Quote:
Originally Posted by dykeumentary
One aspect that I find complex is the question of whether schools "should" be run as if they are corporations. CEOs get to make decisions that effect their employees without consulting their employees, but is that what we can expect from education? CEOs get to use a budget as a justification for any change, but can we hold the academy to a higher standard? And this brings up the uncomfortable issues of whether a unit of the university that is critical of US capitalism (chattel slavery was a great way to keep labor costs down).... Would there be a reason for parties interested in consolidating their historical power to disempower a unit of the university that challenges white power?
It just all seems very suspicious. And that's just one aspect.
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As I said, I agree there should have been serious discussion with those affected directly by the decision. It would have gone a long way towards having trust in the decision.
I also must point out that trying to balance a budget that is shrinking......happening in all levels of public and private education........is not (in my mind) running a school like a cold-hearted corporation. It's trying to keep the school running.
If the Provost was really interested in dis-empowering this particular group, he would have simply de-funded the Center. That would be running it like a business.
I also highly doubt this is the only group at Cornell that is critical of US capitalism and white privilege. Has the Provost moved on those other groups?
Just for the hell of it I went to the Cornell website and poked around. I just don't see this as a move to shut of black folks. Cornell is focused on education for everyone and it's strategic plan maintains the schools focus on multi-culturalism.
I just think this was a truly fucked up process on the part of the Provost. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
The true holocaust in this country is what was and still is being done to our indigenious, first nation, native peoples.