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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Home News Latest Stories Emergency services, April 18 Medford police seek new rules to stop sales of stolen goods Struggling to stay on track Central Point considers new fees for parks, school police People in Business Crime, Courts and Emergency Services Emergency services, April 18 Jurors see shocking conditions of accused serial killer's farm Emergency services Argument over stolen guns led to first shooting, Monica says Monica takes rare opportunity to cross-examine a witness in her double-murder trial Politics and Elections Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Kent Bush: Clinton 2.0 is neither new nor improved Arthur I. Cyr: Britain’s earthquake election Former state Senate President Brady Adams dies Education Official hopeful whooping cough case at John Muir contained Crater dropout says graduating high school would've saved him time and money New Medford middle school would offer Montessori approach Mae Richardson Elementary turns 50 Prepping before 9th grade Environment Jackson County's wildlife services agent seen as both killer and savior Biomass technology: Creating products out of former waste Sugar Pine Mine co-owner: "Please stop calling the BLM and threatening their personnel" Oath Keepers say they'll defend contested mining claim on BLM land Central Point's Arbor Day project will provide shade along Mingus Creek State News Governor Brown says Oregon 'back on track' in State of the State address Ex-Daimler Portland engineer files $2 million discrimination suit Mannix-backed measure targets taxes Oregon committee hears bill preventing child access to guns Water shortage hits riverfront city Nation - World Tsarnaev convicted on all charges in Boston Marathon bombing Obituaries Gloria Ruth Pelett Allsup Tobi Andrews (Sherri M. Wagler) Cynthia Rose Spies Robert Lynn Jolliffe Charles Henry Herman “Hank” Weather Photo Galleries Since You Asked Videos Web Cams Mail Tribune 100 Shareable Sports Latest Stories North’s Wolfe eclipses own school record at Relays Raiders drop two pitching duels at EOU Manziel issues apology to Browns, fans Phelps fails to qualify for 400 freestyle Ticket mystery surrounds mega fight Varsity 541 College Sports Raiders drop two pitching duels at EOU Beavers ring in new era with spring game Comfort Zone SOU to host meet for first time in five years Oregon recruits leave their options open Pro Sports Manziel issues apology to Browns, fans Ticket mystery surrounds mega fight Merritt sets record, but Spieth surges Foreman turned life around as teen in GP James-led Cavs chase crown Community Sports Wilson delivers in return of local boxing Palmer breezes to second straight men’s title Business Latest Stories People in Business Blog: Spring Cleaning: Revisited Since You Asked: Metro Medford rebranding proved economical Zombies join in the horror produced by local game companies Biomass technology: Creating products out of former waste Real Estate News Since You Asked: Metro Medford rebranding proved economical Jackson County median home price hits $215,000 in first quarter People In Business People in Business, March 26, 2015 Transportation Business briefs Medford airport's record run continues Gov. Brown touts need for transportation funding in talk to Medford chamber Erickson shores up business with three contracts Lithia Motors shares break the $100 mark Agriculture New bosses take charge at Harry & David Dancin Vineyards covers up Broth maker leaves San Diego for Medford Opinion Latest The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history Other Views: State Board of Education dragging its feet over Native American mascots Matthew T. Mangino: Mass incarceration enters the national consciousness Our View: Impeachment should be an option Editorials Other Views: State Board of Education dragging its feet over Native American mascots Our View: Impeachment should be an option Our View: Gun background check bill is worth passing Our View: Don't expect a fix for I-5 viaduct through Medford anytime soon Our View: Minimum wage boost is no panacea Letters to the Editor Letters to the Editor, April 17 Letters to the Editor, April 16 Letters to the Editor, April 15 Letters to the Editor, April 14 Letters to the Editor, April 13 Columns The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history Matthew T. Mangino: Mass incarceration enters the national consciousness Michael Gerson: Obama is desperately seeking a legacy Arthur I. Cyr: Cuba’s enduring challenge to American foreign policy – and American politics Guest Opinions The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history Guest Opinion: Removing barriers to walking, biking benefits everyone Guest Opinion: Conversion therapy on LGBT youth is child abuse Guest Opinion: Pot opponents have good reason for concern Lifestyle Latest stories Official hopeful whooping cough case at John Muir contained 6 trout to know App Finder: Best Earth Day apps Health Watch: How to avoid the dreaded weight-loss plateau Fishing Report: Friday, April 17 Food Tammy Kelly: Soft-shell crab is in season Community blog: Orange-blossom water enhances honey syrup High on flavor, low on calories: Cookbook offers tasty options for people trying to eat healthier Prudence Hilburn: Test-kitchen products become ‘secret’ specialties Community blog: Leave fruits whole for crumbles in a time crunch Home and Garden Carol Link: Tea olive shrubs can be propagated from new growth 12 ways ceiling fans keep you comfortable and save cash Dear Monty: Profiting with adaptive re-use Paul Rogers: Schedule your time wisely Home Help: 3 upgrades to help give your bathroom spa-like panache Health Official hopeful whooping cough case at John Muir contained Health Watch: How to avoid the dreaded weight-loss plateau Book Notes: A big body is not a bad body Go get physical Community blog: Better Living By Design: A Symposium You Must Not Miss Hiking Biking Faith Religion Briefs: Friday, April 17 Religion briefs: Friday, April 10 Religion briefs: Friday, April 3 Religion briefs: Friday, March 27 Milestones and Achievements Charlesworth-Murphy Drizzle doesn't dampen Pear Blossom Parade spirit New Arrivals: Sunday, April 12 Columnist for a Day Rogue Healthy Aging Tempo Latest stories Five picks for entertainment this week L.A. rockers The Relationship play Howiee's Joanne Rand at the Unitarian Fellowship Rogue Valley Symphony and 3 Leg Torso mingle classical with modern chamber music Third Fridays celebrates poetry, student art Theater Ashland New Plays Festival