Posts by Marc Bousquet

February 7, 2008, 04:24 PM ET

Play Ph.D. Casino!

By Marc Bousquet

Right now I’m editing an interview with Cary Nelson, and following up on the health-care plans of the Democrats. While there’s been no substantial discussion of this here at The Chronicle, there has been a very pointed discussion on ADJ-L, and some good points made in a crosspost to Daily Kos as well.

In the meanwhile, take a look at this video, Play Ph.D. Casino!, which has been the most popular in the series, having been screened over 12,000 times on YouTube alone. It was the top video in the Education section on the YouTube “Meet the Candidates” series.

It’s actually the second installment of my interview with Monica Jacobe, which explores the substantial overlap between the categories of “contingent faculty” and “graduate student.”

Also see Part 1, Predatory Employment in Higher Ed. And, as always, see more at howtheuniversityworks.com

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February 6, 2008, 01:19 AM ET

Which Candidate's Health Plan Best Covers Contingent Faculty?

By Marc Bousquet

So it’s neck and neck in the Democratic race, and since neither candidate has promised to end poverty in academia, I wonder: which of the candidates has a viable plan for treating contingent faculty diagnosed with cancer, or heart disease? (Since “quality management” and “executive leadership” doesn’t take responsibility for these issues, while nicely insuring the retirement accounts of said managers and executives.)

Obama relies on subsidies: working adults who “need financial assistance will receive an income-related federal subsidy to buy into the new public plan or purchase a private health-care plan.” Coverage is optional for adults, and a “typical” family of four would save a modest $2,500. The “new public plan” is based on the so-called Congressional plan (Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan or FEHBP menu of private insurance choices).

Clinton relies on tax credits,...

February 3, 2008, 04:02 PM ET

(video) Faculty on Food Stamps

By Marc Bousquet

When John Edwards pulled out of the Democratic primary contest, the remaining candidates rushed to adopt his promise to end poverty in America.

Extending college opportunity is at the heart of both Obama and Clinton’s plans, but the claim to end poverty with higher education would be a lot more convincing if either candidate had a plan to end poverty in higher education.

Follow the link to view a very short video in which Andy Smith describes his years on public assistance while serving as a graduate employee and then nontenurable instructor at a public institution in the great state of Tennessee. Many of his colleagues worked in retail, in food service, or other service economy jobs to supplement their addiction to teaching. For many of them, Andy says, Wal-mart would have been a better place to work.

This is the first in a series of short-form videos, generally running 3...