The world is presently undergoing rapid changes, and the future of research institutions may be affected by those changes, according to speakers participating in a symposium titled ‘Year 2020: The Research University in a Global Society.’

The symposium, held Friday in the Georgia Center for Continuing Education, brought in speakers from around the country to discuss issues relevant to research universities. The day-long event featured three different sessions.

James Duderstadt, a professor of science and engineering at the University of Michigan, pointed out the extinction of the family farm in the last few decades as an example of a possible fate of higher education institutions.

‘We’ve entered a unique time,’ he said. ‘Will a tidal wave of societal forces sweep over universities?’

He blamed the rise of education commercialization for some of the potential risks research universities may face.

He said a ‘market-driven’ and ‘media-based’ approach to education could create schools too expensive for many people to attend, forcing them to find cheaper, lower quality educations at ‘shopping mall’ colleges.

Michael Janeway, director of the National Arts Journalism Program in the Graduate School of Journalism at Columbia University, agreed that the rise of the marketplace may have severe effects in the future.

There is currently a ‘customer obsession in higher education,’ he said, telling of a recent conversation he had with a colleague who warned him against grading students too harshly because they must provide for their ‘customers’ — students attending the university.

Janeway also blamed the ‘all too breathless race’ of computer technology as finally creating the ‘vulgarized Star Trek of our time,’ another factor that could decrease the quality of education at research universities.

Technology is ‘a magnificent tool for the management of our destiny — or is it our destiny in the saddle?’ he said. ‘These are still just machines, instruments. Mankind is still in charge.’

He said many universities may spend too much time looking toward the possibilities of technological advancement rather than asking hard questions to provoke thought in students.

Duderstadt said he has high hopes for the futures of colleges and universities, despite the challenges they may face.

‘As society changes, so too must societal institutions, such as the university,’ he said. They ‘will change in a profound way to save a profound world, but how and by whom?’

Those attending the forum said it was a useful way to consider the possible future of higher education.

‘We don’t have an opportunity to think about issues outside of our departments,’ said Brenda Cude, head of the Department of Housing and Consumer Economics at the University. ‘This is an opportunity to listen to ideas and consider points about the University as a whole.’