Nine Shift

How to Cut College Tuition

Here's how to cut out-of-reach and out-of-reason high college tuition.

Colleges reduce or eliminate costs that have nothing to do with learning. It's already been done at the University of Tulsa.  Last year, the then Dean of Continuing Education Paula Hogard received administration support for cutting tuition by a whopping 25% because her non-traditional working adult students did not utilize the football team, weight room, dormitories, student cafeteria, homecoming parade, and other non-academic activities.

Nine Shift has predicted we need to cut tuition in half.  In one easy stroke, the University of Tulsa got halfway there.  And the University of Tulsa is a private university - - they have to cover far more of their costs than publicly supported universities.  It can be done.  It will be done. We just need it done sooner than later. Your thoughts?

Immigration, technology hot issues

Immigation and technology were hot issues - - 100 years ago, in 1911.

Just like today, people 100 years ago worried about the immigration of Poles, Italians and other new immigrants.  

Just like today, people 100 years ago worried about the new technology replacing face-to-face human communication.  The new technology then included radio (the wireless), telegraph, movies, telephone.

Just like today, progressive people were upset with the Supreme Court, which ruled the 8 hour work day unconstitutional.

Just like today, the issues 100 years ago moving from one economic era into another were the same as today.

Women in 1911: Helpful to now?

The top book in 1911 was Hilda Lessaways.

It says a lot about the state of women moving into the new 20th century, but is it helpful now in understanding what will happen in this decade? 

The story was about Hilda Lessaways as she moves from girlhood into womanhood. The story took place in the late 1880s, about which I figure that literature looks back, rarely forward.  The first 20th century books did not appear until the 1920's (Main Street; The Great Gatsby).

Hilda just starts to realize she can be an individual, have an individual personality and aspirations, rather than subscribing and following the one role state that women were put in prior to the 20th century. We know that the second decade of the 20th century was a decade in which women broke out. They were instrumental in the leadership of many social causes, one of which was getting their own right to vote. 

The Year 2011 in Review

It's time to look at 1911 for clues about what will happen in 2011.

NineShifter Thom Lowther of the U.S. Green Building Council (the organization that created and certifies LEED buildings) asked us what went on in 1911.  As all NineShifters know, what happened in 1911 will be repeated in 2011.

The big question is: does America in 2011 more resemble America in 1911 or Great Britain (then the world's superpower, going in decline) in 1911? 

Here's some of what was happening in 1911-1913 in Great Britain:

* Military expenses increase. The precursor to the Royal Air Force was created; the first British submarine, and new ships were built.  Even though, or especially because, GB was going into decline, they devoted resources to the military. Look (unfortunately) for the U.S. to repeat this mistake.

* National health system created.  The National Health Insurance Act was passed in 1912, a key social foundation for prosperity for the 20th century.

* Suffragettes protest and get arrested.  Suffragettes staged numerous rallies, protests and were arrested and put in jail for advocating the right for women to vote.  Once again, another key social foundation for prosperity for the 20th century was in the works.

So things weren't so simple, then as now. Great Britain both was going into decline, yet at the same time creating some positive key foundations for social prosperity moving forward.  Remember: while Great Britain lost its #1 position in the world, life was still good for Brits for most of the 20th century.

Trains: Congress does not get it

Congress is clueless about the need and demand for more trains.

We were at the train station, seeing Willie go back to Portland.
The train was packed, not a single seat empty, the conductor said.  "Why don't they just add cars?" asked an older man to a friend.  The reason: there are no more cars to add. There are only 632 passenger cars in the whole country.  Congress has only recently authorized money to build and repair more cars.

Earlier this month Julie took the train while visiting family in North Carolina. Her brother drove her to the train station, only he did not know where it is.  When they got there, her brother was amazed at all the people getting on the train.  Like her brother, Congress just does not understand the demand for trains.

The pro-car forces are fighting trains in Congress, and across the land.  Meanwhile, England is spending $46 billion  (more than the entire California route) on improving speed between just two cities: London and Birmingham. The trip only takes 70 minutes now, the $46 billion will take 15 minutes off the trip. The Brits, even with a Conservative government slashing expenses, understand that trains are so important that saving 15 minutes for thousands of business people will mean billions more in economic activity and increased prosperity. 

Photo: Wonderful sight of a jam packed train station, as we see Willie off after the holidays.  Trains are wonderful!