The Sociology and Criminal Justice Department organizes the annual Justice Speaker Series.
On Wednesday, November 4, Social Justice activist Marc Bousquet visited campus to educate
students about tuition and everyday struggles they may face. Bousquet is also the author of “How the University Works:
Higher Education and the Low-Wage Nation.” His book focuses on how faculty, staff, graduates and
undergraduates work long hours for minimum pay.
Photo Courtesy of Tonya Lowentritt
The Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice hosted their 10th annual Social Justice Speaker Series and welcomed activist Marc Bousquet on Wednesday, November 4.
Bousquet is an associate professor of film and media at Emory University. He is the author of “How the University Works: Higher Education and the Low-Wage Nation.” This book explains how graduate students, undergraduates, faculty and staff work a lot of hours for little pay.
Whether or not students are paying too much for college tuition is debatable. Bousquet, however, strongly believes that students are paying too much and receiving too little in return.
“I think it is clear that students are giving too much for a return of too little,” said Bousquet. “It’s not just a question of how much you are paying for tuition because certainly you are paying too much in tuition; you are paying too much to support yourself, taking on too much debt and spending far too much time working for low wage.”
Sophomore English major and assistant editor of the Manchac Review Edmund Jenkins enjoyed the presentation by Bousquet and found what he was saying to be relatable to everyone.
“His presentation had a particular relevance to everyone in the auditorium, given the steep increase in fees and tuition we’ve seen over the past few years,” said Jenkins. “I also found a lot of the information he presented enlightening and I imagine many others did as well. For instance, the fact that public universities realize a much greater profit margin (per full-time employee, per annum) than businesses in the private sector was mind-blowing, particularly so, given the fact that most traditional colleges and universities are not for-profit endeavors. As he said, it raises a lot of important questions: ‘Where does the money go?,’ ‘Where should it go?’ ‘Could it be used to offset some of the financial pressures students are (increasingly) facing?’”
Students can miss out on extracurricular activities if they are always working and trying to pay for their tuition. Bousquet values recreational activities and being involved with the university; he thinks it is vital for students to be active and productive within their society.
“I think it is really important to think of students as productive members of society, even when they are engaging in activities we see as recreation,” said Bousquet. “Understand that we value those activities, those gifts of time and talent.”
Building a better future for students is what Bousquet wants to be achieved, but complains that the system is not helping accomplish that goal.
“The system we have now stunts students as people and leaves them behind in so many cases, rather than help them build a better future,” said Bousquet.
For more information, contact the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at 985-549-2110.