The University and Student Learning: A System in Conflict?

• Main Author: Janet Adkins
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Georgia Southern University 2017-01-01
• Series: International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
• Subjects: University Systems; Conflict; Student Learning; Analytical / Vocational Education; Business Model
• Online Access: https://digitalcommons.georgiasouthern.edu/ij-sotl/vol11/iss1/2

It would help to put gates through the fences, which…have come to be set up on most of our universities between departments (Lovejoy, 2009:16) Using Midgley’s ideas of boundary setting it is suggested here that the university sector operates within a tightly bounded economic framework. This not only restricts the capacity of universities to work to their strengths, it also inhibits creativity and uniqueness, which disconnects them from their cultural identity. Rather, these circumstances create tepid universities all doing the same thing and producing similar results. Borrowing from global cities rhetoric, they become lukewarm, uninspired conglomerations all very similar and devoid of any real distinguishing features (Richards and Wilson, 2006; Meyer et al., 1997). The consequence of which may limit outcomes for the students.