Café Inquiry (ONLINE) – Higher Education in Crisis?

 This event is held online. (Click the button to join the Zoom meeting.)

How University Presidents Set the Tone for Institutional Culture and Why That Matters to Students

Is there a crisis in higher education? Does higher education still have value? Why do some universities struggle while others seem to thrive? Join us at the next Café Inquiry Online as Dr. Figen Mekik, Professor of Geology in the Physics Department of Grand Valley State University, discusses these issues along with how the quality of senior institutional leadership is the key to a thriving university – affecting both tuition costs and the quality of education and support. Dr. Mekik will also touch on recent decisions at the University of Michigan (hiring a new President) and at GVSU (cutting some retirement benefits) and their potential impacts. This promises to be a very topical and lively discussion. See you there!

Dr. Figen Mekik became the public face of an open letter to the Board of Trustees of GVSU signed by (now) over 250 faculty, students, and staff concerned about the new direction of the Institution set by its senior leadership. Figen has authored several articles about the fallacies of crisis in higher education, students being the most important people on campus, and the qualities senior leadership must have to successfully steward their institution for the benefit of all its students.

Café Inquiry starts with a short introduction of the day’s topic, followed by casual discussion.

This event is free and open to the public. Donations appreciated, but not expected.

Attendees are able to future propose topics which would align with Michigan Humanist’s purpose: from atheism, agnosticism, humanism, secularism, and freethinking to broader subjects in science and humanities, such as religion, philosophy, social issues, politics, evolution, morality, ethics, and psychology.

Café Inquiry (Grand Rapids) meets each month IN PERSON on the second Sunday and ONLINE on the fourth Sunday.

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Michigan Humanists values the participation of all guests — requests for reasonable accommodation may be made by contacting the event host at least three days prior to the event.

Michigan Humanists expects all guests to engage in respectful discussion. Critiques on views and claims based on merit are allowed, but not attacks on individuals who hold other perspectives.

Any person engaging in disruptive behavior or harassment will be asked to leave, and may be banned from future events pending the severity of the action. Please speak to the event host or contact info@michiganhumanists.org if you feel these expectations are being violated.