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Re: [xmca] RE: The Social Creation of Inequality



Don Bremme, Andy. We aren't formal around here (-;

It is not surprising that the weather in Whittier is like that around San
Diego, it is
just up the freeway. It is my suspicion that the pattern we are picking up
has a
distinct and identifiable odor.

Where is this pattern NOT evident? That could be informative to think about.
mike

On Sun, Jul 24, 2011 at 9:40 AM, Andy Blunden <ablunden@mira.net> wrote:

> Nice to meet you Bremme. I follow with great interest the ingenuity of 5thD
> organisers in keeping their project alive and sustainable. You story
> deserves a great deal of reflection. Congratulations and no thanks to
> capitalism.
>
> Andy
>
>
> Bremme Don wrote:
>
>> Mike,
>>
>> Your summary and critique of the situation (UC classes, private tutoring
>> job announcement) is right on, but deeply saddening.
>> I wonder if events here at Whittier College might demonstrate a variation
>> on the same dynamics your posting highlights?   As you know, Whittier is a
>> small (1500  enrollment), private liberal arts college, one with a small
>> endowment,  one challenged in the current economic environment.  I've run a
>> Fifth Dimension site here since 1993.  Over the years, college personnel
>> have routinely spoken about what a great thing the Fifth Dimension is: in
>> line with Whittier's Quaker heritage and secular Quaker values, providing a
>> valuable service to underserved kids in the community and valued educational
>> experience for Whittier students.  The President has cited it on numerous
>> public occasions as illustrating "the Whittier way", e.g., in commencement
>> addresses, convocations, and so on.  The Fifth Dimension, however, has been
>> supported solely through grants for a local foundation throughout its 18
>> years, grants developed solely by individual faculty and secured as a result
>> of individual faculty relationships with the small, local foundation.  Aside
>> from minimal indirect costs (e.g., some small portion of my office phone
>> bill), the college has contributed not a dime, directly or indirectly, to
>> the program.  In fact, the college administration has several times, when
>> asked, declined to provide even very small amounts of support to help
>> sustain the Fifth Dimension.
>> Nevertheless,  based upon the existence of the Fifth Dimension and one
>> other faculty project funded exclusively by the same foundation, Whittier
>> last year formally established the "Center for Engagement with Communities,"
>>  advertising that it's purpose was to bring under one organizational roof
>> and faculty/course outreach efforts and to promote the extension of such
>> efforts.  While this might be taken as instantiating institutional values,
>> the center was created explicitly as a vehicle for capturing additional
>> grants.  The center exists only in name, on paper.  The college has invested
>> literally nothing in it.  The local foundation's funding for Fifth Dimension
>> and one other faculty project are simply said to be "under" the center.  But
>> the stated hope of college administrators and the advancement office is
>> that, with money for service learning "out there,"  having "a center" will
>> increase Whittier's credibility as an institution committed to community
>> engagement and (thus) its competitiveness for further extramural grants.
>>  Thus, it seems that equality, social justice, (as well as educational value
>> for undergraduates) take a back seat in a machine driven by dollars.  Can it
>> ever be otherwise in a capitalist society?
>>
>> Just some thoughts from a long-time Xmca lurker,
>>
>> Don Bremme
>> Professor, Department of Education and Child Development
>> Whittier College
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: xmca-bounces@weber.ucsd.edu on behalf of mike cole
>> Sent: Fri 7/22/2011 10:45 AM
>> To: eXtended Mind, Culture,Activity
>> Cc: Laboratory of Comparative Human Cognition Internal List; Bud Mehan
>> Subject: [xmca] RE: The Social Creation of Inequality
>>  Dear Colleagues-
>> As you know, LCHC has a long time interest in the study of diversity and
>> inequality.
>> Current events appear to be revealing a lot about how inequalities are
>> created because the mechanisms lie on the surface in understandable
>> chunks.
>>
>> The text below is an ad from a private tutoring company aimed at UCSD
>> students. These students have faced terrible increases in fees at our
>> once-public university. They really need money. And they will be terrific
>> if
>> they take these jobs. I know, because when they engage in theory-practice
>> classes with me, they do a wonderful job
>> not only in being with the young people, but in learning to think
>> critically
>> about the conditions that create the need for such tutoring in the first
>> place. For example, the areas of San Diego identified to tutoring are in
>> areas where people who have the resources to supplement local schooling on
>> their own live. They can pay for it. Not a matter for civic society- its
>> business.
>>
