Hunger striking students meet with President over rights of campus workers

Victor Ray

Mon May 18 2009 11:47

A couple of things. First, it is usually only those who are comparatively secure who can see theories of welfare as "abstract." To those workers who are getting wages that may or may not cover their basic necessities, these "theories" are very concrete. Second, if as your moniker indicates you are on the "faculty" in the sciences, it is kind of interesting to call leftist students uneducated. I would think that as part of the faculty it would be in your job description to educate them about the intricacies of balancing budgets. But, as the world economy in is a catastrophic meltdown, maybe the students questioning the budget priorities of the past have things exactly write (or at least closer to correct than the economic orthodoxies that led us into this mess in the first place). Perhaps the entire financial sector would have benefitted from a little advice from "leftists students." They certainly haven't done so well with their rightist advisors. Finally, any institution that places the burdens of financial mismanagement on those who can least afford it is already in "serious trouble."

Mikey Velarde

Sat May 16 2009 13:51

"John '11":

Thank you for sharing your thoughts, although I specifically invited you to direct them towards campus staff.

Your comments, in addition to "Faculty/Sciences," suggest a failure to meaningfully engage with the arguments and ideas we put forth in our efforts.

I also ask that future commentators use their real names and not rest in the comfort of anonymity. "Faculty/Sciences": We had our bodies on the line, the least you can do is be accountable for your words. Do not be a coward and continue hiding behind some pseudonym.

Lastly, if you disagreed with what we did, you could have paid us a visit... The many people who did visit us over the past four days had nothing but good things to tell us and brought with them warmness and generosity -- a few things sorely lacking on this campus.

Alexandra '10

Sat May 16 2009 13:50

but you don't seem to understand that everything comes out of the same pot of money. to give compensation to staff, or to fund a particular event, or to hire another professor, all of those things come from essentially the same (admittedly complex) pile of money. so we MUST make choices between those many things that we as an institution want. worker security should not be higher on that priorities list than academic excellence, high levels of financial aid spending, and high selectivity. sometimes we need to look at money above all else. this is certainly of of those eras.

Adalake Barnwell

Sat May 16 2009 13:28

Not one person has proposed that faculty positions be cut in order to provide positions for workers. It is, in fact, laughable to propose that the budgetary choices being discussed here would have any impact whatsoever on the overall quality of the Vassar education. I also find it troubling that a member of our faculty proposes decisions based on numbers without reference to abstract theories. If the college's approach to this crisis has taught us anything, it is that Vassar is not much of a intellectual "community." This comment implies that some do not even care that it be intellectual!

John '11

Sat May 16 2009 13:03

Mikey, here's how I feel about them: they serve at the pleasure of the college, just like any employee serves at the pleasure of their employer. Do they enhance our community with the work they do? Of course, that's why we hired them. But in an economic crisis when the college needs to spend less money, we have to consider the relative merit of their work compared to the contributions of other staff and faculty. I benefit more from a professor than from a cashier. Period. I would rather have a school with no cashiers and lots of professors, lots of financial aid, and working dormitories than a school with happy "secure" workers. As a student, Mikey, you are doing a disservice to future Vassar students by asking the college to direct its money away from its academic mission. Our job is to be an elite private liberal arts college and deliver an excellent education. Our job is not to make workers happy. And I haven't met a single student outside of your small group who disagrees that students' interests should come first.

Mikey Velarde

Sat May 16 2009 12:30

"2011":

I don't object to your McCarthyite description of us, even though it's incorrect. I do, however, find fault in your ignorance, audacity, and cowardice. Please, do me a favor: The next time you interact with someone who works at ACDC, for instance, tell them how you really feel about the work they do.

anon

Sat May 16 2009 12:12

@ 2011: even if you do not agree with either the tactics, demands or ideological position of the "fringe group of radical socialists" - their actions raise questions that we should all be considering. These include, among others: how the financial crisis effects different groups? what is the relationship between various populations (staff, faculty, students, administrators etc) at Vassar, a college that likes to think of itself as a community and family. What is the responsibility of Vassar as an institution to those who work here?

Faculty/Sciences

Sat May 16 2009 12:10

But not as many workers as we do, Victor. Vassar has too much staff compared to comparably sized schools. It was too high before the recession and we certainly cannot sustain these levels after the recession. We need to trim both faculty and staff because of that. And if we start taking advice from leftist students who are uneducated about balancing budgets, then this institution will be in serious trouble. We need to make decisions based on numbers, not abstract theories of welfare.

Victor Ray

Sat May 16 2009 11:51

Dear 2011, Vassar must pay workers in order to educate students.

2011

Sat May 16 2009 10:25

i really hope people realize that these are a fringe group of radical socialists who believe that vassar's first objective should be to pay workers rather than educate students.