Page 150 - Crisis in Higher Education

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Changing Attitudes and

Expectations of Students, Parents,

Family Members, and Friends

At public universities, students, parents, other family members, and
friends pay about 70% of the cost of a four-year degree, and they have the
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right to seek, even demand, something of commensurate value for their
investment. For too long, many people have subscribed to the notion of
the “infallible and benevolent university,” an institution that puts the
needs of others first and does what is best for students, third-party pay-
ers, potential employers, and humankind. Although universities may be
more committed to do “the right thing” than other entities that sell goods
and services, they tend to do what is best for the institutions and their
employees. Universities pay market wages, seek long-term survival, and
emphasize activities such as outreach and engagement that have limited
direct benefit to students. Students and their support groups must change
the way they think about universities, how they interact, and what they
should expect.
Attitude is a way of thinking about something that is ultimately reflected
in a person’s behavior. When students and their support group believe that
universities are looking out for their best interests, they do not hold uni-
versities responsible for high costs, restricted access, and other problems.
When pushback is muted, the changes required to address the underly-
ing problems are deflected and replaced with claims that state funding is
insufficient and declining or that tenured faculty are resisting change and
straining university budgets. It is imperative that students and their sup-
port group treat decisions to pursue a university degree like purchasing new
cars, homes, or other products. They must seek the best value and outcome.
After all, investing in a university degree is the biggest and most important

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