Bud Kennedy’s column today pressing for a research university here inadvertantly reveals why we’re so far behind in getting one. Short answer: institutional and inter-city rivalry among UTDallas, UTArlington, UT Southwestern, and UNT. Meanwhile, Houston has put all its marbles on UH. Guess who is going to win the first round.
It would be helpful if people would face facts. UNT and UTArlington exist to serve the broader need for public higher education, not to try to turn themselves into mini-MITs. The fast track for a research university here is to merge UTDallas and UTSouthwestern, perhaps including the new engineering and science school at UTArlington. You spread the manure too thin and nothing grows. All you’ve done is wasted some manure.
Meanwhile, on a brighter note, SMU forges ahead.
