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<p>In higher education–or education at any level, for that matter–“productivity gains” = higher s/f ratios + larger class sizes = dilution of product quality. And if you’re going to turn it into online education, why not just enroll everyone in the University of Phoenix?</p>
<p>I actually don’t think people want that; not from their state flagship. I can’t imagine there’s going to be any large-scale public outcry over Hogan’s ouster. UIUC alums will probably care more than anyone, and most of them will side with the UIUC faculty in their desire to protect UIUC’s autonomy and the UIUC brand. My sense is that since UIC and UI Springfield are primarily commuter schools, their alums on the whole are probably not as passionate about their alma mate. But to the extent there is school pride there (as there definitely is with some UIC alums), sentiment might well be mixed, some against Hogan for taking steps that threaten the school’s autonomy and independent brand, and some perhaps for him for trying to find ways for UIC to piggyback on UIUC’s prestige and resources.</p>
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<p>But my understanding is that in the “integrated” UC system, each campus has pretty much the same kinds of autonomy in budgeting and personnel matters that Hogan was trying to strip the U of I campuses of.</p>