book, one well worth the time and effort to thread through its 200 some pages in search of some provocative and thoughtful observations of the drawbacks associated with the increasing commercialization of the university marketplace. It is a book I can highly recommend. Enjoy!

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Summary: Great information
Review: Athletic marketing, academic research, alumni donations, corporate research and marketing are all topics that uniquely affect the quality and diversity associated with academic freedom. The level of control that should be applied to higher education by outside forces is the main premise of this book. Mr. Bok takes each issue and delves deeper in the cause and effect of the commercial opportunities available to institutions of higher education.
The author lays down the foundation, history and future of the introduction of commercialization into higher education. Athletics and Scientific research became the main target of academia from the corporate world before reservations could be addresses to control their impact on academic freedom. The topic of bias from these influences, for profit, runs deep in the world of higher education. The quality of the basic principles of education were initially corrupted and the world of higher education had to become fully aware of the implications of the very commercialization they were encouraging.
Derek Bok, formerly President of Harvard University and Dean of the Harvard Law School, shares the experiences which have given him the depth to fully explain the benefits and detriments of letting the commercial world into higher education. While there are benefits and honor given to colleges that take on research project with corporate backing, or sell clothing, hats, or icons of their sports teams, Mr. Bok continues on to explain how letting these little "for profit" endeavors into higher education will take legitimacy and academic freedom control from the institution. He further gives great input on protecting and preserving the integrity of instruction and research within higher education. He encourages teaching and keeping the rules that apply uniquely to the world of academia. Academic freedom and higher education need to be ever vigilant in the protection from corporate, alumni, athletic, and research money or influence.
Derek Bok does a great job in covering the issues that affect higher education in the effort to bring in new sources of funding for programs, buildings, and research. He has a clear grasp of the conflicting values and needs of the institution. His book clearly and humorously explains alumni, corporate, and racial influences that try to pressure the institution regarding where colleges get their funding, what to do with the research findings, and just how devout fans of college athletics should be rewarded. His guidance to other institutions regarding these facts and how to respond to ensure the integrity of the institution is clearly in keeping with the academic freedom that should be enjoyed by higher education.
My personal reaction to this book was enthusiastic and grateful. My concerns for the freedom to learn and discover within education has been stressed further by the No Child Left Behind Act and my new knowledge of how our government is supporting the recertification's of teachers and the application of technology to further NCLB's success. It is good to see a well written and received book on keeping our integrity and still benefiting financially from the additional funding available through these new resources. My learning and teaching in higher education is benefited by knowing more about how and why university Presidents make the financial decisions that can be tricky decisions and sometimes controversial to the influence the institution has on society. It also reaffirms to me that there are people out there making sure academic freedom and the integrity of all education will continue to flourish and move society forward. Further education of faculty, students, alumni, religious and political groups will encourage these influences and the pressure they exert on the institutions to be more aware of the goals and basic responsibilities that make higher education unique and truly educational.


Rating:
Summary: Gazing into the future of universities
Review: Derek Bok, a professor and formerly president of Harvard, writes about the pressures for commercialization that institutions of higher education face and are likely to face in the future. (Commercialization is defined as "efforts within the university to make profit from teaching, research and other campus activities.") In particular, Professor Bok has taken on three major themes: commercialization of athletics, research and education (online teaching, extension programs, etc.)

For one, this book is a useful reality check. Through scores of studies, Professor Bok dispels the myth that these three activities are profitable. Save few exceptions, these endeavors prove financially disastrous. More than that, there are the hidden dangers of compromising a university's academic standards and standing in the community. The call for a candid evaluation of the costs of commercialization is half of the book's theme.

The other half outlines prescriptions and guidelines for university presidents about how to handle these increased pressures. Professor Bok suggests revision to NCAA rules, and university oversight and care to limit the influence of corporate sponsors over research or the curriculum taught in schools.

In the end, "Universities in the Marketplace" is a reminder that universities are built around values: "the larger message of a liberal arts education [is] that there is more to life than making money." These values and the collaborative spirit, on which universities thrive, are threatened by the mistaken perception that there is money to be made by exploiting a school's name. The adherence to high standards is an old prescription for new pressures, and the one that Professor Bok suggests as the ultimate guideline for dealing with the threats of the future.

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Summary: Commericializing higher education poses significant risks.
Review: Derek Bok, former President of Harvard University, presents a clear and thoughtful examination of the risks of commercializing higher education, while recognizing that there are times when the benefits of such activities will outweigh the costs. The greatest risk that commercialization poses is the gradual erosion of the values that have served the university in its American form so well for nearly four hundred years. His book stands as a warning, albeit a balanced one, of what can be lost by excessive focus of creating university products for the market.

As one might expect, Bok's discussion focuses on the research university, but at a time when so many universities and colleges are in financial distress, it is of relevance for all of higher education. There is a useful set of notes that indicate contemporary sources that relate to his theme, showing familiarity with a variety of interesting materials. Without a doubt a valuable work that makes the reader eager for more.

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Summary: Universities for Sale-- farewell to precious knowledge!
Review: Unfortunately, political and industrial interests are putting pressure (although not always willfully) on academia, to serve narrow business interests. The medical schools are already tainted by the funding power and controlling interests of the pharmaceutical industry as well as misguided university administrators (who think they can accept money and influence without getting over involved).

Just as many colleges have been compromised by how they run their athletic endeavors (e.g., admissions policies, lower admission standards, substandard courses such as "physics for football players") so to are universities endangered by selling off their scientific research as well as labeling nonscientific and trivial research as equivalent, nay superior to scholarly research. The main message of this book is (except for medical schools) it is not to late to say for universities and college administrats to say no to seemingly limited (but in the long run devastating) business and financial propositions that will debase the precious knowledge that has for two hundred years been the hallmark of a truly HIGHER EDUCATION--not EDUCATION for HIRE with great educational and social harm.

Bok's book (Bok is a former president of HARVARD) does explain that there are legitimate business partnerships and ventures for the modern university, but that they must be on guard so as not to throw out the baby ("scientific knowledge and the liberal arts") with the bath water ("the need for funding during bad economic times such as is the present case and reduced goverment funding").

If you are a professor, college administrator, or student, please buy and read this book. We don't want to see the great universities of the USA erode any further. Examples of this erosion are many poor quality courses delivered on the Internet, faculty who are not first rate scientific minds being given tenure, acceptance of commercial sponsorship for textbooks, advertisements in the classroom and even in urinals, etc.

In most cases it is probably not too late to stop the destructive short term relationships that many universities have misguidedly entered into. But if the fundamental problems are not addressed, the precious knowledge that has traditionally been the product of American universities will be replaced by pseudo-knowledge without social or individually enhancing knowledge that will contribute to the welfare and progress of the USA and the rest of the world.