The Hidden Face of the University: A Critical Examination of the Modern University System

Introduction

In his book "The Hidden Face of the University," Wladimir Kourganoff provides a scathing critique of the modern university system. He argues that universities have become increasingly corporatized and bureaucratized, and that they have lost sight of their original mission of providing a liberal education to students. Kourganoff also argues that the university system is increasingly dominated by a small number of elite institutions, which are increasingly inaccessible to students from lower-income backgrounds.

The Corporatization of the University

One of the most striking features of the modern university system is its increasing corporatization. Universities are increasingly run like businesses, with a focus on profit and efficiency. This has led to a number of changes in the way that universities operate, including:

• The increasing use of adjunct faculty, who are paid less and have fewer benefits than tenure-track faculty.
• The increasing use of online education, which is often cheaper and more convenient for students but can also be less effective.
• The increasing emphasis on research, which is often funded by corporations and government agencies.

These changes have had a number of negative consequences for students, including:

• Higher tuition costs
• Larger class sizes
• Less personal attention from faculty
• A more impersonal and bureaucratic learning environment

The Bureaucratization of the University

Another major problem with the modern university system is its increasing bureaucratization. Universities are increasingly burdened with administrative bloat, which diverts resources away from teaching and research. This has led to a number of problems, including:

• Slow and inefficient decision-making
• A lack of transparency and accountability
• A stifling of creativity and innovation
• A decline in the quality of education

The Dominance of Elite Institutions

The modern university system is also increasingly dominated by a small number of elite institutions. These institutions have the most resources, the best faculty, and the most prestigious reputations. This has led to a number of problems, including:

• The increasing cost of attending an elite university
• The increasing difficulty of getting into an elite university
• The increasing gap between elite universities and other universities

This has also led to a decline in the quality of education at non-elite universities. As more and more resources are concentrated at elite institutions, other universities are left with fewer resources and less qualified faculty. This has led to a decline in the quality of education at these institutions, which has made it more difficult for students from lower-income backgrounds to succeed in college.

Conclusion

In "The Hidden Face of the University," Wladimir Kourganoff provides a powerful critique of the modern university system. He argues that universities have become increasingly corporatized and bureaucratized, and that they have lost sight of their original mission of providing a liberal education to students. Kourganoff also argues that the university system is increasingly dominated by a small number of elite institutions, which are increasingly inaccessible to students from lower-income backgrounds.

Kourganoff's book is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the future of higher education. He provides a clear and concise analysis of the problems facing the university system, and he offers a number of suggestions for how to reform it. If you are concerned about the future of higher education, I urge you to read this book.