Re: University elitism

P. Myers (mpwr@u.washington.edu)
Sat, 17 Jan 1998 12:04:41 -0800 (PST) 

snipping to just the point I wanted to address, please:

On Sat, 17 Jan 1998, Wandering Bear wrote:
> **********************************************************************
>  Schools do need to be heald accontible for their impact.
> The problem is how.Theres a lot of local power wraped up in these 
> schools.And that "local power" is where the problem is comeing from in 
> the first place.By local power I mean the local corperations who invest 
> in these schools.There main intrest is usually money.They have no care 
> for the poor and homeless.They see them as pests to be gotten rid of.
>  And as to getting an education that counts from a public college or
> University forget it.These form of education is out dated they dont do 
> any of the hands on training that is required in the modern work 
> world.If you want a good education thats worth something youve got to go 
> to a private tech school where they do that kind of training.
>  No all that Universities and collages have become is a 4 year summer 
> camp for the rich kids whove have their live provided for already.
>  So why should they get free grants while their not even willing to give 
> us the right to survive.
> WB

WB, I agree with your assessment about the powers that be, and with your
belief that too few students and faculty will risk involvement...although
I wonder, if the organizing were done over a long-term (several quarters)
and within domains of other marginalized (i.e. students promoting
diversity)...maybe something *could be done to up consciousness, with the
faculty and student population, as well as the next, and very important
group: the business people whose community surrounds the various
Universities and colleges.

What I *really want to respond to, and I understand your frustration,
because I share it every damned day, and have for some 6 years of
fighting for *my education is your last paragraph...that Universities and
Colleges have become havens for the elite who already have the wealth.

I'm as low income as they get...haven't been able to pay rent for several
(ha) months...live in a falling-down, cold, nothing-works shack, too far
from school to stay healthy during a 4 hour round trip commute during the
winter...

I'm on a Working Class Grad Students discussion list, hoping to talk to
others dealing with systems like ours, where one feels ...uncertain about
sharing one's   "social class"...I know at least two homeless students,
and know that they sleep on the grates (where the steam is released?) on
campus...they often nod off in class...I have at least one teacher who
understands, and grades them from a perspective that understands their
situation...

*I receive one grant, yearly (very small...I am under my "needs assessment
by some $1,000, the way they figure it)...the rest are  student loans...

They may bury me on upper campus.  (joke...but we're not all elite or old
money, or even new money, or rich, or have parents at all...but many do.)

respectfully.  PatM 

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