Resisting the Instrumentalization of Regional Comprehensive Universities and Their Students by the Neoliberal Reformist Agenda

• In Event: 75.042 - MTCC Roundtable Session 34
  In Roundtable Session: 75.042-3 - Rethinking Democracy Within and Across

Abstract

In this conceptual paper, we describe the neoliberal social and political contexts Regional Comprehensive Universities (RCUs) and their students navigate. We argue that a neoliberal reformist agenda threatens to instrumentalize RCUs as workforce generators. With the instrumentalization of RCUs we see the future instrumentalization of the lives of their students, particularly those holding marginalized identities. We posit that the historic mission of RCUs and the identities of RCU students create unique opportunities to resist the neoliberal reformist agenda and protect the sector’s public purposes. We conclude with recommendations to this end.

Authors

• Cecilia M. Orphan, University of Denver

• Katherine Robert, University of Denver