A surprising incident took place at Yeshiva University in New York recently, in which professor Gillian Steinberg resigned from her position in the English and writing department as a form of protest of how other faculty are treated on her campus and elsewhere. After years of trying to assist fellow teachers in obtaining full-time work in the face of an administration that limits hiring and predominantly relies on less-than-effective part-time employees, she has finally given up the fight. Upon her exit, she stated, "I hope that it might effect some positive change as my colleagues at other institutions see, first, that resignation as protest is a real possibility and, second, that we can stand in solidarity across our profession to draw attention to the issues that plague academia, and especially writing programs, today."
I often feel about activist teachers the way I feel about Hollywood elites. Like George Clooney decrying the wealth gap from his mansion in Italy or Leonardo DiCaprio lecturing the world on global warming while zooming around the planet on private jets, most professors feel empowered to voice a position without actually doing anything about it personally. Take a pay cut, George, and close the gap by paying everyone else who works on your film just as much as you earn. Take a break from the yachts and jets, Leo, and worry about your own carbon footprint first. If you really believe what you say, then make the change yourself.
But that never happens. And teachers are much the same way, believing they are bravely out on a limb when they’re actually firmly clinging to the trunk. Tenured and financially secure professors say they oppose the use of adjunct faculty, but they never feel strongly enough about it to instigate real change. It’s easy to pay lip service without offering any real sacrifice. It’s easy to sound strong from a place of security. The case at Yeshiva is truly unique.
This English professor’s gesture is unlikely to induce any real results, but I respect the commitment to her belief. "Cutting my ties fully is the right ethical stand to take," she said. I’m not one for activism—after all, we put ourselves into this mess—but I am one for guts. And Ms. Steinberg’s got them.
I often feel about activist teachers the way I feel about Hollywood elites. Like George Clooney decrying the wealth gap from his mansion in Italy or Leonardo DiCaprio lecturing the world on global warming while zooming around the planet on private jets, most professors feel empowered to voice a position without actually doing anything about it personally. Take a pay cut, George, and close the gap by paying everyone else who works on your film just as much as you earn. Take a break from the yachts and jets, Leo, and worry about your own carbon footprint first. If you really believe what you say, then make the change yourself.
But that never happens. And teachers are much the same way, believing they are bravely out on a limb when they’re actually firmly clinging to the trunk. Tenured and financially secure professors say they oppose the use of adjunct faculty, but they never feel strongly enough about it to instigate real change. It’s easy to pay lip service without offering any real sacrifice. It’s easy to sound strong from a place of security. The case at Yeshiva is truly unique.
This English professor’s gesture is unlikely to induce any real results, but I respect the commitment to her belief. "Cutting my ties fully is the right ethical stand to take," she said. I’m not one for activism—after all, we put ourselves into this mess—but I am one for guts. And Ms. Steinberg’s got them.