Nick Dirks, former chancellor of UC Berkeley, discusses the multifaceted role of a university chancellor and the power dynamics within a university system. He clarifies that the chancellor acts as the university president, though there is also a system-wide president. The chancellor oversees the local university and plays a significant role in state politics, but power is shared with the faculty Senate. Dirks addresses rising higher education costs and declining state funding, which have led to increased tuition and student debt. He discusses the impact of intercollegiate athletics, highlighting the challenge of balancing academic excellence with financial pressures. The conversation touches on the monetization of sports, education costs, the value of a liberal arts education, and issues related to adjunctification and tenure. Dirks emphasizes that universities should prioritize their mission of education and intellectual growth over revenue generation. He underscores the importance of supporting public universities, creating flexible pathways for students, and addressing the challenges faced by adjunct professors. Dirks concludes by stressing the need for institutions to regain public trust and engage in meaningful public conversations.
Former UC Berkeley Chancellor Nicholas Dirks joins the podcast to discuss the cost crisis, politics, and purpose of American universities.
Guest Bio: Nicholas Dirks is a historian and former chancellor of UC Berkeley. He currently serves as President and CEO of the New York Academy of Sciences. Previously, he held senior academic positions at Columbia University and is the author of City of Intellect: The Uses and Abuses of the University.
Discussed Topics:
Top Quote:
“Tenured faculty are in an enormously privileged position... but the way you balance the budget, if they don’t get involved, is you hire more adjuncts—and then they complain about that too.”
📺Watch full episode on YouTube:👉 https://youtu.be/sonoJJaLIOg