Instead of fostering innovation, hard technical skills, and creativity, we’re promoting fraternities, social status and extracurriculars. In other words: top-down societies. If college were actually “bottom-up”, student government would actually have power (like it did in the 60s), and your value would only be defined by what you create. Not how you dress. In other words: trade schools.

I read your blog concerning distance education programs and your general observations regarding just “what” a college education should really be! It’s refreshing to see others thinking about college as a holistic enterprise as opposed to a quasi “trade school.” You might be interested in our ongoing research through the Center for Learning Outcomes Assessment based at Indiana State University; we’re finding data that fully supports your arguments. Our website offers a summary of our ongoing findings, but I’d be happy to share a copy of the full report at your request. I hope you’ll be interested in our work and will find it informative!