By: Alex Sorondo / Columnist
Discussion, not debate, is currently taking place among members of the Student Government Council at Modesto Maidique Campus with regard to Governor Rick Scott’s remarks about the frivolity of anthropology and the need to focus funding on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines instead.
Alex Sorondo / Columnist
The same discussion is being had among other student governments, university officials and politicians throughout Florida – but only discussion. Rumors about anything decisive happening in the near future with regard to the reallocation of funds are rooted only in slivers of chance, not truth.
At the Nov. 14 meeting, SGC-MMC Vice President Sanjeev Udhnani brought attention to the issue and the obstacles that might ensue, alluding to concerns about reduced funding for liberal arts.
These concerns are speculative, however, based on remarks made by Gov. Scott in early October.
“Do you want to use your tax dollars to educate more people who can’t get jobs in anthropology?” said Scott. “I don’t. I want to make sure that we spend our dollars where people can get jobs when they get out.”
Such is the evasive and noncommittal nature of Scott’s remarks, spoken with that constant wide-eyed reptilian pomp so distinctly his own. He voiced his disdain without pledging to do anything about it – a gesture of allegiance to the political right without posing a clear threat to the left.
So, the risks in Gov. Scott’s stance are only to be inferred. Scott’s aides described his comments as “conversation starters.”
What makes it such a calamitous prospect, though, is that no matter how Gov. Reptar’s desires might be satisfied, whatever the means by which money is given to STEM studies over liberal arts, it only means more angst for a student body already racked by the increasing price of tuition, which will double within the next five years.
According to a study at the University of California, 60 percent of pre-med students and 40 percent of engineering students either dropped out or changed majors.
So, considering the financial strain and the widespread disdain for STEM studies, at least as they are currently overseen, it seems likely that Scott may resort to luring students into STEM programs not by offering benefits, but by simply raising the price of any alternative.
Scanning the stances and tones of op-ed pieces and blogs suggests that the governor’s statements are being received not only with dissent, but with resentment, as journalists and bloggers express their offense at the insinuation that their passion or profession, residing in the humanities, is not valuable to the current generation of students.
Fred Hoffman, a math professor at Florida Atlantic University, told the Sun Sentinel that Scott “just wants to train ‘em to make money,” rather than wanting students to get an education.
A poll on htpolitics.com shows that 89 percent of its 4,300 voters disagree with Scott’s thoughts regarding anthropology and its funding.
When asked how the SGA was planning to address the issue, SGC-MMC President Patrick O’Keefe said, via email, “The Florida Student Association is working on a counter-proposal to provide alternative funding options for STEM.”
Very, very few are on Scott’s side. Even if Scott’s assessment was reasonable, it was made at the wrong time with a smug rhetoric that surely won’t win supporters.
Considering the fervent opposition throughout academia, it seems unlikely that anything as radical as the severance of Bright Futures’ funding for anthropology majors, the doubling of their tuition or anything as drastic will come to fruition.
SGC-MMC Commentary is a feature that evaluates the student council’s performance. Look for it every Friday.
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