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#critlib 2016-11-01: academic libraries & the student loan crisis
Archive of the November 1, 2016 #critlib chat on academic libraries & the student loan crisis, moderated by @kevinseeber @modbrarian & @beccakatherine. For more info about #critlib, including past and future chats, visit http://critlib.org/
- Readings and questions for next week's #critlib are up! Join us at 9 p.m. eastern/8 central/7 mountain/6 pacific. http://critlib.org/student-loan-crisis/ …
- Fodder for tomorrow's #critlib chat, right here: https://twitter.com/greta/status/793052011386265600 …
- Join us for a #critlib discussion tomorrow, everyone! https://twitter.com/kevinseeber/status/793201873784143872 …
- Supplemental #critlib reading, especially for Q3. Join us tonight at 9 eastern/6 Pacific! https://twitter.com/insidehighered/status/793453828184104960 …
- TONIGHT (Tues. 6pm Pacific/9pm Eastern): #critlib chat on student loan crisis! How can librarians make a difference? http://critlib.org/student-loan-crisis/ …
- Since I'll miss tonight's #critlib, I wrote a thing instead: http://www.kellymce.info/bloggy/2016/11/1/the-cost-of-college-is-too-damn-high … thx to @kevinseeber @beccakatharine @modbrarian as mods
- I too will miss so I'll just pile on w mention that student loan debt is crushing LIS workers too, esp given low salaries. #critlib https://twitter.com/kellymce/status/793530181998608384 …
- $29,474.27 in the hole with one more semester to go! MLIS student/soon to be librarian ready for tonight's #critlib http://critlib.org/student-loan-crisis …
- We’ll have four questions tonight, coming from three moderators: @modbrarian, @beccakatharine, and me, @kevinseeber. #critlib
- Fair warning, there might be some jargon tonight. To help with that, we have definitions on the #critlib website: http://critlib.org/student-loan-crisis/ …
- This page on the #critlib site also has links to tonight’s readings and questions, if you’d like to review them. http://critlib.org/student-loan-crisis/ …
- Hi ya'll. When I am not RT'ing @kevinseeber for this chat. I am James a ref/inst librarian working in Wisconsin. #critlib
- Hi #critlib 👋 @PrattInfoSchool MLIS student here, shoutout to @jessicahochman's #lis673 lit&instruction class
- Hi! Kate Kitchens w/University of Dubuque. Thanks @beccakatharine @modbrarian & @kevinseeber for moderating! 🙉 #critlib
- We’ve got a lot to cover, so keep those introductions coming while we move on to the first #critlib question, coming from @modbrarian.
- @violetbfox Ouch- that's a lot! How does that inform your career choices? #critlib
- @beccakatharine Praying that public service loan forgiveness program will be around in 7 years. Have to stay eligible for that. #critlib
- I second @lisahubbell the public service loan forgiveness program is saving my ass!! #critlib
- @tangerinerinds I'm super salty that I have to PAY for a mandatory internship to graduate. Wondering how long I can live on ramen #critlib
- @tangerinerinds THIS #critlib I'm so tired of paying $$ for school credit for an unpaid internship
- @beccakatharine true: I tend to bring up in classes how students' tuition money is put to work at the library - they like that #critlib
- @thelizbrarian we had to fight to get it down to like a 12% cut last budget. #critlib
- @ashleydfarley - Yes! In my experience it has not been easy to get funding, including for conferences I'm presenting at. #critlib
- @thelizbrarian I want to believe... #critlib
- Unpaid mandatory internships are the cash cow of academia (tuition dollars) AND likely against labor laws #critlib https://twitter.com/beccakatharine/status/793622332627623936 …
- @CharissaAPowell Do those students seem to have an "oh well" attitude - like loans are just part of the experience? #critlib
- @EamonTewell Yup even tho I live under a mountain of debt the diversity of my coworkers is limited by ability to make same choices #critlib
- @Badgersssss so true! though I wish 'do what you love' didn't mean compromise on everything else r/t money.. #critlib
