Should universities take a position on hot button issues?

[Hibush]

The question was apparently top of mind in the selection of Stanford's new president.

Jonathan Levin has quite the credentials...BA Stanford, MA Oxford, PhD MIT, second generation University president (son of Yale President Richard Levin), previous chair of Stanford Economics Dept.

He has been sayin that universities should "get out of the business of making statements on current events." Instead, he said, "we should focus on encouraging students to listen to different perspectives and engage in dialogue and form their own opinions."

That approach seems like one that Stanford students could benefit from. Protesting the Stanford administration has been a vigorous student activity since at least hte 60s. It won't stop now. Nevertheless, the administration can tell them something along the lines "That is an important issue. We are glad to see you engaged. You can learn a lot about affecting it here at Stanford."

[Ruralguy]

He's right. I hope he sticks to this.

[dismalist]

One of Levin's specialties is "Mechanism Design". Determine what it is you want, then create a list of incentives that lead actors to that outcome.

Difficulty in most of life is that there are too many damned actors that get in the way. Nevertheless, if anybody can pull off lowering the bullshit level, he can.

[marshwiggle]

One of Levin's specialties is "Mechanism Design". Determine what it is you want, then create a list of incentives that lead actors to that outcome.

Difficulty in most of life is that there are too many damned actors that get in the way. Nevertheless, if anybody can pull off lowering the bullshit level, he can.

Probably his biggest pushback will be from "activist" faculty.

[treeoflife]

He has made significant headway already with the support of prominent faculty members.