End of the University as we know it?

[sanantone]

I didn't have time to read the whole article thoroughly, but I disagree with the author's logic. He pretty much states that most of the elite universities will stick around while other universities won't because the mid-tier universities won't be able to compete due to differences in prestige. Basically, more people will go for open source programs at Harvard because of its name than Texas Tech, for example. My argument is that the Ivy League schools and other elite universities will lose their prestige when they let everyone complete programs at their schools. There's no telling how it would affect their endowments. My guess is that prestigious universities will protect their names by sticking with titles like Harvardx or MITx. Employers will know the difference. If they don't stick with this naming model, employers will still be able to tell the difference between those who completed courses or certificate programs from an open source project and those who had to go through the rigorous admissions process in order to get into a degree program. Harvard puts "extension studies" on the diplomas of those who graduate from Harvard Extension. They even tell you it's improper to list Harvard University on your resume without mentioning extension studies in your degree. I'd much rather have Texas Tech, MA in Psychology on my resume than Harvard University, Master of Liberal Arts in Extension Studies, Concentration in Psychology.