09-15-2009, 12:23 PM
Morgan attacks planned online Ph.D. program
Here in a nutshell we have the fundamental battle of distance learning. A government protected special interest entity fighting against modern, innovative education.
In one corner we have the University of Maryland University College (UMUC), one of the leaders in providing distance learning throughout the world, with online programs as well as live extension courses taught at military bases overseas.
UMUC saw a market need and moved swiftly to fill it. Simple and correct business sense.
In the other corner we have Morgan State College, a "historically black university" protected from competition by the state for fear they would be driven out of existence.
Morgan State didn't trouble itself by assessing the market and found no need to develop or market innovative programs. Why bother? They have a special interest group constituency and are protected by the government from competition, new technology and progressive thought.
Time for all government and protected private interests to wake up and get in step with the modern world. Either accept true "equality" and compete on even turf in the marketplace, or give it up. If your constituency values your continued existence they will step up, and if they don't they won't. Don't force taxpayers to foot the bill for the indifference of the special interest. Don't penalize the innovators for political reasons.
Here in a nutshell we have the fundamental battle of distance learning. A government protected special interest entity fighting against modern, innovative education.
In one corner we have the University of Maryland University College (UMUC), one of the leaders in providing distance learning throughout the world, with online programs as well as live extension courses taught at military bases overseas.
Quote:But Kirwan said UMUC created its program at the request of the American Association for Community Colleges, which forecasts a growing need for administrators because of booming enrollment and the impending retirement of many current campus leaders.
UMUC, based in Adelphi, is a perfect candidate to meet the need because of its flexible course schedules and worldwide reach, the chancellor said.
UMUC saw a market need and moved swiftly to fill it. Simple and correct business sense.
In the other corner we have Morgan State College, a "historically black university" protected from competition by the state for fear they would be driven out of existence.
Morgan State didn't trouble itself by assessing the market and found no need to develop or market innovative programs. Why bother? They have a special interest group constituency and are protected by the government from competition, new technology and progressive thought.
Quote:Morgan President Earl S. Richardson has used civil rights arguments to block more than a dozen proposed programs at area colleges in his 25 years at the university, including history and education programs at Towson and an electrical engineering major at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. His effort to block the Towson/UB MBA program was unsuccessful, though the battle spread to the state legislature and local courts.
Time for all government and protected private interests to wake up and get in step with the modern world. Either accept true "equality" and compete on even turf in the marketplace, or give it up. If your constituency values your continued existence they will step up, and if they don't they won't. Don't force taxpayers to foot the bill for the indifference of the special interest. Don't penalize the innovators for political reasons.