University has turned into kindergarten

I was doing some work in a lab (at a University) on another floor and overheard a conversation that made me laugh out loud. One of the student's mother had called the professor to ask if her child could be accepted in a course or something like that. Apparently the student didn't fulfil all requirements but i'll bet the mother told them all about how good and well behaved etc her child is.

A mother calling a professor on behalf of a student.

Whatever happened to becoming a independent thinker and philosopher at the university?

 

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it's known as "mothering" but in this poor boys case it's called smothering

 

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University has turned into kindergarten
Haven't they always been?

Yaba Daba! :m:

 

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What state is this in?

 

In a state of calamity...

 

Depends on what university you go to. They all have different standards of admission. Some will admit anyone (kindergarteners): others only the academically best and most likely to succeed in life. Sciforum is supposed to be the intellectual community but, as a case in point, there's a lot of kindergartener's that frequent the posts.

 

florida

 

Well there's the problem....

 

That's too easy.

I have also noticed a similar trend in europe that universities are being dumbed down. That's usually because the more students you have the more money you receive from the government. In order not to lose students and attract more of them exams and classes have been dumbed down.

I heard similar stories here.

Anyone hear anything different? Does anyone think that the level of universities went up? Or stayed the same?

 

It's going down, steadily.

 

I'm curious now, which University? There's really only a couple here so chances are I'd know it.

-AntonK

 

haha, that's hilarious. At my university, my profs would probably tell my mom off for calling them and wasting their time. The only time I have had my parents call the university is when I was in the hospital on Morphine. I couldn't call out because it was technically a long-distance call. I think that is different though.

 

The one with the alligator.

 

Ahh, out in the swamp

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-AntonK

 

Well, I am still hanging around at University here in Germany...thought it might be interesting and challenging compared to our schools (which should be know as being notoriously bad since the PISA-tests), but no, that is not the case. Of course, I cannot know how difficult it was years ago, but right now, it is ridiculous. Getting through there is about as much work as switching on and watching TV. Am I glad that it is nearly for free, 130 € half a year is not that much money after all.

 

Haha. One time (at 14) I phoned a math professor to ask him a skill testing question for a contest I had won. Couldn't tell if he was amused/indignant.. which is probably how this guy felt.

In this case, the guy could have bypassed the requirement if he had spoken to the dean, by himself and made a strong case based on facts.

 

Now that you have recognised the problem, you are more than half way to the solution. I am sure you will make it.

 

Universities are like training centers for an imperfect system.
How about training people to think in different ways so that they can improve the system?

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Yaba Daba! :m:

 

One TA that I work with is from Florida State. She openly admits "I am gross" when we're dissecting. I agree that she is, but I am not.

 

Well, that explains it.