bclintonk

^ But you'll notice, goldenboy, that schools like UC Berkeley, Michigan, and UCLA have students that are comparable to UVA'S, and faculties that are much better.

bclintonk

^^ Oh, and one other thing, goldenboy. You'll notice that almost all private universities ranked ahead of UVA have higher-regarded faculties as well. Here, for example, are the Philosophical Gourmet rankings of private universities' philosophy departments:

1. NYU
3. Princeton
5. Harvard
7. MIT, Yale
9. Stanford
11. Columbia, USC
14. Cornell
18. Notre Dame
19. Brown
20. Chicago
24. Duke
29. Penn
31. Northwestern, U Miami, WUSTL
36. Georgetown
37. Johns Hopkins, Syracuse (same as UVA)

Granted, this is just one discipline, but careful study would reveal a similar pattern in field after field, with somewhat different players at or near the top, but a handful of great universities, public and private, consistently up there, and UVA lagging.

The point is, a great university has not only great students but also a great faculty. HYPS are HYPS not only because they attract top students; they attract top students in large measure because of their outstanding faculties. Teresa Sullivan blew the whistle on the fact that UVA has been attracting quality students out of proportion to the quality of its faculty, and that its faculty needs a serious makeover if the university is to be as good as its reputation among the uninitiated, i.e., among HS seniors applying to college. I don't think the BoV wanted to hear that somewhat old-fashioned message. They wanted someone to run the university like a swashbuckling CEO, slashing costs and dumping academic disciplines left and right, transitioning abruptly into the online university so they could compete, I suppose, with the University of Phoenix which presently dominates that market.

Well, we'll see what's left of UVA if they get their way.

sevmom

I believe goldenboy is a Duke alumnus. Not sure what affiliation,if any, he has with UVa? bclintonk, I get it that you (as an academic I believe) don't think that UVa's faculty is up to par. For you to go on and on about this though is quite interesting. But I don't consult the Philosophical Gourmet so I don't have all the facts.

beyphy

He's just a slave to USNEWS.

annasdad

And, of course, all these faculty rankings are based on their passion and skills for teaching undergraduates - right?

Or NOT!!!

jc40

Huh? Who the heck cares about the rankings of philosophy departments? Do you realize how absurd this sounds because we all know the vast majority of high school seniors kids across the nation are chomping at the bit to major in philosophy (cough, cough). I'm not trying to diminish the study of philosophy in any way -- it has it's place at every school of higher learning. However, to suggest that departments across the board should be measured based upon a department that holds such a proportionally small number of degree candidates seems strange. Funny how you neglect to compare more prominent disciplines like business. Hmm...?

rjkofnovi

^^^You were the one who claimed UVA was the number two public. You, like goldenboy, are slaves to USNWR rankings. The comments of bclintonk are similar to your ex president. You just don't want to accept facts.

"Do you realize how absurd this sounds because we all know the vast majority of high school seniors kids across the nation are chomping at the bit to major in philosophy (cough, cough)."

You need to check out the UVA's standings in engineering and other STEM programs. It isn't befitting of a number two public school program....(cough, cough)

GoBlue81

Degrees conferred at UVa:

Business: 7.5%
STEM: 20%
Social Sciences: 22.5%
Psychology: 8%
Philosophy: 3.3%

rjkofnovi

http://www2.dailyprogress.com/news/2...nt-ar-1997570/

"The BOV is looking for decisive and bold action, and we should continue to give them what they want,” he said."

UVA better be prepared for some decisive and bold actions from it's faculty. I have a feeling many are going to want out. What a stupid statement for anyone to make at a time like this. It makes it sound like the interim president, who was the dean of the undergraduate B school, is afraid of the BOV.

jc40

No, rjkofnovi, I believe you have that the other way around. Your modus operandi is fairly transparent to me and everyone else on CC -- it's killing you that UVA has always been ranked ahead of your precious Michigan in USNWR and you are seizing this opportunity to try, rather unsuccessfully I might add, to cast doubt on one of Mr. Jefferson's three proudest accomplishments. Calling a spade a spade here.

rjkofnovi

Check post #48 jc40.

"it's killing you that UVA has always been ranked ahead of your precious Michigan in USNWR ..."

I feel that UVA is a great public school. One of the best. However, it's not better than Michigan or UCLA. That is my personal opinion. You are entitled to yours.

barrons

The only place in the world UVa is ranked highly is on US News. Sullivan also called a spade a spade.

bluebayou

They may "want" out, but in reality, they have no where to go (but down) if the faculty want to move. Sure, a few superstars (if they have any) can pick up a tenured position at a 'peer' school, but the masses won't have much choice but stay, or take a position at a much less prestigious Uni.

It's not exactly a seller's market for tenure track positions, and the quality of life in Charlottesville can be hard to beat.

rjkofnovi

"Sure, a few superstars (if they have any) can pick up a tenured position at a 'peer' school, but the masses won't have much choice but stay, or take a position at a much less prestigious Uni."

You're probably right bluebayou.

Sparkeye7

Nah, I disagreed. Here is a sample of tOSU's current departmental reputation:

From my last year's post:
(I doubt this year's ranking would be much different);
UVA is known for Social Sciences, no?

USNWR - Best Social Sciences and Humanities Schools 2012

(Sociology)
Ohio State #17 tied with Cornell, ahead of Yale #20.

(Psychology)
Ohio State #17 tied with Columbia, Cornell and Northwestern.

(Political Science)
Ohio State #17 ahead of Cornell, Northwestern and UVA.

(History)
Ohio State #24 ahead of Vanderbilt, Emory, MIT, Rice..,etc.

(English)
Ohio State #25 ahead of Vanderbilt, WUSTL, CMU, Rice, Brandeis..,etc.

(Economics)
Ohio State #28 tied with UVA and WUSTL, ahead of Georgetown, Emory, Rice, ND..,etc.

(College of Art - Fine Art)

Ohio State #18 ahead of NYU, Michigan, Berkeley, Stanford.., etc.

Source: Best Social Science & Humanities Programs | Top Social Science & Humanities Schools | US News Best Graduate Schools

Source: Top Fine Arts Schools | Best Fine Arts Programs | US News

And most of tOSU's departments will be ranked around the Top-10 by 2020 as part of its $10+ billion academic strategic plan to become one of the best public universities in the country under the leadership of President Gordon Gee.

P.S. That 300+ million budget to hire additional 300 top faculties by 2020 is set to be doubled if the $half-billion parking leasing plan is adopted this Friday by the school. Each new faculty will be given numerous perks besides the obvious competitive salary, new office space, research grants, graduate assistant grants, ..etc. to move to Ohio State. So, stay-tuned!