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From: bzs@bu-cs.BU.EDU (Barry Shein)
Newsgroups: soc.college
Subject: Re: Accuracy in Academia
Message-ID: <1339@bu-cs.bu-cs.BU.EDU>
Date: Thu, 18-Sep-86 17:48:43 EDT
Article-I.D.: bu-cs.1339
Posted: Thu Sep 18 17:48:43 1986
Date-Received: Sun, 28-Sep-86 00:23:06 EDT
Organization: Boston U. Comp. Sci.
Lines: 29


Actually, this whole AIA issue brings up what I consider a more
serious, more general issue. There seems to be, more and more,
a "consumer" attitude by college students towards college.

Now I suppose one could argue that college costs a lot of bucks, both
in expenses and lost salary (hopefully all more than made up for in
the long run), I suppose one could sue their church for not having
been saved after lots of donations...But what do I say to a student
who comes in to speak about a (well earned) 'F' and uses as an
argument that s/he has been "ripped off" if s/he doesn't get course
credit for their money? I know, we say "that was your fault, not
mine", but if you think reason and logic is useful in such a situation
then, well, obviously you don't deal with such situations. Worse, when
they figure out they have to pay for the course again to get credit
they accuse the professor of being in cahoots with the administration
to steal their money (and worse.) [no dear, if we could be rid of you
and your money entirely we would be very happy...]

Ok, that's an extreme example (but it has happened to me), I have
noticed a trend towards a similar method of evaluating courses, such
as judging them only on what they would be worth dollar for dollar in
landing a job later (this often comes up in an advising conversation
when trying to convince a student they should take a theory course.)

It's kind of sad. The merchandising of America marches on...too bad
they don't realize THEY are becoming the merchandise.

	-Barry Shein, Boston University