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: