Can we avoid the hangover?
Issue date: 11/20/09 Section: Voices
How's that for data? (Drink.)
And what about benchmarks? (Drink.)
Speck said when he came to Southern he asked what about the international mission was benchmarked (drink), and that the concept was foreign to the University.
Well, we checked with the University's Institute of International Studies and learned that Southern sends more students abroad each year than the University of Central Missouri, Pittsburg State University and West Texas A&M (despite Dr. Brian Chapman's claims). Southern offers more foreign languages than most Universities our size. Southern is the only institution in the nation to have a themed semester program.
Students who attend this University have a great opportunity to learn about and be exposed to other cultures and people. How do you back that up with data (drink)? The problem is the numbers show the international mission is worthwhile, and is working, and it seems Speck doesn't want to hear that.
And, like asking a person to quantify love, will we now ask how much "football"or "basketball" or "cross country" is every student receiving? Are you getting enough Greek life? It can't be measured. And it shouldn't be.
Instead we should try to determine how our mission, er component, sets us apart and makes us attractive to potential students.
For now, we are left with the overused and misapplied terms of "data" (drink) and "benchmarking" (drink) and a lot of empty bottles and cups.
It seems the president is determined to drive us to drink. Problem is, everyone will suffer the
hangover.
And what about benchmarks? (Drink.)
Speck said when he came to Southern he asked what about the international mission was benchmarked (drink), and that the concept was foreign to the University.
Well, we checked with the University's Institute of International Studies and learned that Southern sends more students abroad each year than the University of Central Missouri, Pittsburg State University and West Texas A&M (despite Dr. Brian Chapman's claims). Southern offers more foreign languages than most Universities our size. Southern is the only institution in the nation to have a themed semester program.
Students who attend this University have a great opportunity to learn about and be exposed to other cultures and people. How do you back that up with data (drink)? The problem is the numbers show the international mission is worthwhile, and is working, and it seems Speck doesn't want to hear that.
And, like asking a person to quantify love, will we now ask how much "football"or "basketball" or "cross country" is every student receiving? Are you getting enough Greek life? It can't be measured. And it shouldn't be.
Instead we should try to determine how our mission, er component, sets us apart and makes us attractive to potential students.
For now, we are left with the overused and misapplied terms of "data" (drink) and "benchmarking" (drink) and a lot of empty bottles and cups.
It seems the president is determined to drive us to drink. Problem is, everyone will suffer the
hangover.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 5
Ben Hinkle
posted 11/20/09 @ 10:59 AM CST
I drove down to Fayetteville a little while ago to see Ehud Olmert speak at the University of Arkansas. It was a free event just like any of ours at Southern. (Continued…)
Jenn
posted 11/20/09 @ 12:39 PM CST
Bravo! Merci!
Great article. Good points.
Tim Fisher
Mad Man
posted 11/23/09 @ 8:51 AM CST
Well, at least 1 person reads Crossroads.
Let's start signing our names to our articles, kiddos. That's what the big boy papers do. Because they have the balls to. (Continued…)
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