By: Angel Vallejos/Staff Writer
The main goal of anthropology professors is to train students to understand humans, but the recent comments of Gov. Rick Scott are making it hard to understand him.
“Is it a vital interest of the state to have more anthropologists? I don’t think so. It’s a great degree if people want to get it, but we don’t need them here,” said Scott. Scott’s aim is to help students find employment by preparing them for fields that are in demand.
Scott, who decided not to accept the federal stimulus money even though some argued the state needed it, is now questioning students’ decision to pick certain majors.
He believes that state money will be better spent in the science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs.
To Dennis Wiedman, an anthropology professor at the University, it doesn’t make sense to radically alter higher education. As he states: “They should be focusing with the science and mathematics earlier in education, it’s a little too late at the university level.”
A lot has been made out of the fact that Scott’s daughter has a bachelor’s degree in anthropology from the College of William &Mary.
“He may be reflecting upon the challenges that his daughter might have had trying to find a job with a bachelor’s degree in anthropology,” said Wiedman. The Miami Herald has reported that due to the current job market she is studying towards her master’s in business administration.
“He is business oriented and focused on balancing the budget,” said Wiedman. Which fits into his campaign promises, however, most don’t believe his latest target was carefully chosen.
“We now live in a global world and for us not to know other people, for business leaders and doctors and lawyers it puts them at a disadvantage,” said Wiedman.
Some students believe actions like the one Scott proposes undermine the true value of anthropologists.
“This country has always been about helping other nations survive and advance, none of that work would have been done without anthropologists,” said Kaler Wolberg an anthropology major at the University. “Missions are bred from cultural anthropological research. I’m part of the human race, and in this world you encounter many different people. Anthropology is very important to society.”
While programs like anthropology are being threatened with extinction, athletic programs are seeing a boost in funding. During the spring 2011 semester the University’s athletic fee was raised by three percent bringing the total to more than $230 per semester.
As Wiedman notes “Sports at the University level follow a business agenda. It’s run like a business.”
Due to the revenue that college sports attracts Wiedman believes that universities are more inclined to fund athletics because of the potential for income.
“Income comes into the schools from television rights; It fits within Scott’s view of business,” said Wiedman.
Dr. Hugh Gladwin, another professor of anthropology at the University, believes moves like these should not be a surprise.
“It’s expected,” Gladwin said. “In times of limited resources these governments have to make choices.”
However, Gladwin doesn’t believe it is Scott’s decision to make.
“No!” laughed Gladwin. “Students should have the right to choose, the educational system is based on free choice.”
Wiedman understands the financial hardships the state government is facing, but he believes that for the better of the nation, anthropology should stay.
“In the short term there are certain jobs that need to be fulfilled but in the long term freedom of speech must be preserved,” he said.
Wolberg likens Scott’s anti-anthropology crusade to the Red Scare of the 1950s where many suspected communists were imprisoned because of their views. She believes it is similar because both actions seek to censor speech.
“Saying what a student can and cannot study is a form of censorship.”
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