For the last Quick and Dirty of the semester, we were inspired by this story about the death of professor Karl-Ludwig Selig. As one former student described, "Fifty years later people can still recite his lectures," and, "He was always available—if the light was on in his office, he’d have been happy to talk to you for hours.” So we asked our contributors: Do professors like Selig still exist?
Salonee Bhaman, Columnist: Professors like professor Selig absolutely exist—that it's even a question is ridiculous! What may have changed is our willingness as a campus to partake more fully in academic life outside the classroom. Legacies like this aren't made in a vacuum—they're made during office hours, and during class dinners, and going out for drinks with your peers to talk about subject matter in a more informal context. They require more personal engagement.
Lanbo Zhang, Editorial Page Editor: I know many professors who would be happy to talk for hours, but I also know that they experience administrative burdens that make it impossible. I don't blame those professors for not trying, mostly I just wish they could.
