Academic

I have had the great honor and opportunity for awhile to be on the Dean Search Committee here at UIUC.  As such, I have been a part of many conversations among the many constituencies of the law school about various, and sometimes competing, future goals.  One of the most interesting internal conversations is whether a school like Illinois should focus efforts on building a new building.  We have an average building -- not an eyesore, but not a palace either.  It has many aspects that I like, but we could use more and bigger classrooms and more office space.  So, in talking with different groups, alumni, students, prospective students and faculty, different points of view emerge as to whether a new building is (a) necessary for optimal function; (b) necessary for rankings; (c) necessary to attract students; and (d) necessary to attract faculty.  This discussion of course also includes debates over finances and fundraising priorities.

In the Chronicle of Higher Education this week is an essay by a student at the University of Virginia, Honor Jones, that details her opinion as to whether a public institution should focus resources on buildings.  I found this essay interesting given an assumption by myself and others that students like to spend their formative educational years in posh digs.  Once again, I may be wrong.