Some Community Thoughts: What is Elite?

In response to my invitation from a previous message on what makes a university elite, many of you shared your thoughts–thank you. Your feedback was great, and I have selected a few to share with the rest of our community.

I edited the comments below and withheld names (for privacy and brevity) from current students, faculty, staff, alumni and parents, but hope I have reflected fairly on each author's message.

An elite university allows students to grow and explore their passions for learning – to pursue their own paths.  Elite universities have ways to allow exceptional students to double major and pursue minors as well. Universities shine as elite when their students graduate with personalized educational programs.

Elite means to bring out the best in others. A group or individual can do so through talent, knowledge, courage, or many other ways. Elites will inspire thought, motivate creativity and bring oneness to the whole. In that sense, our university has the opportunity to be an elite organization within our community.

What makes an institution truly elite is the people it educates and turns out; its product is the quality of the people who then go out into the world and make it better.

While you raise some good points, I have to ask, why try to be elite at all?

It seems a bit unfair that in order to be considered elite in today’s standards, one must have some kind of legacy already established. “Elite” schools give a sense of “eliteness” to their students but … those universities all started with no reputation and it was the great minds of their students that made the schools what they are today.

… every person is responsible for his/her own legacy. “Elite” school students are not guaranteed “eliteness” because they attend a particular school.

If being elite means to be chosen, I feel that “eliteness” is not … predetermined or based on previous generations. Anyone should be able to be considered elite based on his or her hard work and will to be great.

To be elite, the students must have support from the community, faculty and staff … I hope … the faculty, staff and law enforcement embrace this message.

I always question our need to be something other than who we are and at times have felt like we come off as “wannabes.”

… we help students take a “gigantic leap.”

I don't think we need the term elite because of its negative connotations.  We aren't “exclusive.”  We are influential, outstanding, exceptional and remarkable.  I think we strive to be even better and that should continue.

… I had the … privilege of attending an “elite” school as an undergrad … my parents and circumstances were big factors in my attending that school … I valued my time, experience and education at CSULB more than my time at the “elite U” … CSULB has a “down to earth-ness” and a “not taking it for granted” (attitude) that were missing at “elite U.”

My eldest daughter graduated CSULB … with a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design … her education was second to none … elite in every sense of the word.  From her professors, to the art facilities, to the academic counseling, to the opportunities to use her talents, she was treated as an elite student.  Her skills were honed, her world expanded.

My son, currently working on his B.S. in Biology, is preparing to apply to medical school at the end of this year.  He has benefited from great teaching and lab research experiences … at CSULB.  We have no doubt that his elite experience will serve him well in his future.

Our kids were accepted at other universities that are certainly seen as more “elite” than CSULB in the eyes of the world, but we are thrilled that they chose The Beach.  By commuting from home … they allowed us to enjoy them a bit longer … My daughter … set off on her new life with no debt and an elite education.

Elite as in special forces: A highly trained group of specialists … prepared to execute their mission … with cool heads…Known for endurance in extreme circumstances … embracing their individual and collaborative responsibilities around a single focused mission. Able to adapt to changing circumstances... Always ready.

“Eliteness” is a mindset … not of superiority by privilege but earned by credibility … by habitually doing what no one else can do and doing it better the next time.

The “elite” … are those who daily have a positive impact on someone’s life and the place they … inhabit. My view of “elite” comes from … teachers (who) would greet us with these words "What have you done for someone else today?" Yes … I thought about and answered the question each day.

… "elite" … interprets to giving of yourself in everything you do. Looking around and seeing what you can do for someone else is part of becoming "elite" and, in turn, teaching the path to humanitarianism … becoming a mensch, a mentor, an inspiration to others.

I believe a university should be judged not by the grades of its students but by its humanitarianism, by the university raising opportunities for the less advantaged in its community … engaging in health initiatives, which … open the door to services for Long Beach residents both old and young …

Many faculty and students at CSULB … already qualify as part of the "elite," but let's make it universally known who we are and what we stand for and that … the principles of humanitarianism should be the barometer of the behavior of the "elite."

In my opinion a learning environment … is elite if all its members … can … grow together and learn from each other to achieve a common goal of a bigger, better and more sustainable future.

These messages also contain some thoughts for future steps. I’ll be following up, to be sure. Thank you!