Haven University
The Chat GPT University
What does higher education look like to the internet? To find out, I asked Chat GPT. But, of course, I didn’t ask the AI chatbot directly. Instead, I gave it a series of prompts asking it to write about a fictional institution of higher education.
The upshot is that Chat GPT invented a selective, “comprehensive research university” with ostensibly liberal values and priorities. The university that the bot invented does not reflect the vast majority of higher education institutions in the world, let alone the United States, where this institution appears to be.
I did not want to lead the robot on (I am not that kind of person). So, I didn’t give the bot much to go on to start. Instead, I promoted the OpenAI bot by asking it to write a profile for a fictional institution of higher education. I didn’t tell it what kind of higher education institution it should write about, but I did ask for a name and the bot to describe the degrees it offers and explain its mission.
Look out for the signs that the bot-invented university is a wealthy, selective university in the United States. Also, look for generic global society-type values statements. We get a would-be well-to-do private US university - think Tufts or Georgetown - but it could also be generated by assembling global cultural scripts via John Meyer-type analysis.
Take a look at the bot-campus. My prompts are in bold italic text, and the replies are set off in block quotes below. I offer annotation inside the reply quotes using brackets [with my thoughts].
Please write the profile of a fictional institution of higher education in 500 words. Give the institution a name and explain the degrees it offers and other aspects of the institution’s mission. [Notice that I did not indicate that the institution should be a university or have any particular status beyond offering degrees]
Located in the heart of a bustling metropolis, Haven University [immediately we university in a cosmopolitan community] is a fictional institution of higher education renowned for its commitment to innovation, diversity, and excellence. Founded in the early 20th century [few institutions of this profile were founded as late as the 20th century, espeically in US], Haven University has grown from a small liberal arts college to a comprehensive research university with a diverse student body and a global reputation for academic excellence [on the move!].
Haven University offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs across a variety of disciplines, including business, engineering, humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Undergraduate students can choose from over 100 majors and minors, while graduate students have access to over 50 advanced degree programs, including master's degrees, doctoral degrees, and professional programs. [The program catalogue]
Haven University is committed to providing its students with a well-rounded education that prepares them for success in the 21st century. Its faculty members are experts in their fields, with many having earned national and international recognition for their research and scholarship [I did not ask about the faculty or their status but the bot knew to tell me]. The university's academic programs are designed to foster critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills, and to prepare students for leadership roles in their chosen fields [Clear institutional script: cutting edge, innovative, excellent, prepares students who have agency and choice to become leaders].
In addition to its academic programs, Haven University is also home to a vibrant campus life [remember, these are “well rounded” students]. Its students come from all over the world, and the university prides itself on its diverse and inclusive community [liberal and cosmopolitan]. The campus is home to a variety of student organizations and clubs, as well as a robust athletics program that includes both varsity and club sports.
Haven University is also committed to serving its local and global communities [not just an Ivory Tower!]. Its faculty members and students engage in research and community service projects that address some of the most pressing issues facing society today, from climate change to poverty to social justice. The university's partnerships with local businesses and organizations provide its students with valuable opportunities for internships and practical experience, while also contributing to the economic growth and development of the surrounding community [this university is global, but also rooted in the community].
One of the hallmarks of Haven University is its commitment to innovation and entrepreneurship. The university has a long history of supporting startups and fostering an entrepreneurial spirit among its students and faculty members [the chatbot is interested in startups and entrepreneurial innovation, I am not surprised]. Its cutting-edge research centers and institutes are dedicated to advancing knowledge and solving real-world problems, while also providing students with opportunities for hands-on research experience.
Haven University is also known for its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship [back to liberal values]. The university has implemented a number of initiatives aimed at reducing its carbon footprint and promoting sustainable practices on campus and in the community. Its students and faculty members are active in environmental research and advocacy, working to address some of the most pressing environmental challenges of our time.
At Haven University, the mission is simple: to provide its students with a world-class education that prepares them for success in a rapidly changing world, while also contributing to the greater good of society [doing good by doing well]. With its commitment to innovation, diversity, and excellence, Haven University is a beacon of hope and inspiration for students, faculty members, and community members alike.
Write a 250 word profile of Haven University’s student body.
The student body at Haven University is diverse and dynamic, reflecting the institution's commitment to inclusivity and academic excellence [what does this mean?]. With students from all over the world, Haven University fosters a multicultural learning environment that encourages students to share their unique perspectives and experiences [second time we learn that students are from “all over the world”].
The student body is comprised of over 30,000 undergraduate and graduate students, with a roughly equal gender split [gender binary]. The average age of undergraduate students is 21, while graduate students tend to be slightly older, with an average age of 29 [this is oddly specific compared to the information on diversity which was generic]. Haven University attracts high-achieving students from a variety of backgrounds, and its students are known for their academic prowess, intellectual curiosity, and social consciousness [these are not duds, these students are good!].
The student body at Haven University is highly engaged, both on and off campus. Students participate in a wide range of extracurricular activities, including student clubs and organizations, community service projects, and athletic programs [back to well rounded]. Many students also take advantage of the university's numerous research and internship opportunities, gaining valuable hands-on experience in their chosen fields.
