One of the biggest problems with universities is the price that comes along with them. An ideal university, in my opinion, would be one that is more affordable: no in-state tuition over $5,000 and no out-of-state tuition over $10,000-$15,000 a year. Furthermore, graduate schools shouldn't be any more than $25,000 a year (and that's being lenient). These prices are still hard to afford for some even with scholarships and financial aid available because financial aid and scholarships can only do so much. In addition to affordable tuition, my ideal university would be like its own community with enough parking and housing for all of its students. I also think that it is a good idea to house people according to their sleep habits as Professor Johnson suggested.
For all of the work that a university's students and faculty do, it is important that universities offer good food to please their stomachs! Notice that I included faculty; unlike V Yonker's "The Ideal University" blog, I believe students should not be in charge of teaching themselves as they were in the movie "Accepted." In my view, a student will not learn by himself unless someone is there to guide them. Therefore, universities need their faculty members to guide their students in the correct path and encourage them to reach their dreams like Sandra Boyle.
Though universities do need faculty members, they need to make sure that they hire people who are creative in the techniques that they use to teach so that students will be more interested in learning. I am currently enrolled in many science classes which are required for my major. While taking these courses, I often find myself wondering why I need them or how I am going to use them later in life. Faculty members need to find ways to help students realize that these subjects are important and can be utilized later. For example, physics teachers can do an experiment where one student walks a certain distance, d, in time, t, and the other student(s) have to find his velocity, v. By using these type of hands-on, visual learning techniques, teachers can show their students that what they are learning can be used later and is not just a waste. Therefore, if students see a reason to learn material, they will become more motivated to understand it.
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I agree with the affordable tuition part and the housing suggestion. I like how you think the school should be like a community to have enough housing and parking for all the students. That knocks out two problems in one. I also like how you suggest the teachers should have more hands-on activities to keep the students interested because I zone out in lecture classes more than I should. Overall, your view of the ideal university seems like a good one and some of the suggestions could actually happen.
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