I’ve spoken over the past several posts from a perspective that still supports the ideal of education for civic engagement. What we saw at UVA was refreshing for me and gave me heart (a two-cheers kind of heart) because it seemed to display civic engagement. I was disappointed that student leaders did not support the reinstatement of President Sullivan but instead indulged in high-minded platitudes when they had a turn to speak. It may have been diffidence, as The Washington Post suggested, but I remember engaged students in the nineteen sixties. Not much of that around any more.

And speaking of resource allocation, the University of Missouri has announced an upgrade of sports facilities today that is expected to cost over $200 million. There was no debate in the board as the project was approved. Meanwhile, the university is closing the University of Missouri Press over the protests of concerned citizens, alumni, and others. According to report, “the university hopes to soon unveil a new model for the 54-year-old publishing house that will emphasize digital distribution.”

As one who has been a worker in the digital library movement, I look askance at this press closing, not because yet another source of printed books is being abandoned in favor of a digital alternative which will be said to cost less but, in all likelihood, will not cost less; or because this press has a distinguished history, if not a long one. It’s too bad. The press is part of the University of Missouri’s core mission. Universities exist to create and disseminate knowledge, not to serve as a farm system for professional sports.

Whatever possessed me to say that universities may not abandon their core mission in pursuit of institutional advancement?

—They do it all the time.