Haven University prides itself on providing its students with a supportive learning environment that fosters personal growth and development. The university offers a variety of academic and career services, including tutoring, academic advising, and career counseling, to help students achieve their goals and succeed academically and professionally [this is not about the student body, it is about university services].
Overall, the student body at Haven University is diverse, intellectually curious, and highly engaged. The university's commitment to inclusivity and academic excellence has attracted a talented and diverse student population that is poised to make a positive impact on the world.
In 250 words, identify some challenges that face Haven University.
Despite its many strengths, Haven University faces a number of challenges that could impact its ability to achieve its mission and goals.
One major challenge facing Haven University is the issue of affordability. Like many institutions of higher education, Haven University has seen a steady increase in tuition and fees in recent years, making it increasingly difficult for some students to afford a college education. As a result, the university may struggle to attract and retain students from lower-income backgrounds, and may face criticism from some students and families who feel that the cost of attendance is too high [the bot is less confident here than on previous replies; notice the use of “may”].
Another challenge facing Haven University is the need to stay competitive in a rapidly changing higher education landscape. The rise of online education and other alternative learning models has led to increased competition for traditional colleges and universities, and Haven University may need to adapt its programs and offerings in order to stay relevant and attractive to students. [Interestingly, this challenge is addressed assertively with no hedging or qualifying language that we see when it writes about affordability].
Haven University also faces challenges related to diversity and inclusion. While the university is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive campus environment, there may [back to hedging] still be issues related to discrimination and bias that need to be addressed. Additionally, Haven University may [May, which implies the possibility that it does not need to do more. Global competition is an objective challenge but inclusion is a subjective one] need to do more to recruit and retain faculty and staff from diverse backgrounds, in order to ensure that all students feel supported and represented on campus.
Finally, Haven University may face challenges related to funding and resource allocation. As the university continues to grow and expand, it may need to find new sources of funding in order to support its academic and research programs, as well as its commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. Failure to secure adequate funding could lead to a decline in the quality of education and research at the university, and could hinder its ability to achieve its mission and goals.
Write a 250 word profile about the faculty at Haven University.
The faculty at Haven University is comprised of a diverse group of scholars and educators, each with a unique set of skills and experiences that contribute to the university's academic excellence and research achievements.
At Haven University, the faculty is committed to providing students with a challenging and engaging academic experience that prepares them for success in their chosen careers. The faculty is comprised of over 1,500 full-time and part-time professors [on the small side for 30,000 students], with a wide range of academic backgrounds and research interests. Many faculty members hold advanced degrees from some of the world's leading universities, and bring with them a wealth of knowledge and expertise in their respective fields [I guess the implication is that knowledge and experience are best acquired at leading universities].
The faculty at Haven University is known for its commitment to teaching and research excellence, and many faculty members have received prestigious awards and recognition for their work. Faculty members are actively engaged in research and scholarship, with many contributing to groundbreaking discoveries and innovations in their respective fields.
In addition to their research and teaching duties, many faculty members at Haven University are also actively engaged in service to the university and wider community. They serve on committees, mentor students, and contribute to a range of outreach and community engagement programs [Now we get a basic description of academic work, the bot had to figure out what faculty do to answer this question].
Overall, the faculty at Haven University is a dedicated and accomplished group of educators and researchers, committed to providing students with a world-class academic experience and advancing the frontiers of knowledge in their respective fields [back to world class excellence]. Their contributions to the university and wider community are critical to the success of Haven University and its mission to create a better world through education and research.
In 250 words, provide key statistics about Haven University, including, but not limited to, the admission rate for undergraduate students, the average salary for a faculty member at the university, and the rank order of the university’s sources of income. [I wanted to see what details we could get about Haven University since everything before was in generalities.]
Haven University is a highly selective private research university with a reputation for academic excellence and research innovation. Here are some key statistics about the university:
Admission rate for undergraduate students: Haven University has a highly competitive admission process, with an acceptance rate of around 15% [very few institutions in the US are this selective]. This means that the university admits only a small percentage of applicants each year, and students who are accepted tend to have strong academic records and impressive extracurricular achievements [what you need to do to get into a good college!].
Average salary for a faculty member: The average salary for a faculty member at Haven University varies depending on rank and discipline, but is generally competitive with other leading research universities in the United States. According to data from the National Center for Education Statistics, the average salary for full-time instructional faculty at Haven University was $132,300 in the 2020-2021 academic year [Two things, (1) this salary is about right for a full professor at a public research university if this is the average for all faculty we are looking at a rich private, (2) we know for sure that this is a US university for the first time here].
Rank order of sources of income: Haven University relies on a variety of sources of income to support its operations and academic programs. According to the university's financial statements, the primary sources of revenue in recent years have been tuition and fees (which accounted for around 45% of total revenue), followed by grants and contracts (around 25%), investment income (around 20%), and other sources such as gifts and endowment earnings (around 10%) [This breakdown suggests a rich, private university].
Overall, these statistics paint a picture of a highly selective and prestigious university with a strong commitment to academic excellence and research innovation. The university's faculty members are well-compensated for their work, and the institution relies on a diverse array of funding sources to support its mission and goals.
Ok, enough!