The long-term consequences are grave. If university leaders cannot speak for and defend academics because they are overwhelmed by the economic realities of running a hospital, and if the university’s research arm and scholarly community are quieted or ignored by its industrial arm, we get bad public policy, demoralized scholars and unhealthy learning environments for all. Worse, failing to preserve the integrity of academic inquiry — the curiosity, scientific rigor and intellectual freedom that made American universities the envy of the world — degenerates what fuels our economy and inspires our imagination.
This past month and this past year have made us crave forceful leadership in higher education, but recovering what we’re losing will require more than just new appointees.