- @EamonTewell yeah I was a 1st-gen student from a family with no financial literacy and got hosed by a predatory state loan program #critlib
- omg, that's a thing! I didn't even know that was a thing. #critlib https://twitter.com/kevinseeber/status/793623323527647233 …
- @maraebrarian Can/should libraries do anything for making FAFSA more intelligible? (Q2 adjacent) #critlib
- @Mandapizzollo a great point - I had to work a bit to get info from my parents for FAFSA and had friends who had more trouble #critlib
- @modbrarian Say more. I think we're aware of ways to help save students money on textbooks. Are you getting at something else? #critlib
- This. #Critlib many POC I know don't want to take the risk of getting into debt when we earn so little as paraprofessionals. https://twitter.com/maraebrarian/status/793622397001666566 …
- @maraebrarian Students should get entrance counseling (required by DOE) before taking Fed loans, though quality varies #critlib
- @beccakatharine @maraebrarian Could def see some financial literacy/info literacy connections here #critlib
- @modbrarian Absolutely a privilege that has since been ended. I got in just under the wire. #critlib
- @beccakatharine @maraebrarian Great idea. I can just see the FAFSA LibGuide, or collaborating w FA office on workshops. #critlib
- @beccakatharine I would love a workshop, at least. As a 1st-gen student and an immigrant, the whole system confuses me - & others! #critlib
- @rwgammons higher ed being pushed as commodity/credential to get a job is a BIG factor in student debt #critlib
- My MSLIS was largely funded by GA tuition waivers, stipend not enough to cover fees+living expenses, so more still took out loans #critlib https://twitter.com/kevinseeber/status/793623323527647233 …
- @EamonTewell @rwgammons Yep - sometimes I wonder if we should do more about alternative paths to employment (like vocatl training) #critlib
- @beccakatharine Not in what I've heard! They seem to be very aware of the amount they're taking on ☹️ #critlib
- A2 #critlib colleagues are participating in this event tomorrow: http://cfsontario.ca/campaigns/fight-the-fees/ … Canadian Federation of Students Fight the Fees day
- @kevinseeber tuition reimbursements via working at public libraries or universities are so different everywhere, very strange #critlib
- I'd like to see more schols for potential libs w marginalized identities that fully fund tuition @ lib schl. #critlib https://twitter.com/beccakatharine/status/793623178283196416 …
- @justindlc Yeah, state of FL waived 6 hrs/semester, 3 sems/yr. i.e. I knocked out my 36 hours in two years. Only cost was books. #critlib
- @oksveta @kevinseeber @maraebrarian & then, what's the comprehension? I know I didn't understand implications of loan debt at 18 #critlib
- @EamonTewell @rwgammons Four years of job searching convinced me that my BA in Sociology was useless for more than min wage #critlib
- @modbrarian I confuse student resources w lib employee ones sometimes but I think we have a university-wide office. #critlib
- @maraebrarian 100% agree. Textbooks are so expensive & most fin. aid is going to tuition, room & board now, not school supplies. #critlib
- @Mandapizzollo Hear hear! Academ libs. have so much potential for collab w/ public libs, who likely already engage w/ finacl lit. #critlib
- @kevinseeber @justindlc UH has a similar benefit some employees, inc. faculty, but not for every bargaining unit #critlib
- @lisahubbell That happened to a friend. They got married soon after her daughter graduated. Couldn't afford to do otherwise! #critlib
- A2) the programming librarian in me would love to do financial literacy workshops 🤑 #critlib https://twitter.com/beccakatharine/status/793623178283196416 …
- @kevinseeber Or the spaces! #critlib I know we're sick of library as space but we do have the spaces for those workshops.
- @thelizbrarian @brinepond @oksveta #critlib we have a system wide Collection Development Policy against buying textbooks.
