commentary ACADEMIC BIRTH CONTROL: LONG OVERDUE

Abstract

It's long been the subject of discussion in bars, bedrooms, and backyards, but it's time to get it out in the open where it begins to have an effect on the explicit decision-making process. We are producing far too many Ph.D. students in those ecology programs where the structure of the learning program is designed to produce larval professors. It is simply absurd, and a da:mnation of a process that is supposed to be cerebral, when we advertise for an assistant professor position in plant ecology and receive applications from 100 persons, at least 40 of which obviously could carry out a competent teaching and research program in plant ecology in a decent university.