Master planners and faculty development

Immigration

Master Planners: Faculty Development Article

This article was very interesting in terms of technology and its usefulness within large organizations. The public tends to think of technology as a means of saving money in market characterized by budget cuts and government defaults. However, upon reading this article, technology is not as efficient as many pundits believe it to be. First, as the article indicates, there is a steep learning curve in regards to the utilization of the technology. This is especially true in university settings as professors are apprehensive about using technology to begin with. These professors are often unfamiliar with the technology altogether, or they simply refuse to use it. This creates complications as students are hindered by the professor's inability to use technology effectively. Furthermore, due the high turnover rates in technology related products, organizations constantly have to alter their usage. These organizations may have many incompatible and unrelated products within one system. This creates efficiency problems are professors or managers must learn many different systems at once as oppose to having a single platform. In addition, the article indicates that it is often difficult to quantify the dollar amount of savings that technology related products actually produce. Simple calculations such ROI or NPV are difficult to calculate because the supposed savings and cash inflows are not quantifiable. Due to this fact, many public administrations question the efficiencies of technology altogether.

The article does indicate however, that organizations should plan for tomorrow's technology. Technology has now become a euphemism for the information age. As individuals, information rarely escapes an organizations grasp as now anybody can have access to its vast array of knowledge. More importantly, in the midst of our global society, technology has a profound role on our nation's ability to participate in a more competitive environment. As the age old adage states, "Knowledge is power," and in many instances this statement is correct. Information allows individuals to make better informed decisions regarding projects that can have grave implications on society if the solution is incorrect. Further, information allows more convenience in regards to access and search of particular concepts. Due to these trends the article suggests calculated ventures into technology that are not inefficient. The article suggests faculty development in which all personnel are appropriately trained on technology and its benefits. The article also suggests strategic planning initiatives to take advantage of technological cycles and to leverage them for organizational performance.

What are your reactions to the articles on immigration and the dream act?

The first and most obvious reaction to reading both articles is the difficulty in which immigrants face to obtain a legal status within the United States (Ewing, 2006). This difficulty poses two significant threats to the United States and its ability to remain competitive in a global environment. First, immigration standards and requirements, as they stand now, inhibit economic prosperity and growth within the United States. Immigrants often come to American is search of better opportunities, which was blatantly evident in both articles. Many families are productive immigrants with great moral character. By deporting or removing these individuals from society, we are removing individuals who could potentially contribute to America's prosperity (Freeman, 2007). Once they become citizens, these immigrants will pay taxes, which will ultimately help reduce a cascading amount of public debt. More importantly, those that are educated in America will remain in America to utilize the knowledge they obtained. This allows America to retain its top talent as oppose to providing this talent to other countries who may not have an environment in which to cultivate it. As evidenced by the Dream Come True article, Sindy is a great high school student who exhibits great moral character. Most likely, she will pursue a degree within a public university within the United States. It is a detriment to America if we remove her from society and force her to return back to Guatemala. First, America is losing a valuable asset in regards to our countries prosperity and second we are removing an individual who exhibits great character (Immigration policy center, 2005).

Another reaction to the article is that more must be done in order to hasten and strength the legal immigration process. America must reward legal immigration and shun illegal immigration. It is not fair to the legal residents of the United States, who pay taxes, and who fight wars for America, to provide the same benefits to those who do not. Illegal immigration must be stopped while also providing an avenue for current illegals to have the opportunities to become an American citizen. I first believe steeping penalties must be enacted on corporations who hire illegal immigrants. Without the economic benefit of earning wages in the United States, individuals will then be forced to legally become citizens. Furthermore, I agree with the previsions of the DREAM act as long as a clear path to citizenry is embedded in the legislation, which it is.