Discussion Forum (Summary then questions)

John D. Burton’s (Weschler et al., 2007) in-depth, descriptive account of campus life almost seems like de’ja-vu. Student riots and protesting the controls impacted colleges of that period. In the thirteenth century a tavern student riot provoked the townsfolk to murder and ended with the King of France imprisoning the provost (Weschler et. al., 2007 p. 9). Students challenged the status quo then as they do now.

Initially Students were protected by the school, and were required to abide by school behavioral guidelines. One differences seen in colonial colleges vs English colleges was that colonial colleges could only discipline at the will of the student, while their English counterparts had the judicial authority to control and discipline students (Weschler et al., 2007, P. 126). When students began to engage in behaviors that were viewed immoral such as public disturbances,drinking, engaging prostitutes, gambling, etc. institutions took a stronger stance and began working directly with the magistrates (Weschler et al., 2007, P. 130).

In the late 1700’s there was much turmoil on college campuses in the Americas. The unrest between the North and the South was beginning, and colleges were being impacted by these changes . The push to build colleges had increased the stock in physical structures, but the lack of students to fill them was also a problem. (Rudolph, 1990, P. 46). The civil war of course did not help, and families no longer wanted their children to leave home to attend school (Rudolph, 1990, P. 52). Battles between denominations also resulted. From this struggle emerged the self-made man, one who had had little formal education, but one who was gifted in becoming a foundational part of society. From this group came Benjamin Franklin, and from them new fields of study began to grow.
Question #1

Please discuss some of the reasons that colleges had to regulate or structure the college campus environment. Do you believe that colleges continue to face similar challenges today, why or why not?

Question #2

If given the opportunity to tutor in a colonial college, in which way would you engage your students in the learning process and what approach would you use to encourage student to follow the protocols of the institution?

Question #3

American colleges were challenged by the initial establishment of early universities using the European model. According to the textbook, President Phillip Lindsey of the University of Nashville questioned whether American people could sustain an institution comparable to the English universities… monolithic institutions of great wealth and influence (Rudolph, 1990 P. 49). Do you believe that statements like these changed the way in which universities were later established? Please explain why?

References

Rudolph, F. (1990). The American college and university. Athens, GA: The University of Georgia Press.

Weschler, H. S., Goodchild, L. F., & Eisenmann, L. (Eds.) (2007). The history of higher education (3rd ed.). Boston: Pearson Custom Publishing.