tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7187403837913738089.post252869100015006251..comments2023-12-15T02:26:43.878-06:00Comments on CSU Faculty Voice: Governance vs "Service"Phillip Beverlyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05105319296231539370noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7187403837913738089.post-3259816043153996182012-04-05T10:07:28.641-05:002012-04-05T10:07:28.641-05:00On the issue of a debate between the union candida...On the issue of a debate between the union candidates:<br /><br />I have read their statements, and neither addressed the problmes students face, problems that affect us as faculty. These come of two sorts: Secondarily there are problems of incompetence, poor organization, poor communication, and lack of professionalism from the administration that make it hard for students to navigate through the paperwork, financial aid, etc. to work toward graduation. Primarily, there are the myriad problems our students face because of being black (or latino) and working class on the South Side of Chicago: murders of their friends, premature death of family members, loss of or insecure housing, illness, overwork on their jobs or arbitrary treatment by management, stolen vehicles, demands on their time from their families, assaults from street thugs while walking to school, and many others. All of the specific problems just mentioned have affected my students this semester in ONE CLASS OF TWELVE STUDENTS. Part of what it means to teach here is to work in the context of these problems. The union should be about addressing some of these effects of racism.<br /><br />The candidates should address how they would empower faculty to become more active in the union, to make it a source of faculty activism.<br /><br />The candidates should address how the union could be more active against racial injustices and other injustices against the working class in Chicago.<br /><br />Many of the problems we experience as teachers are the result of the instability capitalism has created for students and the gutting of education to focus resources on imperialism wars. The candidates should address their views about whether the union can tackle such national and international issues.Paul Gomberghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10532991282987477464noreply@blogger.com