She said, however, the faculty does need to discuss grading policy.
Gutmann said one way to combat the consumerization of education is to increase financial aid opportunities for students.
“If education is a consumer good, then raffle it off the the highest bidders,” Gutmann said.
But if it is not, Gutmann said, then universities must make it available to all qualified students.
Chait said there was not enough information available for informed discussion. Faculty members do not do enough research on teaching, he said.
“What’s of most interest is how little data faculty generate on faculty,” he said.
“The moment we get complacent is the moment we’re in decline,” Gutmann said.
—Staff writer Kate L. Rakoczy can be reached at rakoczy@fas.harvard.edu.