UnderseaLcpl
02-19-10, 06:23 AM
The following is a perfect example of why I have yet to complete a semester of college. It is a reply to my course planner that I submitted after she disapproved of my essay where I said that I only wanted a degree to get a job and that Empire State College was an institution that sold education.
Everyone I've showed it to thus far thought it was pretty funny, but I'd like the opinions of my well-respected and often very insightful colleagues at subsim.
What do you think? Did I go overboard, or is my annoyance justified?
Thank you for taking the time to compose such a thorough response, Prof. Daly. I'm pleased to hear that you enjoyed what I wrote and I hope that it was a welcome break from what you usually get. ; ) I figured it might at least make for some interesting discussion in the staff room (assuming you have such a thing. You could be working from home for all I know), but again, I'm glad you enjoyed it. If you'll indulge me I'd like to take a moment to address your counterpoints, and I hope that they will also provide you with a little enjoyment- even if it's just to wonder what the heck this girl is on about. I'll be taking quotations from your response and answering them individually if that is okay.
"First, what evidence do you have that the State University of New York's Empire State College is a for-profit organization?"
What evidence do you have that it is not? It all depends upon how you define "for-profit organization". Sure, Empire State may not cost me sales taxes on top of tuition, but does that really make it a non-profit organization in anything other than the legal sense?
Based upon what little I know of you I think that you have a love of teaching. I may be wrong, but that's why you go to work every day, is it not? However, also you go to work because you're getting paid for it, which is the same reason why I go to work, whether I love my job or not. I see no functional difference.
"Why would staff be taking time when their course loads are increasing to contact their state legislators asking that funding be maintained? How much in tuition and fees would you pay for a semester at other colleges you looked into?"
To answer your first question I would have to ask another question. Why do Amtrak employees take time to lobby state and national legislators for funding? I'll also have to ask another question, how is that any different from what for-profit organizations do all the time? Your organization, which provides education, which is good, lobbies for public funding. Con-Agra, which is a multi-billion dollar firm that provides food, which is good, also lobbies for public funding. Again, I fail to see the difference. Everyone who can do so effectively contacts state legislators for "free" stuff. At what point does that get noble?
"Second, unlike consumer goods, students are not buying anything at Empire State College."
Oh, yes they are. They are paying for instruction from people like yourself. The fact that their own work has something to do with what they ultimately end up with has nothing to do with it. People also pay for consumer goods that require some assembly, and again, I fail to see the difference.
"Notice that I did not go through your transcripts saying "you can use this in your program, and we won't accept this and that." Each degree program here is individualized."
Actually, I didn't notice that, and I can't imagine what sort of educational system would have a system like that, unless it was a very accredited and therefore exclusive educational institution. Simultaneously, I am quite pleased with the fact that each degree program is individualized. I would expect nothing less from a cost-effective educational organization that is selling higher learning.
The assessment committee that considers proposed degree programs for approval happily accepts the answer to "why are you here" if it is "I need a degree to get moving in the world of work".
Does it? You have my answer then; I need a degree to get moving in the world of work. Where's my excellent grade and why is this a question?
"Have no fear -- you will not be graded on this assignment."
Then why am I doing it?
"Notice on the course bulletin board that I grade assignments in this course 2, 1, and 0, until the final verison of the essay and degree program are ready to submit."
What you mean to say is that I am not being graded right now.
"The return you get on your very good investment in Empire State College depends entirely on the time, effort, and energy you, on your own, put into your studies. Unlike in the stock market (thank goodness), we are not managing your capital. You, and all studente everywhere, manage your intellectual capital yourself. We are here as guides as you design your degree program, and as you complete your studies."
Yes, that's totally unlike the stock market. Stock investors hire brokers to manage their portfolios on the basis of whether or not they think they will recieve positive returns. Students, on the other hand, hire teachers and educational institutions to accomplish.... what, I wonder. The self-satisfaction of being educated? The learning of factual minutiae that can be used to break the ice at dinner parties? How is that even unlike a regular job?
