State budget offices across the country have higher-ed institutions in their cross-hairs. Wisconsin has made major, front-page headlines, but it’s happening in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and New York as well. Indeed, budget deficits are forcing states to cut funds everywhere, and academia is certainly not safe. But, should it be? Corporate America goes through massive shake-ups every decade or so. They do this because the world changes and they have to adapt to survive. Through this Darwinian process, the strong survive – and come out stronger because of it.
What does it all mean for academia? It means a major shake up. But maybe that’s not a bad thing. The walls that exist around academia are crumbling. That’s scary, sure, for some, because it means they now have to deal with so many more factors and outside influences than they ever had to before. But it also means there is more interaction with the outside world than ever before! And that’s where the opportunities are!

Think about it: academia is an extremely protected/protective, insular community. That culture exists because higher education is unique in its mission to educate our next generation of minds. And that is a good thing when it fosters a safe, tight-knit community where scholars and researchers can work to bring new ideas to our society.

However, that culture is counterproductive when it keeps out ideas and factors from the real world. The latest round of budget cuts are just a reminder, albeit a harsh reminder, that the world is changing and academia isn’t immune to change.

Having a brochure about how your faculty bring “real world experience to the classroom” isn’t enough. It’s time for academia to stop talking about the real world and start living in it.