Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/63429
From Editors the The Only Constant In times like these, it's easy to rely on that age-worn cliché: "In life, change is the only constant." In fact, in recent years the statement has enjoyed a resurgent popularity among tech- nologists, business gurus, and trendspotters—they use it almost in frustration, as if to say, "We simply can't keep up." In fact, the cliché often inspires a sense of helplessness; it implies that change happens around us, not because of us. Change, however, is often a matter of choice, not chance, especially where education is concerned. It's true that at one time tech- nology threatened to sweep away traditional methods of education; however, as we found in our article "The E-Learning Equation," business schools are becoming active participants in the era of e-learning, shaping its develop- ment to suit their needs in the next decade and beyond. In doing so, educational institutions improve on tradition, without erasing it. Other changes, too, are a matter of choice. The number of women on held this April in Chicago, says she knows that efforts to attract more women to the faculty and administration at business schools are finding success. "I know more women are coming to business school," she said, "because there's a longer line for the women's rest room." Once business schools reach 50-50 gender parity, they may have another less business school rosters still lags significantly behind the number of men. It's a situation that could pose problems for schools, at a time corpora- tions are realizing that the contributions women make to the world of business is too valuable to be overlooked. Some of the women leaders in education we interviewed for "Educating Women" have been affected by the gender gap; others made their way in spite of those who believed they weren't up to the challenge. Changing that perception may lie in the power of numbers, as business, business schools, and associations make the choice to take necessary steps to solve a complex problem. Because of their efforts, change is already taking place. In fact, one pro- fessor whom we met at the recent AACSB International Annual Meeting, pressing task to face: adding more women's rest rooms to campus. Until then, more imperative challenges—and changes—await. Change may be constant, but manage- ment educators can definitely choose how to change. Shaping the field to best suit their needs remains their greatest challenge. In such change comes innovation, progress, and, perhaps thankfully for women, a longer line. s z 4 BizEd JULY/AUGUST 2002 BILL BASCOM