Balderston 2

Chapter 2: Values of the University

The values of the university have a direct impact on the mission and purpose of the university. Arguably, many values are shared across institutions, but there may be differences between institutions that affect teaching and working styles throughout university departments.

I was a bit angered by Balderston's discussion of "political correctness." He says that in an effort to be politically correct, departments may "tip the scales to favor appointment of minorities and women regardless of whether they are well-qualified or best-qualified" (p. 36). Perhaps I am disappointed that this might be true. Still, the decision to employ underrepresented populations should not be a ploy to be politically correct, but to promote social justice. This relates to specialized topics which may require lecturers or mentors in the specialized field from underrepresented populations. Often, these topics are glossed over as unimportant or lacking general interest, as "faddish contemporary material" (p. 41). These departments may gain funding for that term, but not enough to keep it going for the long run, and create lasting change.

This chapter also brought up concerns about the double nature of the university. The collegiate atmosphere is one of exploration and questioning of the status quo. At the same time, in order to keep the college running, administrators and faculty must adhere to a sense of organization that may seem conservative. At times, research may debunk existing theories or criticize current politics. The university is a collection of like minded people with dramatically different points of view. Tolerance should be a prerequisite of all higher learning, lest the university turn into a "collection of buildings and paper and meaningless routines" (p. 53).