Writing of any kind is challenging. It can’t be forced. Whether the end result is a song anchoring a multi-platinum album, an “A” college paper, an article, or a successful business plan, sometimes you just have to grind away and hope the right words show up at the right time. Certainly, artificial intelligence offers shortcuts. It helps alleviate writer’s block, and even generates entire texts instantly. But there’s value in working out thoughts keystroke by keystroke, or letter by letter with pen and paper, just to be sure you really mean what you think you mean.

When ideas conflict with one another the destination can seem like a West Desert mirage, forever receding. I can relate to Angus: the op-ed you’re reading right now resisted completion. I’ve been drafting and revising for more than a week, chewing up my weekends. 3,000 words. 4,000 words. 5,000 words. All for an op-ed that can be only 750 words! I tried going to the restroom to channel my inner Angus, but with limited results.

When I started writing this, it seemed important to focus on the political fallout of the campus shooting two weeks ago in Orem. The news articles piled up and it seemed unlikely I could contribute any fresh insights. But the shooting put universities in the spotlight again, which led me to think a good word for universities might be necessary. These institutions are the places to share ideas, despite relentless criticism over the last few years.

The fact is, Utah universities provide students with top-notch affordable educations on beautiful, well-managed campuses. They are staffed by people committed to lifting up others. University work is altruistic. We all try to do what’s best for students.

But in the spirit of being a university and considering different points of view, we must also take the criticism of universities seriously. If we need to examine our objectives and goals, we should do so. Considering multiple perspectives is at the heart of our mission.

I do hope people realize Weber State University’s commitment to new ideas and recognize the effort it takes to engage students with them. We’re constantly adapting to and implementing new ideas. For example, years ago the Automotive Technology program recognized that hybrid and electric cars were part of the future and added them to student training. Today, though EVs have been politicized by the right and the left, it’s essential to keep that training on the road, so to speak.

In another realm, the English Department realized that students want to question traditional ways to interpret literature. Are there controversial ideas in there? For sure. Will all stand the test of time? No. But what’s the point of an education without having one’s ideas challenged? It would be like a coach who always says you’re playing great. Or a teacher praising poor-quality work.

Open-admissions universities like WSU serve multiple constituencies. Some students want a direct pathway to a job. We offer that: accounting, nursing, welding, social work. These are just a few examples. Other students want to explore philosophy or fine arts. Such degrees set up students for long-term success. It’s a process. Immediately finding a job after graduation with “philosophy” in the job description is like expecting a young person who attends a series of dances to walk away with a marriage proposal.

Educations that emphasize exploring, examining, and creating give graduates confidence they will find their way. Their success can’t be measured by job placement rates.

Or by how long it takes a much-older graduate to settle on a topic for an op-ed, 40 years out of college.

Hal Crimmel is a Brady Presidential Distinguished Professor of English who served for nine years as chair of the English department at Weber State University. This commentary is provided through a partnership with Weber State. The views expressed by the author do not necessarily represent the institutional values or positions of the university.