Haley Scholars Fall 2012 Reading Groups
By Chandra Alford
In the beginning pages (1 - 19) of Academically Adrift, the authors are attempting to define why so many undergraduates attend college with the ambition to achieve their lofty dreams without seriously considering what is truly expected of them. Institutional changes based on financial gain accompanied with jaded faculty members seems to be in part the blame for this problem.
Arum and Roksa argue, “While some of these additional noninstructional obligations are mandated by the institutions that employ faculty--as in the university and department committee meetings that professors often complain about--many of these additional activities likely advance faculty careers, but are largely unrelated or only indirectly related to undergraduate instruction (8).” The authors argue further that the devaluing of undergraduate education is caused by the lack of time devoted by faculty to their instructional duties. It is important to note that the authors stated this type of behavior usually occurs more at research institutions rather than at public and state universities.
Based on what you read in Academically Adrift so far, what do you think deserves more of our attention--low academic standards set by faculty, institutions putting financial interests before learning interests and intellectual development, or the aimless pursuits of students who choose to be consumers rather than contributors? Why?