Again and again, universities have put a low priority on the very programs and initiatives that are needed most to increase productivity and competitiveness, improve the quality of government, and overcome the problems of illiteracy, miseducation, and unemployment. Derek Bok competitivenessgovernmentilliteracy share on social
I think the minority students that we admit to Harvard are every bit as meritorious as the white students that we admit. Derek Bok admitbiteharvard Change image and share on social
I believe that Harvard can have, and must have, a strong affirmative action program that reflects our commitment to equal opportunity while fully respecting the academic standards of the University. Derek Bok academicactionaffirmative Change image and share on social
Apart from finding a first job, college graduates seem to adapt more easily than those with only a high school degree as the economy evolves and labor-market needs change. Derek Bok adaptchangecollege Change image and share on social
I think any self-respecting educational institution ought to judge its policies by its best estimate of what their long-term consequences for their students and for the society will be. Derek Bok consequenceeducationalestimate Change image and share on social
Colleges do not merely offer preparation for the future; they occupy four years of a student's life, and an institution should do what it can to make these years absorbing and enjoyable. Derek Bok absorbcollegeenjoyable Change image and share on social
The college that takes students with modest entering abilities and improves their abilities substantially contributes more than the school that takes very bright students and helps them develop only modestly. Derek Bok abilitybrightcollege share on social
Critics of American colleges typically attribute the failings of undergraduate education to a tendency on the part of professors to neglect their teaching to concentrate on research. In fact, the evidence does not support this thesis, except perhaps in major research universities. Derek Bok americanattributecollege share on social
I suspect that no community will become humane and caring by restricting what its members can say. Derek Bok carecommunityhumane Change image and share on social
Efforts to develop critical thinking falter in practice because too many professors still lecture to passive audiences instead of challenging students to apply what they have learned to new questions. Derek Bok applyaudiencechallenge Change image and share on social