- A2) my library has a textbook lending program that helps a bit #critlib https://twitter.com/beccakatharine/status/793623178283196416 …
- @EamonTewell @rwgammons Especially predatory for-profits. Glad to see http://strikedebt.org/ buying out some student debt. #critlib
- This is still a thing @ some unis. ALSO I got part reimburs from mpow (Univ of KS) even tho they didn't have a lib schl. #critlib https://twitter.com/kevinseeber/status/793624953144774657 …
- @lisahubbell @rwgammons I was thinking about Strike Debt earlier today but couldn't remember the name! ty! #critlib
- @brinepond We do, but usually the textbooks are professors' personal copies & it is not systematic: up to the faculty to request #critlib
- @maraebrarian Yes. I try to get multiple copies. Our classes are small, but often more than one student relies on reserves. #critlib
- @Gaymerbrarian Good question! Maybe not, but we are teachers/resource builders, etc. so should probably work with folks who are #critlib
- @modbrarian @thelizbrarian @oksveta wwwweird. this is from the library i used to work at https://library.wayne.edu/services/reserves/textbooks.php … #critlib
- A2 my library collaborated with student advisory board to do this https://www.launch.umd.edu/project/2023 #critlib
- @maraebrarian need outreach libs 2 get in on that, & figure out a way as community members to know resources/how 2 find & share #critlib
- yes! for us, some lis student positions had tuition waivers, lots didn't... work or number of hours did not vary much #critlib https://twitter.com/ashleydfarley/status/793626362305097728 …
- @modbrarian @thelizbrarian @oksveta faculty can also choose to put items on reserve https://library.wayne.edu/services/reserves/policies_trad_res.php … #critlib
- @violetbfox Yes. Colleagues are often surprised when I mention that students who save money on books spend it on food. #critlib
- @Gaymerbrarian Yeah, that's a huge question. My concern is that lots of other offices aren't paying attention, and we are. #critlib
- .@EamonTewell we have a food pantry at UD! & a place for free coats & clothing. I think it's a great way to support students. #critlib
- @brinepond @modbrarian @oksveta Fac could put txt on reserve. bookstore thing also bled into #OER stuff...just bad vibes all round #critlib
- my subtweet of this is. Librarian training in contract negotiating. Not our area of expertise, but so vital to keep costs down. #critlib https://twitter.com/rachellux/status/793627136628326405 …
- @brinepond @modbrarian @thelizbrarian @oksveta same at my institution. I've always encouraged students to organize a textbook co-op #critlib
- A2. MA offers LSTA grants for financial literacy; could be used for student support. & @SomervillePL has an income inequality group #critlib
- @lisahubbell @violetbfox In college I cashed out my financial-aid funded meal plan so I could buy my books (and then had no food) #critlib
- I'm not going #fullgreta, but I question some of the reno/construction projects. We spent a lot of $$$ on stuff Ss don't want/need #critlib
- @maraebrarian Makes me think overall how varied the student experience is. Some really struggle to cover costs while others don't. #critlib
- @brinepond @modbrarian @thelizbrarian @oksveta offer an exchange or short term loan. Some students cant afford all their textbooks. #critlib
- YES!! RT @justindlc A3 Could remaining silent about unnecessary campus expenditures also implicate us in academic libraries? #critlib
- @modbrarian @kevinseeber I got my MLIS almost free because of tuition reimbursement benefits through my union #critlib
- Yes! Can we please stop with the unpaid internships in libraries? #critlib https://twitter.com/rwgammons/status/793627778847502336 …
- @Gaymerbrarian Not in library job descriptions, but it is sharing ed resources + a basic way to advocate for social justice. #critlib
- This is a huge, huge issue in higher education. #critlib https://twitter.com/maraebrarian/status/793628141956702209 …
- You heard of this, right? Critics question spending librarian's donation on scoreboard #critlib http://ihenow.com/2exUSiU
- @kevinseeber And then when we won't buy their textbooks but we will buy this cool 3D-printer with hazy academic applications...? #critlib
- @eminencefont I'd love to hear more about that! #critlib
- @eminencefont Please share! In what ways?? #critlib
- do it! see previous tweets about partnerships #critlib https://twitter.com/eminencefont/status/793628551446683649 …
- @modbrarian at prev lib we had to cut 7.5% from coll budget. couldn't believe the waste uncovered when searching for subs to cut #critlib
- @thelizbrarian @nclive @bpl @CarElizHay CSU is working on implementing new unified lib mgmt system to search all 23 catalogs @ once #critlib
- There's a lot of showing up to meetings, using what leverage we do have to speak out, etc that doesn't happen for various reasons #critlib https://twitter.com/oksveta/status/793628548896477184 …
- @Mandapizzollo Amen to that! #critlib
- @eminencefont ooh interested in hearing this #critlib
- @thelizbrarian I wonder though, do libraries do this out of funding necessity or b/c it's great for Ss and community? #critlib
- @eminencefont Yes, please share! #critlib
- THIS is where acad politics makes me so angry. Our position is already so tenuous, even though we're Ss-centered cant rock the boat #critlib https://twitter.com/beccakatharine/status/793628914027552768 …
- For A4, please see @little_wow's series of tweets from earlier today, too! https://twitter.com/little_wow/status/793585704995524617 … #critlib
- @CarElizHay Oh, almost definitely the former. #critlib
- @thelizbrarian right?! & I get why we don't/can't always do it, but I'd like to think of ways to strengthen our position here #critlib
- @maraebrarian My point being that financial aid, tuition, student jobs, need to think about equity not equality. #critlib
