August 28, 2016

The Philadelphia Museum of Art is launching a School of Contemporary Circus replete with a three-year vocational diploma in circus arts.  Apparently, it will focus on "acrobatics, aerials, object manipulation, strength and flexibility" among other elements of a circus curriculum, dare I say, its "cirriculum."

I have been in higher education long enough to give them suggestions to make their school as higher education-like as possible.

I know the clown to run the place.  He has likely moved from institution to institution as much as the average circus moves from town to town.

I can recommend a good juggler of the books. 

Many an administrator has done the high-wire act.  Most, however, have had quite the safety net if they mis-stepped, so the level of risk is minimal.

There are no shortage of heads to stick in the lions' mouths.  The question is whether the lions will willingly take them.

Contortion is a daily rite of passage and frankly should be in the job description anyway.

Any number of mid-level managers are used to walking behind massive egos and cleaning up their sh*t.

Too many faculty have been forced into the chair balancing act. 

Scarcely an institution exists that doesn't have an elephant that goes unseen in meeting rooms.

A dog and pony show is trotted out yearly at most schools.

Employees have gotten used to jumping through the hoops.

I know people want to know about the freak shows. Maybe higher ed isn't freaky enough. Occasionally someone falls on a sword, but rarely swallows it. 

However, there are plenty of strongmen.  They can be found on the football field but not in the classroom.

Fire-breathing and fire-eating can often be found after 11:00 pm at any frat party.

Come to think of it, the human cannonball often occurs after 11:00 pm at any frat party.  Drunk volunteers line up around the street.

So, sorry, Philadelphia Museum of Art. What you propose isn't unique at all in higher education.  We've been there and done that.