Return-Path: sendmail 8.6.4/UCSD-2.2-sun Tue, 7 Dec 1993 14:34:55 -0800 for socgrad-list Tue, 7 Dec 1993 14:34:52 -0800 for Date: Tue, 07 Dec 1993 17:34:02 -0500 (EST) From: "Del Rounds, (803) 953-5072, 953-5066" Subject: Academic Inbreeding To: socgrad@UCSD.EDU It has finally dawned on me. The light at the end of the tunnel is a glaring supernova of realization. Yes...I now understand why "academic inbreeding" is so very dangerous. Here's the story: At an academic institution that I know (I'm not saying which one, however), many (and I do mean most) of the administration consists of alumni (alumnus--whatever). Most of the faculty, however, are not alumni. An overwhelming majority of the faculty have doctorates, while much of the administration do not. (Maybe this is the real problem.) Anyway, there are many problems with the administrators thinking alike (i.e., group think). There is very little understanding of what makes a college a college. There are entirely too many "good ole boys" running this particular institution. My comments above are not meant entirely in a negative light on this particular institution. However, I'd bet a bunch of money that there are many colleges and universities that could fit into this category. I would guess that private colleges and religious institutions would most likely fit into this category. I could be quite wrong on this though. After reading everyone's messages these past couple of days in regard to hiring one's own graduates, I've started to realize that this should be avoided--especially if they move into administration. Geez...and I've always wanted to go back home. Del.