Posted on 10/26/2009 4:01:28 PM PDT by Ryde
Freepers: I occasionally work as an adjunct (I'm retired) for a local college. This college has just initiated a policy where they require their students to work for 75 hours for a third-party for free. That is, they require that a student give 75 hours of work to a non-profit, a charity, and so forth. The college will provide the list of organizations from which a student can choose. This strikes me as being pretty shaky legally and ethically. We seem to be providing a pool of unpaid labor for groups in our community--regardless of whether they want to work for free (which I am certainly opposed to.) The idea is supposedly to teach the students the value of serving others. Does any one out there have any comments or advice on this?
>>Simply remind them that YOU paid THEM for an education and if THYE want YOU to do work to obtain a degree then THEY need to pay YOU for those hours worked.<<
Yeah, that’s gonna work.
The only question is whether you can keep your dignity when they laugh you out of the place.
>>Yes, I would guess over 90 % of our funding is through one government entity or another.<<
College itself is not a “right” by any and all definitions. If you don’t want to dance the tune, don’t ask someone else to pay the piper.
Requiring college students to do 75 hours of volunteer work over four years or even over one year is hardly anything outrageous.
There must be a school, hospital, nursing home, charity, youth organization that you approve of that someone could make a difference by volunteering at.
>>Actually, I am a lowly adjunct who needs the money to help with my retirement. I do not have a leg to stand on . . . .<<
Ilene?
The contract you speak of is to provide an education in a discpline for a set price. You are also told about the books, materials and, if applicable, other expenses you can expect beyobd that.
The contract you speak of is to provide an education in a discpline for a set price. You are also told about the books, materials and, if applicable, other expenses you can expect beyond that.
My son’s High School did this as a graduation requirement. I went in to the school board and told them in no uncertain terms that my sons were not going to participate in any force volunteerism. Hence, it was no longer voluntary. He graduated anyway but was not allowed to go to the graduation ceremony. Which was fine with us. We had our own ceremony and it was much shorter and better.
Colleges can require such things as degree requirements. As you are paying to attend and therefore can choose to leave if the terms are unacceptable.
Sounds like slavery to me. Forcing some one to work is not a voluntary thing, it is slavery by another name. (forcing your kids to do chores is not included in this thought/idea process that is just common sense and character building).
>>I would think that it depends on if they were told in advance that they would have to volunteer 75 hours. If not, I think it is questionable as to it’s legality.
The contract you speak of is to provide an education in a discpline for a set price. You are also told about the books, materials and, if applicable, other expenses you can expect beyobd that. <<
You may have something there, but chances are good the admissions and registration documents allowed for such a change.
Trust me, I worked in Higher Ed for 20+ years and the contracts always favor the institution.
And, for the OP, the point is that whether or not the contract calls for such a commitment, it has nothing to do with “rights” and everything to do with “contract law.”
>>Forcing some one to work is not a voluntary thing, it is slavery by another name.<<
If you can refuse it, it isn’t slavery, it is contract law. If an artist refuses to perform you cannot compel the performance but you can sue for damages.
Do not conflate contract law and slavery.
Who lost their right to free speech?
Tell me, can Jewish military personnel wear a yarmulke?
I think I have a narrower view than you of what rights are.
Perhaps, but I’ll leave you with this quote, from Rehnquist’s opinion in Goldman v. Weinberger: “Our review of military regulations challenged on First Amendment grounds is far more deferential than constitutional review of similar laws or regulations designed for civilian society. The military need not encourage debate or tolerate protest to the extent that such tolerance is required of the civilian state by the First Amendment”
I agree. Especially if it was spelled out clearly within the contract. If it wasn't speleed out clearly I think they may still have a case against it.
In other words, if you feel you can afford to be an agitator (and I'm guessing from your situation you don't) then have at it in the press. Letters to the editor, paid advertisements if you can raise the money, fliers on campus, speaking out at town-hall functions if there are any, raise a ruckus and it's news. The reason you see headlines like "Man Paints Himself Purple And Runs Nekkid Through Campus To Protest [whatever]" is that it gets headlines to begin with. Their is, however, inevitably a cost associated for Mr. Purple. If you don't want to be him, don't do it.
You seem to be a big fan of contract stuff. What is it they call a contract that is missing one of the critical elements, you know, such as that "consideration" thingee?
>>What is it they call a contract that is missing one of the critical elements, you know, such as that “consideration” thingee?<<
You don’t see being paid as “consideration?” There is no more straightforward example of consideration in all of legaldom.
If you don’t want the man’s rules, don’t take the man’s money.
This college has just initiated a policy where they require their students to work for 75 hours for a third-party for free.
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