Jonathan Cole, former provost of Columbia University, presented a history of the American university.  He reported on American higher education's beginnings, which included public funding and little interference from the state to what the author deems are it's current fiscal and ideological issues.  Jonathan Cole was joined in discussion with Richard Axel, professor of biochemistry and molecular biophysics and of pathology, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, Geoff Stone, provost emeritus, University of Chicago, and Matthew Goldstein, chancellor of The City University of New York at Columbia University in New York City.