The Crisis of Money and Identity: A discussion with three university presidents

Abstract

America's institutions of higher learning, both public and private, have entered a period of profound fiscal stringencies, and the relationship between the two, as well as the character of each, may be drastically altered in the process. To discuss these portentuous changes–how they are developing and which way they might lead–George W. Bonham, editor-in-chief of Change, recently sat down with three heads of institutions very much affected by the money and identity crisis. They are Paul R. Anderson, president of Temple University, which recently changed from a private institution to a “state-related” one; Ernest L. Boyer of the State University of New York, the nation's largest state system of higher education; and William J. McGill of Columbia University, a prestigious private university with serious financial problems. Their discussion follows; Fred M. Hechinger of the New York Times editorial board adds his commentary on the historic roots of the crisis and the issues that must be publicly confronted i...