Labor Studies and the Corporate University

By Chris Morrill (from UMassMedia.com)

There's nothing quite like the Labor Studies program at UMass Boston. It's more than just the only Labor Studies B.A. in New England. Labor students have an opportunity to be treated as equals by sharing their experiences and knowledge, not just be told the “right answer”. The most age- and race-diverse classes I've had have been in Labor Studies.

The closing of the Labor Studies program is not only a tragedy for students in the program like me, but also for anyone who worries about paying their tuition bill or who loves rich, cooperative learning. Taking a stand for Labor Studies is to take a stand for the best parts of UMass Boston.

This kind of learning is becoming increasingly extinct at UMass Boston, slowly killed off by the corporate model for education. The soul of learning at UMass has been torn apart by the “free market”.