Comments on: The Four-Year College Myth

By: Mike Offerman

Mike Offerman — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 16:54:06 +0000

Doug, thanks for taking time to comment and to share your experience and that of your freshman year roommate.

Mike

By: Doug

Doug — Tue, 21 Jul 2009 14:55:48 +0000

I graduated from high school, immediately enrolled in a private, four year college. The graduation rate of our entering class was 85%. The 15% who “couldn’t” make it and dropped out/failed to meet standards, requirements, etc, were labeled “not up to par”, “couldn’t hack it”, or worse. Heckling even occured.
Yet, a large percentage of the group completed their degrees 1-3 years later, one of whom was my freshman year roommate. I know the “teasing” he experienced had a devasting impact on him. Whild he was one of the group who finished, his sense of failure (and many of the others’) that “we” and the College communicated to them still lingers with them today, over 30 years later.
As Swidey reported in his article, the traditional path is no longer traditional. I would only add that many of the students who “swirl” or “fluid” are also affected by taking the non-tradtional (now traditional) path to graduation. there is still the connotation that somehow, because they are taking longer, are transfer students, etc, they are less capable. Some believe that they also negatively affect the academic rigor and reputation of the college.
Policy makers, political leaders, media, educational leaders, etc need to further strengthen the message that it is okay to take more than four years to complete the degree. To do this, insititutions and faculty need to be more flexible, supportive, and caring to bring out the best in students.
What I believe should make graduates, parents/guardians, families, friends, and other important persons in the lives of graduates most proud, is not just the honor and recognition of achieving a degree. As Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “The reward of a thing well done is to have done it.”

By: Mike Offerman

Mike Offerman — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:11:27 +0000

Jonathon, thanks for taking time to comment.

Mike

By: Johnathan

Johnathan — Mon, 06 Jul 2009 19:53:59 +0000

I agree with the viewpoints presented here. The usage of terms such as “four-year” degree can place undue pressure on students to complete the work in an already stressful situation. This might lead to the person just achieving a degree and not actually learning anything in the process, which it a huge disservice to all. As a long-term student (It took me 6 years to earn my B.S.), I feel that the entire experience was satisfying and not something to be rushed. As stated here, there are times when it is just not feasible to take on a full course load due to work, family, etc. It takes great courage to want something better for yourself, but even greater courage to be able to be patience and allow things to naturally progress, as they should. Obtaining a degree from any college is still a great accomplishment whether it take 4 or 40 years to do it. Some adages still ring true these days: It is not the destination; it is the journey.

By: Mike Offerman

Mike Offerman — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 20:20:21 +0000

Thanks for your comment, Jerry.

Mike

By: Jerry Morris

Jerry Morris — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:01:14 +0000

Mike,

Very good analysis of the article.I agree with the statement that public policy is outdated and inaccurate. There needs to be change in the way everyone views “higher education”. I still agree with the terms “2-year” and “4-year” colleges though beacause they allow parents and students something to strive for. Typically, the parents want their son/daughter to do better than them. If the parents have no college education, then of course, a 2 or 4-year degree is considered “better”. My daughter is attending a Cal State school and most of her classmates are over 30. This tells me that traditional colleges need to re-think their strategy or else they’ll be doing a disservice to the community. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this topic.

Jerry