chooses new artistic director A tale of two plays at OSF Oregon Cabaret Theatre's "The Musical!" delivers five clever Broadway parodies in Ashland OCT stages 'The Musical of Musicals (The Musical!)' Auditions for youth musical set at Camelot Music Alex de Grassi and Andrew York play SOU Live Music in Local Clubs L.A. rockers The Relationship play Howiee's Joanne Rand at the Unitarian Fellowship Rogue Valley Symphony and 3 Leg Torso mingle classical with modern chamber music Community Events Third Fridays celebrates poetry, student art 'BRAND,' 'Western' among Ashland Independent Film Festival award winners Ashland Co-Dependent Film Festival 2015 Pear Blossom Festival kicks off in Medford Ashland Independent Film Festival announces 2015 lineup Dining Siam Cafe offers 'mild' to 'very spicy' Thai cuisine Restaurant inspections, April 12, 2015 La Tapatia offers authentically delicious cuisine RESTAURANT INSPECTIONS: Sunday, April 5 The Laughing Clam in Grants Pass offers seafood-heavy menu Tempo Videos Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » Obits Blogs TV Listings Movie Listings Oregon Outdoors Oregon Healthy Living Special Sections Business Services NEWS NOW The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework ... The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history ... Jurors see shocking conditions of accused serial killer's farm ... The Medford School Board was right: 'American Pageant' is a fine book, and the board did its homework ... The Medford School Board was wrong: 'American Pageant' is a political agenda, not history ... Jurors see shocking conditions of accused serial killer's farm ... Mark L. Hopkins: Your university in the top 20 By Mark L. Hopkins More Content Now MailTribune.com By Mark L. Hopkins More Content Now Posted Apr. 16, 2015 @ 12:05 pm By Mark L. Hopkins More Content Now Posted Apr. 16, 2015 @ 12:05 pm » Social News p bs:newslist StartDate="20121121" EndDate="p bs:datecalc Months="3"" DateSort="1" UseObjects="1" ObjectClass="81" Taxonomywords="2325,665" ExactTaxonomyMatch="1" Image="1" Count="4" --> The U.S. News and World Report ranks colleges and universities each year. So does Barron’s and the Princeton Review. Yet the criteria for ranking universities is so suspect that many universities are not included because they refuse to submit their data for comparison. They don’t want to be a part of the deception. The key question for consideration is, “Can U.S. universities be ranked? I was visiting universities in India a few years ago, and over the course of a week was on the campus of both the University of Delhi and the University of Bombay (now called Mumbai). At both locations I looked at the university’s catalogs, most specifically, at the business offerings. Both offer the business commerce degree that is common with United Kingdom universities. Noting the courses and content I commented to the dean of business at UB, “Your curriculum is very similar to that of the University of Delhi.” He responded, “Yes, they are identical. India, as you know, is a democracy, and we want every student, no matter where they live to have the same opportunity.” In my mind I pondered this statement and contrasted it with the reality of similar situations in the U.S. The dean from Bombay was proud of the similarity of the equal opportunity provided. By contrast, if you suggested to a university president in the US. that his institution was just like another he would be offended. Why? By their design American universities are to be responsive to the needs of the people they are created to serve. Since no two populations are the same, no two universities are the same either. One cannot copy the programming of another and expect to serve well the needs of the local constituency. For example, Michigan is a state where the dominant industry is the production of automobiles, trucks and tractors. To prepare their people to work in those industries the University of Michigan and Michigan State University have academic programs in automotive, electronic and plastics engineering. By contrast, the state of Missouri is dominantly an agricultural state, with very little automobile or truck production. Thus, the University of Missouri has excellent agriculture programs but limited programs in automotive related engineering. Now, reason out the answer to this question: “If Michigan excels in engineering and Missouri excels in agriculture, how then can we rank these two institutions whose programming is like apples and oranges? Add to the mix the University of Colorado, which excels in mining technology, the University of Southern California (just a few miles from Hollywood), which excels in art, music, and the various areas of the performing arts, and many other universities across the country with diverse programming. How about Harvard, which always seems to be at the top of anyone’s rankings for U.S. universities? Hasn’t everyone heard of Harvard? Wasn’t it our first university? (Did you know the College of Charleston was the third university established in the U.S.?) Harvard offers no engineering or agriculture at all. If I want to be an engineer or a farmer, I can’t even consider Harvard. On the other hand, if I want theology, business, education, or the arts and sciences, Harvard can be included on my search list. Clemson would like to be No. 1, or at least in the top 20 of the U.S. universities. Unlike comparing football teams, where you can sometimes decide who is No. 1 on the field, a university’s academic ranking is at best mythical. Ratings are good for a university to list, especially when they make the school look good. Unfortunately, you can’t compare apples and oranges. Higher education in the U.S. is more like the fruit salad served at a church supper. Dr. Mark L. Hopkins writes for More Content Now and Scripps Newspapers. He is past president of colleges and universities in four states and currently serves as executive director of a higher-education consulting service. Hopkins’ latest book, “Journey to Gettysburg,” is now available at Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble. Contact him at [email protected]. By Mark L. Hopkins More Content Now MailTribune.com By Mark L. Hopkins More Content Now Posted Apr. 16, 2015 @ 12:05 pm » Comment or view comments /* $( document ).ready(function() { // Jquery mobile is trying to style the button and leaving a blank gry button on top of a white button $("#viafouracoms .vf-comment-controls li.vf-right").html(' Submit '); });*/ » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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