N.C. State is the land grant institution of the state of North Carolina. What does that mean over 100 years after our founding? Is N.C. State’s obligation to the people of North Carolina or to being an international leader? Do we want the brightest students from across the country or should we reserve more spots for native North Carolinians? Are we supposed to support the system and stimulate the economy or fight the system and work towards change? Are we about researching or teaching? Who matters the most: alumni, students or faculty? Should N.C. State be focused on the past, the present or the future? Depending on who you ask, you’re going to get a different answer to each of these questions, but it’s important for each of us to ask them.

As a student, have you asked yourself why you came to college? Are you here to get a better job, or to learn how to think — or possibly to obtain your MRS degree? Are you scared to challenge the system because you might need a recommendation one day? Is it more important to play the game or stand up for what you believe in? Can you criticize without making enemies? Are you taking advantages of every opportunity given to you?

Such are the problems facing higher education today. Administrators are put in a difficult position as they must meet the demands of such a diverse population. Students face the conundrum of sacrificing their youthful idealism for the realities of finding a job and economic survival.

It’s time to stop accepting mediocrity, to not be content with they way things are, to fight for how they could be. Universities, and education in general, exist to teach students not how to think, but the ability to think. The government has warped this mission and turned education into an institution built to perpetuate the status quo, but higher education has the autonomy and ability to break out of this mold.

What does this mean for N.C. State? We need to stop comparing ourselves to our peers because it makes us look competitive and strive simply to be the best we can be. Administrators must do more than simply dismiss the student body’s opinion as uninformed and worthless. Students must look beyond N.C. State, beyond North Carolina and out into the world.

We have made progress in this area as Chancellor James Oblinger and Provost Larry Nielsen have established strong ties with universities in China. Additionally, we have a strong co-op program. However, opportunities for this type of enrichment should go not only to the brightest, but to every student. The most brilliant people will find a way to succeed no matter the circumstances. N.C. State must challenge the average, struggling student to participate in programs such as scholars, Alternative Spring Break and study abroad. Resources must be found to ensure these types of activities are available to those who need it most. Every student should be graduating with honors. N.C. State must continue to keep up the good work and continue to make consistent and constant progress.

Universities train the workforce and policy makers of tomorrow. However, the question we all must answer before graduation is if students are trained to be leaders of the current system or innovators of a new one.

What do you think the role of the University should be? Send us your thoughts and e-mail them to [email protected].