>> Meantime, the courses that I have taught for many years are dying at UCSD.
>> They are inefficient by the business model that brings in out of state
>> students at 35,000$ a year in place of local students who pay 12K+ and are
>> up for scholarships because that is a hardship. They are measurably
>> wonderful for a huge range of students. But except where mandated (as in
>> teacher ed), they are an endangered species.
>>
>> No need of weathermen here in beautiful san diego. Mild blue skys and a
>> gentle sea breeze.
>> mike
>> Tutoring in Your Home, LLC began in Columbus, Ohio, and is starting a
>> branch
>> in San Diego.  We are looking to hire qualified tutors for the areas of
>> Pacific Beach, University City, and La Jolla.  Results in Ohio have shown
>> that motivated undergraduates have the best success with their pupils,
>> especially in the mathematics.  If you know of any students at UCSD that
>> would be interested in picking up about 5-15 hours a week to tutor grades
>> K-College, please pass this email along to them. We aim to have at least
>> six
>> tutors available to start the commencement of this school year. (See
>> specifics below in the ads that will soon be placed on Craigslist.)
>>
>> If you or they have any questions, please feel free to call me at
>> 614-506-8825 (c) or 858-550-4060 (h).  I worked for Tutoring in Your Home
>> for a couple of years after completing my undergraduate degree and before
>> moving to San Diego. I can speak to their great reputation.  I'm available
>> most days between 6:30 am and 9:30 pm.  I'm also happy to meet any
>> prospective tutors at coffee shops or the like in the UTC / campus area.
>>
>> Resumes and (2) letters of recommendation can be sent to
>> kerritiyh@gmail.com
>> .
>>
>> Thank you,
>>
>> -Kerri Fullam
>> Director, TIYH San Diego
>>
>>
>>
>> Following positions available:
>>
>>
>> Tutoring In Your Home, LLC, is currently searching for part-time tutors to
>> cover all subjects K-College in the La Jolla, Pacific Beach, and
>> University
>> City areas. Qualified candidates enjoy flexible scheduling, excellent pay,
>> and work with a supportive staff. Bachelor's degree preferred, though
>> outstanding undergraduate applicants will be considered. For more
>> information visit our website at www.tutoringinyourhome.com or call the
>> area
>> director at 614-506-8825.
>>
>>
>>
>> Tutoring In Your Home, LLC is currently looking for a Special Education
>> Tutor near La Jolla, Pacific Beach, or University City to fill an
>> immediate
>> opening. Our tutors enjoy flexible scheduling, a supportive staff and very
>> competitive compensation. Please call (614)506-8825 if interested.
>>
>>
>>
>> Tutoring In Your Home, LLC is currently looking for elementary math and
>> reading tutors in the La Jolla, Pacific Beach, and University City areas.
>> Ideal candidates will have a bachelor's or higher and experience tutoring
>> math and/or reading. However, outstanding undergraduate applicants will be
>> considered. The candidate will be able to commit up to 6 hrs a week and up
>> to one year of service. We offer flexible scheduling and competitive pay.
>> Candidates may respond via email or by phone at (614) 506-8825.
>>
>>
>>
>> Tutoring In Your Home, LLC is currently looking for an elementary math and
>> reading for the La Jolla, Pacific Beach, and University City areas. The
>> ideal candidate will have at least a BA in Elementary Education, and
>> experience tutoring math and/or reading. The candidate will be able to
>> commit to 7-10 hours per week over the course of at least the upcoming
>> school year. Candidates may respond via email or by phone at
>> (614)506-8825.
>>
>>
>>
>> Tutoring In Your Home, LLC, is currently searching for part-time tutors
>> for
>> all subjects K-College in La Jolla, Pacific Beach, and University City.
>> Those interested in tutoring reading, math (K-12), and science are
>> especially encouraged to apply. Qualified candidates enjoy flexible
>> scheduling, excellent pay, and work with a supportive staff. Bachelor's
>> degree preferred and outstanding undergraduate applicants will be
>> considered. Tutoring experience preferred, though interested professionals
>> outside the field of education are encouraged to apply. For more
>> information
>> visit our website at www.tutoringinyourhome.com or contact us at
>> (614)506-8825.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Tutoring In Your Home, LLC is looking for a math tutor in La Jolla,
>> Pacific
>> Beach, and University City. Our tutors work the hours they have available
>> and are afforded excellent pay, flexible scheduling, and a rewarding
>> part-time career. Call (614)506-8825 or email kerritiyh@gmail.com for
>> more
>> information.
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>>
>>
>>
>
> --
> ------------------------------**------------------------------**
> ------------
> *Andy Blunden*
> Joint Editor MCA: http://www.informaworld.com/**smpp/title~db=all~content=
> **g932564744<http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/title%7Edb=all%7Econtent=g932564744>
> Home Page: http://home.mira.net/~andy/
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