Chapter Overview
The question I wish to address here is shared by every president of a small liberal arts college (and probably by their governing boards and faculties too):
How do we perpetuate what is distinctly ours in a world that cares less and less about making thoughtful distinctions?
As we face increasing pressure to reshape our campus communities and retool for a new age consumed with a singular focus on fitting ourselves into a global economic enterprise, how do we choose the path that is right for each of our schools?
Threatened by the Scylla of institutional atrophy and antiquarian tendency on the one side, and the charybdis of consumerism on the other, we must keep alive to our purposes, promoting liberal learning in the ever-precarious present. On the one hand, we risk losing all desire to challenge the world, which is the spark to learning. On the other, we risk fueling the desire to sell only what is wanted at the expense of what is needed by the students who come to us for help in shaping their education. Our very virtues and strong foundation stories can lead to defensiveness and stagnation. Yet, if we keep ourselves too open to the intellectual fancies of our age, we may lose our identity.
In his chapter Dr. Nelson offers a few suggestions to avoid our crashing upon those rocky shoals - suggestions intended to help liberal arts colleges maintain their place of distinction in the world of higher education.
The essential issue he addresses is how colleges should organize best for the freedom they wish to encourage in others. The flexible approach he advocates calls for simplifying ways and simplicity is more likely to come from an attitude that encourages freedom than one that is so rigid that a rule is required for every action.
As we enter the summer months, we are confident you will find Dr. Nelson's chapter a thought provoking read. Enjoy his chapter
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