Open letter to the president from Andrew Jackson U's president

I'm posting this in the DL forum since it does directly relate to DL.

http://www.webwire.com/ViewPressRel.asp?aId=83918

 

Thanks for posting this. While I agree with the premise of Mr. Kassner's thesis, my cynical side wonders if a letter to the President will be taken seriously with a typographical error.

 

hahaha - i see it too

 

Where's the typo?

It's not: The presidents’ solution as evidenced in this report is “give us more money.” since presidents here refers to "presidents, chancellors and trustees" two sentences earlier.

Clue me in.

 

No, that was not it. Someone reads this board that also updates that page.

Modified: Sunday, February 01, 2009 12:55:49 PM

 

I think it is a very interesting article, even with the typo. I am often amazed that the politicians who so aggresively promote public education, are often the ones who choose to send their own children elsewhere. I would be willing to bet that we spend more today on education than at any other time in our history, and yet more money does not necessarily lead to more successful students. I agree that more creative solutions need to be found.

 

So the typos are the few missing periods?

 

"As I look around this great country of ours at all the best universities I notice something. A majority of the best universities are private.

"As I look around this country of ours at all the best high schools I notice something. A majority of the best high schools are private – and many are charter schools.

"As I look around this county or ours at all the best elementary and middle schools I notice something. A majority of the best elementary and middle schools are private – and many are charter schools ..."

See first sentence of third paragraph above: "or" is used instead of "of."

 

Type-o aside, this guy doesn't write like a college president. Our CC has had 4 presidents over the past 20 years, and they all write the same way. They all have an air of authority and focus that is unemotional and driven- slightly detached and global in perspective. Vision, vision, vision. This guy writes like a young person in his first management job.

 

Yep, that is the one I noticed.

 

I believe that Don Kassner is fairly young as is the business model of AJU's sponsored tuition program, so I'll cut him some slack. If AJU succeeds with it, I'm sure that the tenor of Don's from-the-hilltop message will ascend higher up the mountain.

 

Wouldn't you expect different leadership styles in a young, private, highly growth-oriented, national-market, nationally-accredited, for-profit school, and a public community college? And "for-profit" and "nationally-accredited" are relatively small points in the first set; you could also expect the first sort of style from an evangelist building a Christian college.

 

Good points as usual Jonathan. I agree.

Abner

 

The President of Bellevue University (a school that I'm considering for my BS) has a very relaxed, almost Grandfather-like tone to his communication in the Bellevue newsletter. This is a nice change from the usual rhetoric.

BTW, Bellevue now offers a 12 month accelerated Bachelors degree completion program. Previously, it was 15 months. Not a bad deal. I'm looking at their BS in Behavioral Science. I wish they offered an online BS in Psychology, but I guess that would be asking for too much!

 

I don't know who it is. If I did, I would make a few other recommendations as well.

 

Meh.

I used to be very impressed with myself and thought I was somehow different and/or better than most other people. Then I got old and realized what an ass I was. My only remaining condescending vice is taking joy from watching this same awakening in others.

 

Humbly put and true. It's too bad that our awakening takes so long -- and many never awaken at all.

 

This same sentiment could be applied to those who pick apart typos and misspellings in the written communications of others, particularly online. It never ceases to amaze me how some people can't think of a witty retort to the substance of what is being said, and instead resort to assuming the role of spelling and grammar police.

 

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LOL l love this- I read it to my husband. I always find your comments witty and graceful