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Shawn Warren

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Higher education and research can and should be provided under the professional paradigm, not the university-government-union "hybrid."

Operating on around the current tuition and mandatory fee revenue universities receive, the vast majority of programs of study in higher education (HE) can be provided to society under the protection and direction of a formal profession. That is, academics (professors) that are not union-represented, university-government employees, but independent professionals offering their qualified expertise in education and research, subject to good standing in a legislatively approved professional society and social contract. We entrust and INSIST on the professional paradigm where other important services are concerned - medical, legal, engineering, accounting, psychiatry, dentistry... If we insist that we and our children receive these social goods within the professional service model, surely the same is plausible for (higher) education. I am confident that if this is true it will revolutionize HE and leave it with a much healthier custodian. My website explains this idea in greater detail. I implore you as an academic and a citizen, apply your collective intelligence to this proposal - so very much is at stake. Sincerely, Shawn Warren, PhD.

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    James Turner 10+

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    Apr 9 2012: Shawn it is a great idea BUT if you take away the power of control over public education from government the congressmen , president etc will whine and cry since they can no longer make the empty promise that they will fix education or as Brown is doing in California using it as a whip to get more taxes with less ROI so that the dems can continue the long history of tax and spend.
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      Shawn Warren

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      Apr 9 2012: I appreciate this. Here are some things to think about: 1) And foremost, 70% of the academic labour in America is classified as adjunct: average income around $73,000 (80k male, 67k female). These are all pathetic numbers - especially if the prof. paradigm fits. And useful. The feminist lobby is powerful, pay equity is hot, etc.; 2) Poverty and race are also on the side of this proposal - access increased and price decreased: http://www.insidehighered.com/views/2012/03/27/essay-asks-federal-aid-so-college-students-get-paid-study.; 3) There is a solid ethical argument, atmosphere and avenue available (paved and signposted by environmentalists and feminists) to place HE at the forefront of public consciousness (also anti-intellectualism is on the wane, with the tech and information contributions of the "universities" making reassuring headlines every day...); 4) There are already in place a number of adjunct faculty associations/movements that can be, as the world is showing us, be contacted and rallied through social networking. They are beaten and so intoxicated by the idea of a tenure-track position in the university that all they see is "working within the bankrupt system" - collective bargaining, like factory workers. I simply do not understand...but the prospect of a genuine profession might shake them out of this trance and give them a much needed reconstructed self-image; 5) There are the economic arguments that I believe are surprisingly persuasive to both sides of the dominant political coin - Dem and Rep - considerable public money liberated for the liberal agenda (if you wish) and a sector of society converted to typically more conservative preferences (if you wish) for regulation - merit and market; 6) There is the growing concern with the corporatization of the campus. It worries me too - PSA is a way out of this Faustian deal.

      This is just a start...

      I am concerned about this of course, but honestly, I am obliged to pursue this, civilly and profes.

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