These "new `immigrants'... women and minorities," she wrote, "bring some differences in expectations" that necessitate "cross-cultural communications, reconsideration of assumptions, learning new skills and habits, and adjusting priorities."
While Wilson addressed some legitimate concerns, her remarks exemplify the confusion of scientific, educational, political, and social agendas that permeates much of the current debate on science education. She addressed the future of the research university in terms of accommodations to social and political changes, rather than the much more challenging problems of preserving the essential mission of the university in the face of overwhelming social, political, and economic pressures.
Few would argue that the scientific environment should not be friendly and sensitive to the individual needs of people. There is and should be flexibility in accommodating and finding niches for people of divergent goals and levels of commitment. There may indeed be good reason to change the rules, in the interest ...
