Papadakis' Golden Idea
By: Editorial Board
Issue date: 8/10/07 Section: Ed-Op
Originally published: 8/10/07 at 3:37 AM EST
Last update: 8/13/07 at 7:36 PM EST
Originally published: 8/10/07 at 3:37 AM EST
Last update: 8/13/07 at 7:36 PM EST
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The fact of the matter is though, by focusing so heavily on bolstering those numbers, University administrators are forgetting their real purpose: to educate. Sure, after four or five years we're walking out of here with a degree (except for the 20 percent of us who either dropped out or transferred), but that degree is only a piece of paper. What about getting a high quality of life on campus and a good education worth the huge sums of money we fork over and debt we incur?
Right now our campus isn't safe enough. We don't have enough full-time professors. Administrative services are a headache. Here is the complete failure on the part of the administration: rather than fix these problems in Philadelphia, Papadakis is ready to take on a new project all the way out in California.
The financial picture is there: enough donated land to sell half and build the campus infrastructure, and a whole lot of 18-year-olds who need a college degree, at least according to Papadakis. As long as Drexel's "brand" is sold right, the campus is sure to be a financial windfall.
A university is supposed to be an independent non-profit organization dedicated to education and research, not an organization that seeks to expand operations in a franchise-like manner in hopes of generating more profit. In other words: a corporation.
No matter how much President Papadakis says it, Drexel isn't a brand name, it's an institution of higher learning. Higher education isn't a "business" - like Papadakis said at his inaugural address in 1996 - it's a not-for-profit service for a community. And we're not "customers;" rather, we're students of the arts, sciences and technology.
During Papadakis' 12-year presidency, a Drexel degree has become a commodity, bought and sold (just ask Burlington Community College: "BCC partnership offers Drexel degrees for less," The Triangle, Jan. 13, 2006).
For a while that worked, because it meant this University didn't have to close its doors, but now the model is becoming exploitative of the students of this University. It's time to end Drexel's money-comes-first ideals and allow Drexel to become a real top-tier institution of higher learning.
A change in leadership is what this University might need if it really wants to focus on becoming a great institution of education. Papadakis - and his $1 million a year in salary and benefits - just aren't what Drexel needs anymore. To see an end to 'red tape' and 'The Shaft,' we need a President who understands the value of nurturing the community they serve with safety, a high quality of life, and the right mentors to get them through a difficult four or five years.
It's loud and clear that the bottom line for Papadakis is the bottom line. And that will never be good enough.
Editor's Note: Editorial board member Noah Cohen did not participate in the drafting of this editorial.
Right now our campus isn't safe enough. We don't have enough full-time professors. Administrative services are a headache. Here is the complete failure on the part of the administration: rather than fix these problems in Philadelphia, Papadakis is ready to take on a new project all the way out in California.
The financial picture is there: enough donated land to sell half and build the campus infrastructure, and a whole lot of 18-year-olds who need a college degree, at least according to Papadakis. As long as Drexel's "brand" is sold right, the campus is sure to be a financial windfall.
A university is supposed to be an independent non-profit organization dedicated to education and research, not an organization that seeks to expand operations in a franchise-like manner in hopes of generating more profit. In other words: a corporation.
No matter how much President Papadakis says it, Drexel isn't a brand name, it's an institution of higher learning. Higher education isn't a "business" - like Papadakis said at his inaugural address in 1996 - it's a not-for-profit service for a community. And we're not "customers;" rather, we're students of the arts, sciences and technology.
During Papadakis' 12-year presidency, a Drexel degree has become a commodity, bought and sold (just ask Burlington Community College: "BCC partnership offers Drexel degrees for less," The Triangle, Jan. 13, 2006).
For a while that worked, because it meant this University didn't have to close its doors, but now the model is becoming exploitative of the students of this University. It's time to end Drexel's money-comes-first ideals and allow Drexel to become a real top-tier institution of higher learning.
A change in leadership is what this University might need if it really wants to focus on becoming a great institution of education. Papadakis - and his $1 million a year in salary and benefits - just aren't what Drexel needs anymore. To see an end to 'red tape' and 'The Shaft,' we need a President who understands the value of nurturing the community they serve with safety, a high quality of life, and the right mentors to get them through a difficult four or five years.
It's loud and clear that the bottom line for Papadakis is the bottom line. And that will never be good enough.
Editor's Note: Editorial board member Noah Cohen did not participate in the drafting of this editorial.
portlandme
Michael Angelone
posted 8/10/07 @ 11:20 AM EST
I agree completely with this editorial, very well said! See my comments under the news article about
this.
Parent of recent graduate