时代难题：我们要不要上大学?_大学英语阅读

时代难题：我们要不要上大学?

Today, college is a transaction between the student and the school. Recently, my professor asked the entire class of about 100 people whether we feel like students or customers at our university. About three people raised their hands for feeling like a customer. However, I have no doubt that many of us, including myself, were too scared to admit the truth: students are merely customers.

By no means am I invalidating college in general. College in its most natural form is a magnificent idea. It’s a place that fosters intellectual thought, deep discussions, questioning of societal ideals and norms, and more. Today, however, fierce competition, business-minded executives, and money have contaminated the very idea of college in America.

When I mention the issue of business-minded executives, I am referring to the prominent leaders and contributors of various colleges that are more concerned with business and wealth than the genuine advancement of the institution. Take the example of Mitchell Daniels, president of Purdue University . Prior to this position, Mr. Daniels was the Governor of Indiana, the CEO of the Hudson Institute, and President of the North American Pharmaceutical Operations of Eli Lilly and Company. Does this man sound like an academic to you? Should he be trusted with managing an education institution when he’s been so involved with professions in business and politics, professions that are obsessed with gaining favor and profit?