UNM degrees enter realm of nonsensical
“I WOULD LIKE to suggest that the proposed College for Social Transformation at UNM be named instead the College of Academically Marginal and Outright Nonsensical Programs.”
RICHARD M. BERTHOLD
Help current, not bogus, UNM programs
“WOULDN’T OUR tax dollars be better spent on existing colleges at UNM — especially teacher prep — than on the new “College for Social Transformation” with all of its bogus degrees? Also, how are kids with degrees in African, Chicano, peace, women, etc., studies going to pay off their student loans?”
BOB MARTIN
These are reader comments related to an Albuquerque Journal article concerning a proposed College of Social Transformation at UNM. These opinions seem to indicate that any program at UNM that studies cultural or liberal arts is worthless and pointless. The new College (CST) is not proposing anything new. Almost every other university in the U.S. recognizes the importance of programs like Chicano/a Studies, Africana Studies, Women’s Studies, Asian Studies, Peace Studies, Sustainability Studies, and other such programs. They give these programs control over faculty hiring, budgets, and curriculum. UNM is one of the few that does not recognize these departments as important. Although these programs exist, they are separated into different colleges and have very little power. They are controlled by other College’s and are treated as “stepchildren” in those College’s. They are not taken seriously. Please take the time to support the CST movement by writing letters to the editor, letters to UNM president Frank, and letters of support to your representatives. Join us on Facebook at UNM College for Social Transformation.
Here is the recap of the first community meeting at UNM:
Burque's Daily Loco 
Thanks, John, for helping to publicize the idea of the College for Social Transformation. UNM and every other university in the country has an enormous business school teaching how to sell more stuff; yet what our country needs is more organizing and many more organizers trained in history, sociology, economics, and especially the historical tradition of mass movements.
Mark,
I completely agree with you. I think that the U.S. has lost sight of the true meaning of education. A college student should attend a university with the intention of making a better society. The university needs to teach the students about society and how each person is responsible for that society. For some reason we focus on individualism and wonder why we have so many social problems.
Students should not go to college only to be trained as “soldiers for corporations.” The mainstream seems to be brainwashed into fulfilling the employment needs of big business (i.e. the Koch Brothers). The U.S. saddles students with debt to ensure that they do not get involved in social issues and organizing. They are afraid of the youth organizing. Your generation is a perfect example of the potential power of such a mass movement.
The system is designed to scare students away from history, sociology and mass movements. Students question, “What am I going to with a degree like that?” or “How will I pay off my student loans?”
Unfortunately they grew up in a society that puts the “i” first, and everybody else second. Hopefully we can ignite some sort of spark in the next few years. I really like the idea of a “debt strike.” That would bring the institution to its knees. If we could convince students (and others) that they have the power to control corporations with their wallets, we could dictate policy. The is a dream and will be very difficult to achieve.
Thanks!
Wish this had been a program offered in the 80s when I was at UNM. I believe this was what I couldn’t find.
Davetta,
Thank you so much for the reply. I have heard many current college students say the same thing. They crave a more meaningful education. Please support this College by spreading the word. It may be late for us… But we can change the world for future students. I hope you enjoy the Daily Loco and keep coming back. I look forward to any other input that you have. We are going to have new authors starting soon. Happy holidays! Stay loco!