- @Gaymerbrarian not our responsibility per se but if students need it and we have the resources then no reason not to #critlib
- A4: @DrexelUniv does co-op program for undergrad, but would be cool to see in some way in MLS programs. http://drexel.edu/difference/co-op/how-co-op-works/ … #critlib
- master's programs are oft major revenue generators for universities and there is expectation for programs to bring in tuition $$ #critlib https://twitter.com/kevinseeber/status/793628991508709376 …
- @EamonTewell Implement! Implement! Ours is going really well thus far. Library is an excellent drop off location too #critlib
- @CarElizHay I think UBC does co-op for Canadians. Remember seeing that when looking at schools - maybe still true. #critlib
- @beccakatharine That is a great idea! #critlib
- A4 I agree @rachellux more PAships and TAships w/tuition remission. #critlib
- Is it stigma or program quality? Or both? #critlib https://twitter.com/dockray_tracy/status/793630165846880256 …
- A4: @maraebrarian ughhh don't get me started on ALA and ACRL fees. #critlib
- @nfoasberg @thelizbrarian @nclive @bpl @CarElizHay really excited to roll it out... hoping faculty are too *fingers crossed* #critlib
- @rwgammons IKR? It's always "experience, experience." But I was entry level once and PRETTY DAMN GOOD #critlib
- #critlib Experience for course credit, not paying for the internship req, have libs support grad stud thru flex time/financial&othr support. https://twitter.com/kevinseeber/status/793628991508709376 …
- @beccakatharine Yes! Master's programs are university cash cows so this would be a difficult fight #critlib
- @beccakatharine I have classmates who use their lib jobs as "independent study" courses for credit - but the credits still cost $$ #critlib
- @kevinseeber @beccakatharine yeah! if law schools can offer expedited programs, surely lib schools can, too! #critlib
- @modbrarian Yes, we have a Digitization/Preservtn initiative on campus that should be strictly hiring MLIS students but they don’t. #critlib
- @justindlc yesssss thank you #critlib
- b/c of this (⬇️), it's hard to imagine meaningful change w/o dramatic reform of what librarian training looks like. #critlib https://twitter.com/oksveta/status/793629931540361216 …
- #Critlib conferences are another part of the prob. So expensive, even w/student rates https://twitter.com/maraebrarian/status/793630219319910400 …
- @dockray_tracy My online classes actually had added technology fees that made them more expensive at Rutgers! #critlib
- @modbrarian I think we need to make these jobs more inviting, though. Not enough MLIS students applied for where I worked. #critlib
- @CarElizHay My uni has a hard limit of 25 hrs/week because of ACA. They refuse to pay for health care for hourly workers, which... #critlib
- @thelizbrarian @dockray_tracy Personal op: my prog lacks the quality. Not all MLIS programs are created equal. Wish I knew that b4 #critlib
- @rwgammons and don't just *advertise* for entry-level, *only hire* entry-level for those positions #critlib
- --> better lib school exp for those w the background? focus on theory, ethics, exploratory work, no rehashing the basics you know #critlib https://twitter.com/maggiehm/status/793629912049606656 …
- @maraebrarian So true!! Those in financial need can expertly craft a budget & are perfectly frugal already. We need more. #critlib
- @EamonTewell we've paired with our campus student learning center to offer more variety in workshops. Finances included. #critlib
- @CarElizHay Full time grad student - I work as a GA 15 hr/wk limit & also ironically for a collection agency 25+ hrs/wk #critlib
- #critlib if this were the "standard" path into the field, I would be supportive. Esp if employee tuition benefits were more common https://twitter.com/kevinseeber/status/793630865624473600 …
- @werstgerl @justindlc @kevinseeber She's probably literally more qualified than the person who taught my archives class #critlib
- Second, let’s hear your #critpitch! What should #critlib people know about? What events are coming up? What needs some help or awareness?
- @CarElizHay My stipend from my GA is nothing and my other hourly job doesn’t pay enough. #critlib
- My first #critpitch is that everybody read this excellent blog from our friend & colleague @kellymce: http://www.kellymce.info/bloggy/2016/11/1/the-cost-of-college-is-too-damn-high … #critlib
- @thelizbrarian I took good advantage of this, highly recommended #critlib
- News to me, too. Thanks! #critlib https://twitter.com/thelizbrarian/status/793631971436032004 …
- #critlib Any Canadian librarians out there, tomorrow is fight the fees day, participate in rallies on your campus! http://cfsontario.ca/campaigns/fight-the-fees/ …
- #critpitch I'll be moderating 12/19 #critlib chat on critical reflection. Propose topics or see future schedule at http://critlib.org/twitter-chats/
- @justindlc Or just fewer MLIS programs in general. #critlib
- My other #critpitch is that you help promote this vacancy for a new director at my academic lib in Denver: https://cu.taleo.net/careersection/2/jobdetail.ftl?job=07287&lang=en … #critlib
- @werstgerl @justindlc AND would probably attract more qualified candidates if programs would remember that students gotta eat, too #critlib
- Q2. As outreach lib, I'm interested in doing something @MoneySmartWeek - lots of good ideas. #critlib
- @justindlc or be more honest about job prospects to potential students. Feel like projections were fairly dishonest. #critlib
- @violetbfox @justindlc fewer programs seems more feasible. fewer students = less revenue = program balance sheets no longer viable #critlib
- #critpitch Haven't been keeping up with #critlib - any major / hot takes / blog posts / other on info lot with respect to the election?
