On April 14, Colorado State University faculty and staff members gathered to discuss their hot takes on higher education.
Hot Takes: Higher Education in the Changing Federal Landscape was created as a collaboration between the political science department and the College of Liberal Arts’ Democracy Initiative, which was created during CSU’s Thematic Year of Democracy.
Greg Dickinson, the director of the Joe Blake Center for Engaged Humanities, served as the moderator. He provided a list of questions for panelists to answer about how their roles and the people they serve have been impacted by recent federal measures. After they answered those questions, Dickinson opened the floor to questions and opinions from the audience.
The first panelist to speak was James Pritchett, the CSU vice president for engagement and extension, who described his office’s work throughout the state of Colorado. The office receives funding from local, state and national governments, and Pritchett said he hopes it will continue to serve all 64 Colorado counties across 55 offices.
“I want you to know that I’m very proud of the work we do,” Pritchett said. “We’ve done nothing wrong.”
The next panelist to speak was Duan Ruff, the director of Student Leadership, Involvement and Community Engagement. SLiCE helps students get involved with organizations on campus, and it also coordinates basic needs and leadership initiatives, such as Rams Against Hunger and the President’s Leadership Program.
“Our job is to empower students,” Ruff said.
After Ruff, Michelle Stanley, the interim vice provost of undergraduate affairs and associate dean of undergraduate studies in the College of Liberal Arts, spoke. Her work also centers on making sure students have the support they need, and she voiced her concerns about the intrinsic bond between education and democracy.
“At which point can one erode without the other eroding?” Stanley said to the audience. “Do they both have to have really strong foundations in order to exist?”
She cited Harvard University, which refused to go along with federal demands April 13, as a source of inspiration and an example of democracy and education working together.
“Once we all meet in the middle, we can figure out how to continue to move forward together.” -Duan Ruff, SLiCE director
Sue James, the CSU vice provost for faculty affairs, discussed the challenges created by federal funding cuts and the resulting effects on the faculty she oversees. She also talked about the importance of education as a tool to fight oppressors.
“It’s a lot easier to oppress and suppress uneducated people,” James said, explaining her motivation for becoming an educator.
The last panelist to introduce himself was Brendan Hanlon, the CSU vice president for university operations and chief financial officer. While the financial state of a university like CSU is always changing, he said that policy changes, fluctuating markets and cuts to grant funding have contributed to rising uncertainty since January.
After the panelists answered Dickinson’s introductory questions, they began answering questions from the audience, which was composed mostly of CLA faculty members as well as a handful of students. A common theme of the discussion was the fear surrounding CLA departments possibility getting shut down.
“Education is a voluntary experience,” Stanley said. “There’s a safety in that.”
Throughout the discussion, multiple audience members and panelists brought up capoeira, a Brazilian martial art designed to look like a dance, as an analogy for how CSU community members can fight oppression.
Another common theme was segmented, specialized problem solving and its role in solving the issues CSU is now facing. James emphasized spending time and energy on individual issues, arguing it’s the best way to create sustainable solutions.
Ruff agreed, comparing it to solving a differential equation, requiring multiple steps before the solution becomes clear. He implored political think tanks to brainstorm solutions for issues like deportation. He also stressed the importance of coming together during this time.
“Once we all meet in the middle, we can figure out how to continue to move forward together,” Ruff said.
This event was one of a series of Hot Takes panels this semester. The next installment of the initiative will take place April 25.
Reach Angelina Hamlin at news@collegian.com or on social media @CSUCollegian.
