Either these schools are about undergraduate education or they aren't.
They aren't. When has this ever been a question? That doesn't change the fact that starry-eyed undegrads want to bask in the light of famous members of their field.
Imagine Feynman was still teaching, but was terrible at it. Would that stop countless people scrambling to get into the university he teaches at, simply to get exposure to his prowess and dream of working in his lab?
Research universities are a natural place for undergraduates. It's a symbiotic relationship. The University has use for willing young minds and hands, and willing young minds flock to the places where the knowledge is.
P.S. Don't forget star professors are often stars because of how much funding they bring to the university. It's not like undergrads are bearing the brunt of funding their laboratories.
They aren't. When has this ever been a question? That doesn't change the fact that starry-eyed undegrads want to bask in the light of famous members of their field.
Imagine Feynman was still teaching, but was terrible at it. Would that stop countless people scrambling to get into the university he teaches at, simply to get exposure to his prowess and dream of working in his lab?
Research universities are a natural place for undergraduates. It's a symbiotic relationship. The University has use for willing young minds and hands, and willing young minds flock to the places where the knowledge is.
P.S. Don't forget star professors are often stars because of how much funding they bring to the university. It's not like undergrads are bearing the brunt of funding their laboratories.