Comments on Communication and Cognition: Comparing California, Texas Higher Ed

Sarah -- Thanks for the comment. The original post...

2008-06-24T22:11:00.000-05:00

Sarah -- Thanks for the comment. The original post had more of an acerbic tone than I had intended.

There are many comparisons that favor Texas. I find this one interesting, and I regret that a throwaway line suggested I knew the answer.

Comparing the relative institutions is a somewhat unfair comparison as the way that the states define flagship institutions is entirely different.

In California, the entire UC system is designated as flagship. Conversely, in Texas, only UT and A&M are typically considered flagship institutions. Only those two schools, by my understanding, receive money from the controversial Permanent University Fund.

So "flagship" students are spread across just two schools in Texas versus several in California. Given that, enrollment at the top two should differ.

Thus, you are absolutely right. Conclusions cannot be drawn, and more data are necessary. I simply posit to you that the question has merit.

While in California this past weekend I read that ...

2008-06-24T19:48:00.000-05:00

While in California this past weekend I read that part of California's ever present, ever looming, and seemingly never ending budget problems include tens of billions of dollars worth of unfunded entitlements, many of which are to be found in guaranteed retirement benefits.

So what I take from this set of data is NOT that C...

2008-06-24T15:29:00.000-05:00

So what I take from this set of data is NOT that California professors are indeed more happy or productive, but rather that TEXANS produce 25,000 MORE students from their top programs than do the Californians with all their self-indulgent comfort! The data clearly show NOT that California is more productive, but that by student response, our top programs are far more productive than California's. Since when do we ignore, as this writer did, the numbers of students voting with their feet, and their noses in study? So: congratulations, and Go Texas, ... I can say, as a translanted New Yorker. And how d o the other states fare? Didn't anyone else notice that Texas had far more students reported in the Wikipedia data (presuming it's accurate) than California? Not that popularity alone is the test, but quality can draw, even if states where housing isn't off the charts in price. Without other parameters, I do not think we can draw the conclusions this writer draws. People are not only happy because of salaries and whether their program is the "top rated" by some arbitrary parameters, but rather when their quality of life and community (of scholars and in general) is productive, rewarding, deep and connected.