The University of Akron is at a critical crossroad. The university is the premier public research and teaching institution in Northeast Ohio. But the policies of President Scarborough and the board of trustees will remake the university into a technology training facility with national online courses. These are two very different types of higher education.
They represent the difference between knowing how to do something and understanding what is happening. It is like the difference between an electrician who can wire your house and an electrical engineer who can design a power grid. You can train an electrician, but you must educate an electrical engineer. We need both. We need higher education facilities that serve both needs.
The university is a strong, mid-sized institution that has historically met the needs of our community educating the sons and daughters of immigrants and rubber workers. Over the years the university changed as resources were invested by local industries and the state of Ohio to build specialized research capabilities and to bring in top teaching and research talent.
Excellence in the faculty attracts graduate students who want to study and work with high-caliber people. Research dollars flow to the university as grants for basic research. Our excellent reputation in polymers, materials and corrosives is based on real achievement.
The strength and growth of certain colleges affects other areas of study, and all boats rise on the intellectual tide. The physical campus itself has been rebuilt to reflect the dynamic changes taking place in its classrooms and laboratories. The university offers a liberal arts foundation for all students. This is a wise recognition that true education requires knowledge of history, literature, science, art, music and health as well as special knowledge in one field.
An educated person can think critically, evaluate information rationally and contribute to the community and our democracy. Steve Jobs said he built Apple at the intersection of liberal arts and technology.
President Scarborough has a plan for the university that will change its historic course. First, he says that we can no longer afford tenured professors. This means the best and the brightest will not be coming to Akron; neither will the top graduate students. They will choose to go elsewhere. Instead we will have “teaching professors” who are paid less, do not do research and are not at the top of their profession.
We will have for-profit companies providing online classes for students on campus and across the country who are recruited by marketers. Only a few elite tenured professors will remain.
The plan proposes that new centers be established. One is the Center for Data Science Analytics and Information Technology. This is not a college. It will offer certificates for those who complete their training. The first director is a successful business man from Microsoft who was hired as executive in residence.
The mission is to “fulfill regional tactical and strategic workforce needs.” This type of education is less expensive and more efficient than traditional college work. This is the planned future of the University of Akron or, perhaps, Ohio Polytechnic University.
These will not be the only changes. The humanities will be downsized and condensed as different departments are merged and as faculty members leave without being replaced. Graduation requirements for English, history and social sciences will be reduced because they are not seen as having value in achieving technological proficiencies.
President Scarborough says we need practical experience as part of the education process. This can be marketed to prospective students nationwide who will then “skip over” other universities and come to Akron.
Experiential learning is nothing new. The university has always been rich in co-op learning, internships, clinical work and joining class work and real life experience. But these will now be promoted as something unique that will make us distinctive. With our rebranding as “polytechnic,” our slashing “Z” and aggressive, expensive advertising, he claims we will market our way to success.
Is this the change we want? Do we want to return to the days of “Hilltop High” and compete with Stark State and the University of Phoenix?
President Scarborough does not acknowledge that this is what he envisions. But it will be the result of what is actually being done. He claims we will be competing with Georgia Tech, Virginia Tech and MIT. These institutions have the nation’s best public research faculties and have built their reputations over many years. The competition for top talent is fierce. We cannot compete with these schools if we abandon our strengths and degrade our faculty and our standards.
Our university has been through many changes. We are not resistant to change. But what the changes are matters.
We must assure that the changes are designed to constantly improve the quality of the education we provide the next generation. Unfortunately, there is no substitute for real quality. There is no marketing hype that hides mediocrity.
A great university requires a great faculty. You cannot lobotomize the faculty. Highly paid administrators will not educate our young people. We must invest our resources wisely to achieve outstanding research and educational excellence. Our students deserve nothing less.
This is why there is concern and conflict. This is why the faculty has no confidence in President Scarborough and the board of trustees. This is why a group of corporate leaders who urge us to “let the plan succeed” cannot help. The only help can come from us.
We must reclaim our university and demand that the board of trustees stop what is happening. Students, alumni, donors and members of our community must “come together” to preserve and protect one of the most important assets we have — our University of Akron.
Bond, a retired Summit County common pleas judge, is a former trustee at the University of Akron.