https://socialistaction.org/2017/11/25/wisconsin-superior-students-protest-decision-to-cut-programs/
Wisconsin-Superior students protest plan to cut programs
/ 22 hours ago
Dec. 2017 Wisconsin students
University of Wisconsin-Superior students hold protest signs during Nov.
3 forum about program cuts. The signs read: “We want honesty,” “Stand
with UWS” and “You’ve robbed us.” Bob King / rking@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx
By LUCAS ALAN DIETSCHE
On Oct. 31, the administration of the University of Wisconsin-Superior
decided to give a trick instead of a treat to faculty and students.
Without any warning before making the decision, the administration
decided to cut (they use the word “suspend”) many of its major and minor
programs. At least 25 programs are affected, including political
science, sociology, and theater as majors.
The initial reason that the administration gave for its action was that
students have too many choices and therefore cannot finish their degree.
The administration also claimed that there was low enrollment in many of
the programs.
The last of the forums given by the administration to explain the cuts
included 200 to 300 students, faculty, allies, and alumni voicing strong
concerns about the decision. The opposition yelled, cried, laughed, and
clapped in standing ovations against the administration’s answers.
Theater major Christopher Linder said the decision to suspend the
programs doesn’t fit with what a university’s mission should be.
“Imagine a hospital that only treats popular illnesses,” he said.
“Imagine a church that constantly changed its policies and doctrines to
amass and maintain the largest congregation. … Is education supposed to
be business as usual?”
Chancellor Renee Wachter’s comments at the forum were akin to talking
down to students and allies as if they were naughty children having a
temper tantrum. But nothing that was said by the administration could
soothe the frustration of having the futures of students abruptly destroyed.
Megan McGarvey, a digital cinema major, expressed the view of many
students that they should have had a voice in the process. She told
National Public Radio: “We spend thousands upon thousands of dollars.
I’m going to be in debt at least until I’m in my mid-30s—and that’s only
if I can have a job right after I graduate. … For the choices that we
wanted and had here to be just cut without our acknowledgement, without
our knowledge, I think it’s just disrespectful to the students and the
student body.”
On Nov. 6, students organized a sit-in inside the student union.
Participants wore black and had red squares (akin to the 2012 student
Quebec uprising ) pinned to their clothing. The student union contained
a mélange of students writing letters to community leaders, posting
anti-administration signs, and donating plethora of foodstuffs. And
on-line petition against the cuts was circulated; it gathered over 5000
signatures by Nov. 6.
The next day included a protest in front of the administration building.
One of the provosts marched through the picket line without comment.
The next week, faculty organized a teach-in to discuss campus strategy,
social movements, and college activism. The teach-in was well attended
by many faculty, alumni and students. The faculty senate has been
discussing a vote of no confidence in the chancellor. Many alumni donors
are pulling their money out of the college.
After a month of all these different tactics of fighting back, the
administration has tried to pressure faculty and students to quit their
activism. Many students state that they feel a sense of worthlessness.
Some are organizing to express their opposition at the Chancellor’s Ball.
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November 25, 2017 in Education & Schools, students.
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