Everything palls, everything passes, everything perishes

Still, they should not give up just because the challenges are significant. Universities cannot build character unless they provide good role models. Students learn ethics by being part of an ethical community. Universities can begin at the individual level by insisting that staff and students respect others, behave civilly, and meet their obligations. Academics must meet classes on time, return assignments promptly and mark fairly. They must also stay active in their fields, update their teaching materials and use effective teaching methods.  

At the institutional level, universities need policies about how long research results can be kept secret, and they must enforce these policies even if their corporate sponsors object. Universities must develop rules on conflict of interest. Academics with a financial interest in drug firms should reveal their interest to anyone considering participating in their research. Universities also require workable policies for academic freedom. As long as they are competent professionals, academics should not see their careers die because their views do not accord with the current wisdom.

The most crucial challenge facing universities is to articulate a vision of what they are trying to achieve for society and then live up to it. If they can demonstrate their social value, they will recapture the respect they once enjoyed. If they fail, they risk becoming little more than self-seeking institutions. If this happens, they will ultimately go the way of the monasteries, and we would all be much poorer for that.