Paid to Volunteer

I think one of the biggest challenges is that we are increasingly regulating, by investing a ton of money, in the “experience” of higher education. Universities try to create “spaces” for more informal encounters, but at the same time want clear “outcomes” from those investments. At a certain point, the institution needs to take a HUGE step back and just let informal education happen. It’s almost like there is too much choice, driving students to unwind in ways that shut out the pressures of university, both inside and outside the classroom. I’m talking about binge drinking, unsafe activities, and drugs (where I teach, the abuse of prescription medication is rampant).

As we discover with young kids, we can spend all the money we want, but at the end of the day, all they want to play with is the empty cardboard box. I think the same thing goes for higher education, especially on the side of the professors. If professors didn’t have to worry as much about constant accountability measures, measurable outcomes, and reporting, we might be more likely to relax along with the students. If more people in front of the classroom had job security and more time, they may be more invested in the students outside of the classroom. If it didn’t feel like Big Brother was constantly monitoring all of us, we might relax, let loose, and really, really, learn.