Leaders, faculty, and students at one of the nation’s leading learning and research institutions say higher education is still worth it—if the university can clarify and renew its purpose.
To address concerns about rapid technological change, the erosion of public trust in higher education, and tense relationships between universities and the federal government, Cornell University leaders gathered opinions and insights from more than 6,000 people in its academic community based in Ithaca, New York, over the past 12 months.
The 238-page report and a vision statement were released on Sept. 22.
Cornell’s report follows similar initiatives from fellow Ivy League institution Yale and Vanderbilt University in Tennessee, both of which raised concerns about the dilution of academic standards. …