Business model applies to higher education

To the editor:

Nowadays it is common to find the business model applied in higher education. In this model, the student is identified as the consumer i.e. the customer. You have certainly heard the saying, 'the customer is always right.” A result of the business model is that the consumer (formerly the student) is much more likely to get what they want instead of what they need. When this occurs academic standards will likely be lowered and the preparedness of the graduate for entry into the workplace will suffer. College majors that offer the greatest potential for future financial reward will be favored, while educational opportunities in majors such as art, music, literature, etc. will become increasingly limited.

The product of higher education is an educated citizenry, but the ability to judge the quality of this product is fraught with difficulties. In business and industry a product is either in demand or it isn't. It either works or it doesn't. It is either reasonably priced or it is not. Judgment as to the quality of an education is much more subjective. Do we value those who are financially astute, or the creative geniuses, or the gifted educators, or the insightful authors or would we choose differently? Clearly, the question of the value of education cannot be judged by the same criteria as is used in the valuation of a product of business or industry.

Robert J. Boes

Ely