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.
__________________________________________
_____
xmca mailing list
xmca@weber.ucsd.edu
http://dss.ucsd.edu/mailman/listinfo/xmca
__________________________________________
_____
xmca mailing list
xmca@weber.ucsd.edu
http://dss.ucsd.edu/mailman/listinfo/xmca