Practices and procedures that seemed to make sense in an earlier time, now seem anachronistic at best, and fundamental impediments to growth at worst. Amacher and Meiners bring novel reflections to many of the most classic and widely recognized issues and topics facing American universities, including faculty tenure and “dead wood,” instruction of undergraduates by graduate assistants instead of faculty, tuition increases, outdated courses and majors, board of trustee oversight and administrative leadership, and (for public universities) system-wide governance, to name a few.

Are universities ideally situated to compete, thrive, even to lead, in the information age or have their accumulated traditions, habits, expectations, and extant incentives relegated them to a relatively diminished status and level of contribution to society? The answer is unclear, because there is compelling evidence on both sides.