I have invested in an education at Empire State because I believe that a certified education from this institution will help me professionally at a cost I can afford. That's it. That does not make me a bad person; I want to set up a horse rescue for God's sake. And you're going to what.....fail me for not writing a comprehensive essay about why I want an education in a format you consider acceptable?
"I hope this helps. I don't know whether I should say I'm looking forward to your module 3 assignment, or not. :-)"
You might as well look forward to it. It will be the same kind of cookie-cutter rainbow-unicorn garbage you usually see if you insist upon it. Here's what you can expect; something-something broaden horizons, advance professionally-blah blah blah, but I'll make it sound good. I have told you how I really think, but it might at least be good for a laugh.
"If you want to use these paragraphs as the introduction to your ratioanle essay, nothing bad will happen. Honest. We like honesty around here. If it is respectful and, if a student can manage it, humorous. "
There is absolutley no chance of me using those paragraphs as an introduction or even a part of any final essay. I never use rough drafts because it is is easier (and more fun!) for me to just re-type the whole thing. Editing a rough draft seems like a waste of time to me. Why fix something that is broken when you can build it more perfectly the next time?
As far as respect and humour goes I can only offer you what I have already. I respect your title and position, and I'm pretty sure that if I knew you personally I would respect your person. I may challenge your professional views, but I only do so to gain perspective, not to insult your dignity. We are all here to learn, are we not? Is that not the purpose of an educational institution? That is why I challenge the purpose of this assignment, and the means by which I am graded on it. It could well be that I'm wrong about why students are asked to posit essays about why they are attending college, but it could also be that I'm right and we might both learn from examining the question.
In any case, you are my teacher and I am your pupil. I'll jump through whatever hoops you want(or are required by your superiors) to get my accredited piece of paper. Most of your other students are doing the same thing, even though they don't admit it. The whole idea is rather like the BS people put on resumes. Nobody works at Sears because their life aspiration is to have a rewarding career in retail, but they'll put that trash on their resume to get the job. The same concept applies here.
Your call, Professor. Would you rather pass me now, engage in a continuance of this discussion, or have me write an essay that is in no way about why I want to pursue a degree?
Everyone I've showed it to thus far thought it was pretty funny, but I'd like the opinions of my well-respected and often very insightful colleagues at subsim.
What do you think? Did I go overboard, or is my annoyance justified?
Thank you for taking the time to compose such a thorough response, Prof. Daly. I'm pleased to hear that you enjoyed what I wrote and I hope that it was a welcome break from what you usually get. ; ) I figured it might at least make for some interesting discussion in the staff room (assuming you have such a thing. You could be working from home for all I know), but again, I'm glad you enjoyed it. If you'll indulge me I'd like to take a moment to address your counterpoints, and I hope that they will also provide you with a little enjoyment- even if it's just to wonder what the heck this girl is on about. I'll be taking quotations from your response and answering them individually if that is okay.
"First, what evidence do you have that the State University of New York's Empire State College is a for-profit organization?"
What evidence do you have that it is not? It all depends upon how you define "for-profit organization". Sure, Empire State may not cost me sales taxes on top of tuition, but does that really make it a non-profit organization in anything other than the legal sense?
Based upon what little I know of you I think that you have a love of teaching. I may be wrong, but that's why you go to work every day, is it not? However, also you go to work because you're getting paid for it, which is the same reason why I go to work, whether I love my job or not. I see no functional difference.
"Why would staff be taking time when their course loads are increasing to contact their state legislators asking that funding be maintained? How much in tuition and fees would you pay for a semester at other colleges you looked into?"
To answer your first question I would have to ask another question. Why do Amtrak employees take time to lobby state and national legislators for funding? I'll also have to ask another question, how is that any different from what for-profit organizations do all the time? Your organization, which provides education, which is good, lobbies for public funding. Con-Agra, which is a multi-billion dollar firm that provides food, which is good, also lobbies for public funding. Again, I fail to see the difference. Everyone who can do so effectively contacts state legislators for "free" stuff. At what point does that get noble?
