So, we have a LOT of people who are complaining about the high costs of education, right? In California alone, the recent protests about education reflect a clear unrest and dissatisfaction with the state of the education system.
On the other hand, we have all of these people with PhD's who can't find jobs. Right?
Right?
I was just wondering about those two facts today. Is ANYONE wondering what I'm wondering? ANYONE?
(out of work professors + students who can't afford education costs [AND students who aren't getting into colleges because of budget cuts*]= ???)
*Added into the equation after Mr Ostman's comment.
On the other hand, we have all of these people with PhD's who can't find jobs. Right?
Right?
I was just wondering about those two facts today. Is ANYONE wondering what I'm wondering? ANYONE?
(out of work professors + students who can't afford education costs [AND students who aren't getting into colleges because of budget cuts*]= ???)
*Added into the equation after Mr Ostman's comment.
9 comments:
= professors teaching for free?
= reducing work-hours for all professors?
Not at all. Is that ALL you could think of? Common Bjorn!
I was thinking of something completely different.
I was thinking more along the lines of finding a way of letting the profs who can't get jobs teach the students who can't get into college...some 20,000 will not be admitted into community colleges in CA this year because of all the cuts. It's too bad we can't find a way to allow profs with no jobs teach students who aren't in classes.
Just an idea. Seems like there are at least some possibilities.
Ya, my dumb equation at the end could have been more clear. You're right...
Well, the cuts are due to lack of funds, so unless the profs will teach for free, them teaching the 20k who can't get into college wold cost money, too, no?
Of course it will cost money. But the people who aren't getting into community colleges this year are willing to pay...they just won't be allowed in because of the cuts. I have some friends out there who are having a hard time getting any classes since the CC system is so clogged. There aren't enough classes for everyone. So maybe there could be a way to have profs teach on a per class basis, and still have that count for the general ed requirements???
I don't know...the fact that there are students who need classes, along with the fact that there are profs who need jobs (and who are probably waiting tables) made me think about this.
As far as the larger budget issues with the UC and State system, I have NO IDEA. I know about all these protests, but I don't know what they are specifically asking for--are they providing any answers, or just asking for something that's impossible??? I went to UC Santa Cruz for my undergrad, so I am pretty familiar with large protest that don't necessarily have alternative answers available. There is often a lot of anger and frustration, but not many alternatives suggested.
"So, we have a LOT of people who are complaining about the high costs of education, right?"
? I don't think this is an accurate statement. This is not merely "complaining". This is "struggling".
I think what "we" have is a struggle to defend public education, which is pretty much under attack. This is also about racial and social discrimination.
Moreover, this is not only about teachers and students in higher education, but this is also about every workers in every sector of public education. This not only about costs, but also about budget cuts, the development of a class of very well paid bureaucrats, privatization, etc, etc.
And this not only about education, but also about much larger policital orientations. As what "we" also have is a country that seems much more willing to finance imperial adventures rather than public education.
Or maybe you would agree with this, and I simply misinterpreted the nuances of the word "complaining".
On the subject, I think this show is interesting :
http://www.democracynow.org/2009/11/17/why_are_we_destroying_public_education
Some news and informations on the movement can be found here : http://studentactivism.net/
and also here : http://occupyca.wordpress.com/
Hey JM,
Or maybe you would agree with this, and I simply misinterpreted the nuances of the word "complaining"
Nah, I could have written this better and been more clear with what I am saying.
I agree with you that there is much more to this than just complaining. This is clearly not the more clearly written post that I have ever written!
There is a lot going on with our education system, and these protests in California reflect this reality. Since I am in the middle of the process, I think about it all the time--and how things could be changed. I do not think that things always have to be as they are.
Thanks for the links. Right now I am mostly interested in seeing what specific changes people want to see, and what alternatives they are advocating.
By the way, some of the most interesting reading I have had lately has been Bourdieu--and especially when he talks about academia, power, and education.
Of course it will cost money. But the people who aren't getting into community colleges this year are willing to pay...they just won't be allowed in because of the cuts.
Oh, now I get it. Sounds like an idea to me.
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