When I stepped up from the presidency of George Washington University to become a professor, people asked me what new adventures I was considering. First and foremost, I replied, is a return to the classroom, to engage with graduate students about policy issues of higher education, my professional passion. (I have been doing that.) Second is to write a book, an activity that will move me away from the immediacy of daily decision making toward the more reflective world of analysis. (In 2008 two have been published: BMOC, Simon and Schuster and Letters to the Next President of the United States, Korn Ferry Institute). After that, I’m open, I said to the inquiring minds.
I’ve been fortunate to invest my time in many activities: some local engagements with civic organizations; and others with a broader reach — working with Korn Ferry International searching for the next generation of academic leadership. And, yes, one of the great pleasures of the past year has been to be part of the debut of Brainstorm. It has been a privilege to work with an interesting group of scholars, thinkers, and practitioners, to write on a broad range of issues, mostly educational in theme, although not always. I’ve heard from many — sometimes in the form of comments put up online, but also through private, one-on-one emails. From these exchanges, I’ve renewed old friendships, met new colleagues and in several cases, used the ideas to develop future projects.
If I’ve had a mantra, it has been that higher education is one of the most significant activities in the nation. It continually creates intellectual capital to lead the future; preserves the values of free inquiry; propels research and scholarship; discovers solutions to academic and social problems; and, more often than not, encourages the thoughtful exchange of ideas. In the best of situations, higher education is a safe harbor for history; an investigator of what came before as well as a harbinger of what is yet to occur. The thrill of uncovering the past is matched only by discovering a clue to the future. Whether one’s eye is scanning a microscope or following political polls, developing knowledge is key to learning how to live well and wisely. What could be more exciting than to work among tribes of teachers and students, spending one’s time making sure they remain free to interact?
But higher education is a challenged enterprise, one that needs to be rethought and rebuilt. The current economic meltdown is altering the stakes for all constituencies. From automobile plants to investment banks, companies are looking at new ways to build products and deliver services, to economize when possible and to demonstrate prudent uses of resources. Colleges and universities must do the same. In simple terms, it is necessary to acknowledge the worth of a dollar: to fairly compensate faculty and staff for their work; and be confident that value is provided. Tenure guarantees academic freedom, not freedom from the academic.
No longer content to be put through the hazing of the academy, students are reminding administrators and faculty that they are the consumers of services that need to be designed for both practicality and refinement: preparing for careers and life. And somewhere along the way, universities must instill within students the appreciation that with their formal education and their symbolic sheepskins comes the obligation to return the favor — to give back.
I’d like to believe that I helped move the higher education dialogue forward, but frankly, I’m not always sure. I am concerned that at times the nature of the Brainstorm comment section brought forth the same half-dozen people relentlessly (passionately?) in a way that narrowed the scope of the discussion and prevented the big picture from taking form. We must guard against the conversation becoming shrill or myopic, for a strongly held opinion is worthwhile only as long as the speaker opens his ears as well as his mouth.
I look forward to continuing a dialogue with those who wish to engage in one — either in person or online. Write to me at: trachtenberg@gwu.edu.
Shalom. As Edward R. Murrow liked to say, “Good night and good luck.” And don’t forget to vote.