"Second, unlike consumer goods, students are not buying anything at Empire State College."
Oh, yes they are. They are paying for instruction from people like yourself. The fact that their own work has something to do with what they ultimately end up with has nothing to do with it. People also pay for consumer goods that require some assembly, and again, I fail to see the difference.
"Notice that I did not go through your transcripts saying "you can use this in your program, and we won't accept this and that." Each degree program here is individualized."
Actually, I didn't notice that, and I can't imagine what sort of educational system would have a system like that, unless it was a very accredited and therefore exclusive educational institution. Simultaneously, I am quite pleased with the fact that each degree program is individualized. I would expect nothing less from a cost-effective educational organization that is selling higher learning.
The assessment committee that considers proposed degree programs for approval happily accepts the answer to "why are you here" if it is "I need a degree to get moving in the world of work".
Does it? You have my answer then; I need a degree to get moving in the world of work. Where's my excellent grade and why is this a question?
"Have no fear -- you will not be graded on this assignment."
Then why am I doing it?
"Notice on the course bulletin board that I grade assignments in this course 2, 1, and 0, until the final verison of the essay and degree program are ready to submit."
What you mean to say is that I am not being graded right now.
"The return you get on your very good investment in Empire State College depends entirely on the time, effort, and energy you, on your own, put into your studies. Unlike in the stock market (thank goodness), we are not managing your capital. You, and all studente everywhere, manage your intellectual capital yourself. We are here as guides as you design your degree program, and as you complete your studies."
Yes, that's totally unlike the stock market. Stock investors hire brokers to manage their portfolios on the basis of whether or not they think they will recieve positive returns. Students, on the other hand, hire teachers and educational institutions to accomplish.... what, I wonder. The self-satisfaction of being educated? The learning of factual minutiae that can be used to break the ice at dinner parties? How is that even unlike a regular job?
I have invested in an education at Empire State because I believe that a certified education from this institution will help me professionally at a cost I can afford. That's it. That does not make me a bad person; I want to set up a horse rescue for God's sake. And you're going to what.....fail me for not writing a comprehensive essay about why I want an education in a format you consider acceptable?
"I hope this helps. I don't know whether I should say I'm looking forward to your module 3 assignment, or not. :-)"
You might as well look forward to it. It will be the same kind of cookie-cutter rainbow-unicorn garbage you usually see if you insist upon it. Here's what you can expect; something-something broaden horizons, advance professionally-blah blah blah, but I'll make it sound good. I have told you how I really think, but it might at least be good for a laugh.
"If you want to use these paragraphs as the introduction to your ratioanle essay, nothing bad will happen. Honest. We like honesty around here. If it is respectful and, if a student can manage it, humorous. "
There is absolutley no chance of me using those paragraphs as an introduction or even a part of any final essay. I never use rough drafts because it is is easier (and more fun!) for me to just re-type the whole thing. Editing a rough draft seems like a waste of time to me. Why fix something that is broken when you can build it more perfectly the next time?
As far as respect and humour goes I can only offer you what I have already. I respect your title and position, and I'm pretty sure that if I knew you personally I would respect your person. I may challenge your professional views, but I only do so to gain perspective, not to insult your dignity. We are all here to learn, are we not? Is that not the purpose of an educational institution? That is why I challenge the purpose of this assignment, and the means by which I am graded on it. It could well be that I'm wrong about why students are asked to posit essays about why they are attending college, but it could also be that I'm right and we might both learn from examining the question.
In any case, you are my teacher and I am your pupil. I'll jump through whatever hoops you want(or are required by your superiors) to get my accredited piece of paper. Most of your other students are doing the same thing, even though they don't admit it. The whole idea is rather like the BS people put on resumes. Nobody works at Sears because their life aspiration is to have a rewarding career in retail, but they'll put that trash on their resume to get the job. The same concept applies here.
Your call, Professor. Would you rather pass me now, engage in a continuance of this discussion, or have me write an essay that is in no way about why I want to pursue a degree?