As I sit at my desk waiting to hear word from the USC Board of Trustees on the vote for hiring Lt. General Robert Caslen as President of my alma mater, a lot of things are going through my head.
I think back on my days as a student at USC and reflect on how much the world has changed since then. Surely none of the controversy that has erupted during this process would have happened back in the 80’s. That’s not to say there weren’t controversies on campus. My diploma is signed by then USC President James Holderman, remember his disgraceful fall?
In the nearly 35 years since I was last an undergrad there I’ve learned quite a bit about life in the real world.Matter of fact, I worked full-time and put myself through school (tuition was only $900 per semester then), so I wouldn’t have had the time to get caught up in any sort of student uprising had it taken place back then.
It’s such a different world today. One the one hand I can applaud the students, though they are only a small number, for wanting to make their voices heard. On the other, I wonder how they will react when they join the rest of us in the real world and realize that it no longer revolves around them.
As for the faculty, you’ve got it made no matter who the President is. Most are tenured and a great many are knocking down more the $200,000 a year. Life is good. You can make bank, have a TA teach if you like and feel free to resist without fear of recrimination.
Your mission is to prepare these kids for life beyond your hallowed halls, you know, the real world.Are you really doing that?