Week 4 - Sushil Ravoori Section A02

After reading Fredik DeBoer’s article “Why We Should Fear University Inc.”, I realized that much of what he discussed applies directly to us students at UC Davis as well. The main result of this corporatization of universities is a primary shift in the goals of the university, from providing a high quality education and research program to students and professors, to making money for university administrators. An example of this at UC Davis is the increasing amount of money being spent on building more and more dorms, rather than improving facilities for current students. Rather than invest in improved study spaces or classrooms and facilities for students, UC Davis is spending millions of dollars building new dorms, so that they can admit more students. In fact, every year, the university admits more and more students, resulting in much more strain on campus facilities such as parking, transportation, and common study areas, but more money for the university. It seems plain to see that the focus of the university is no longer on providing the highest quality of education and facilities possible for its students, but now to admit as many students as possible, and to charge each student as much as possible. While the university administrators make more and more money each year, the students and professors have access to a lower quality of education, and lower usability in facilities. As DeBoer says “Instead, both sides seem to be gradually marginalized in favor of the growing managerial class that dominates so many campuses.” I definitely agree with the author’s point that student activists need to distance themselves from the administration in hope of change.

References:

1. DeBoer, F. (2015, September 9). Why We Should Fear University, Inc.. The New York Times Magazine. Retrieved October 15, 2017.

2. [Digital Image] Retrieved October 15, 2017. https://psmag.com/economics/pay-for-decent-teachers-not-dr-phil