WHAT IS THE OBJECTIVE FUNCTION? One of the problems in working out the economics of compensating college presidents is determining what the organizational objectives are. Without that, determining the gains from trade and sharing them with the owners is very difficult. The objectives matter, as a number of commentators who have looked away from the liberation of Iraq and focused on the culture wars in the academy note. India West (who did not have a conference to attend and keyed several thoughtful essays) looks at a longer essay on the goals of the academy. Richard D. Kahlenberg suggests that a convex combination of merit and limited means as criteria for admission produces greater diversity and higher graduation rates than the more usual admission methods under consideration. Jenna Russell files a story in a similar vein. Anybody remember the Fallacy of Insufficient Alternatives. The Superintendent thanks the ever-alert Betsy's Page for these links.