From Jerry Kissler in Portland:
Leading universities are critical to competitiveness in today's knowledge-based economy because they attract the companies that create good jobs and provide the education necessary to get those jobs. Of course, companies do R&D but they tend to underinvest i... more
From Jerry Kissler in Portland:
Leading universities are critical to competitiveness in today's knowledge-based economy because they attract the companies that create good jobs and provide the education necessary to get those jobs. Of course, companies do R&D but they tend to underinvest in basic research. Therefore, they tend to locate near leading universities. Also, more Oregonians will want and need to have an excellent college education for the professional, managerial and technical jobs that knowledge-based industries create.
John Springer
Nothing builds the economy more than strong universities. Or oil, I guess. But for Oregon, universities. Plus they're cleaner.
Dave Porter
I tend to agree, but our public universities need to change and so does their funding. The educational component of high ed is no longer cost efficient. Online education is replacing much of what they do at less cost and more convenience. On the other hand, as you point out, research universities are important for economic development. Oregon need to shift over time to scholarship rather than institutional funding for the education component and to directly funding research more. This means letting most ... more
I tend to agree, but our public universities need to change and so does their funding. The educational component of high ed is no longer cost efficient. Online education is replacing much of what they do at less cost and more convenience. On the other hand, as you point out, research universities are important for economic development. Oregon need to shift over time to scholarship rather than institutional funding for the education component and to directly funding research more. This means letting most of the Oregon University System go private.