- @catladylib @kellymce @sofiayleung Meant to tell you (& Brian & Tami & all the fab @kulibraries folks how great I thought this was! #critlib
- Yeah, how bout those flocks of retirements? Still waiting on them #critlib https://twitter.com/IreneKorber/status/793633790379761665 …
- @justindlc I agree! But if the schools are making money off the program... #critlib
- I feel this is what is happening throughout the profession. #critlib MPOW in MIA ($$$$) expects MLIS+yes of exp for less than living wage https://twitter.com/eminencefont/status/793632805771157505 …
- Tho as someone who had to pay out-of-state tuition, less progs could actually be more damaging #critlib https://twitter.com/oksveta/status/793633793860960256 …
- thank you so much #critlib great idea by @kevinseeber thanks for allowing @beccakatharine to help moderate this. Thanks all.
- @thelizbrarian @justindlc "The greying of the profession!" Can't even count how many times I heard that while getting my MLIS #critlib
- thanks @beccakatharine @modbrarian & @kevinseeber for a great chat. lot's to think about here. #critlib https://twitter.com/beccakatharine/status/793633999159779328 …
- Many thanks to @modbrarian and @beccakatharine for co-moderating, and thanks to all of YOU for participating! #critlib
- Worked in pub. lib. 1st sem. of MLIS. PT, but they wanted FT work and commitment. Hard to balance seperate demands like that #critlib https://twitter.com/oksveta/status/793632265150410753 …
- @thelizbrarian very true! but so hard to imagine a uni where master's students aren't exploited to fund rest of campus #critlib
- Also FYI about the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. Use it! #critlib https://twitter.com/violetbfox/status/793634532054278144 …
- sorry I didn't participate more in #critlib - if you're interested I'm blogging Library Assessment Conference at http://quickaskzoe.com 😚
- @justindlc Not all library schools are equal. Some are doing a better job than others. Tough choices need to be made somewhere... #critlib
- @thelizbrarian #critlib sometimes, new master's programs are started to keep undergrad tuition down, eg https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2016/10/28/public-liberal-arts-colleges-you-wont-find-these-schools-on-espn/ …
- @IreneKorber @thelizbrarian I know - no idea how this narrative of older folks retiring making room for younger makes any sense #critlib
- .@IreneKorber ppl don't know abt PSLF/don't think they qualify. I didn't think I qualified bcs I work for a private u but I do. #critlib
- @thelizbrarian @maraebrarian SO TRUE! Been in the field for over 10 yrs b4 starting MLIS & heard this all the time. Still waiting #critlib
- Here's a belated #critpitch for #critlib: you're invited to send in a proposal for #wilu2017. It's not too late! https://wilu2017.library.ualberta.ca/program/call-for-proposals/ …
- @justindlc @thelizbrarian if anything its been positions that werent filled / merged n2 others. Waiting for that retirement wave... #critlib
- @Infinity_Dots people don't know and it's a damn shame. A week I ago told a MSW friend about it and she had no idea. Not publicized #critlib
- @ashleydfarley @thelizbrarian @maraebrarian FWIW, it is happening, just not at the scale that was promised for the last ten years. #critlib
- @brinepond Practically or emotionally? Easy to get caught up in numbers and strategic choices re student loans. #critlib
- @modbrarian @Infinity_Dots I should have 4 years left but need to confirm. Lucky to have already been in academia when getting MLIS #critlib
- More about the Public Service Loan Forgiveness | Federal Student Aid #critlib https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/repay-loans/forgiveness-cancellation/public-service …
- #CritLib Looks like you have to be making qualifying payments for 10 yeas in order to be eligible for PSLF 😐 My plan is to pay it off in 10 https://twitter.com/luna_dee/status/793638294668075008 …
- @EamonTewell a food bank appeared on our campus after it was a demand of a recent student protest - so happy we have one now #critlib
- @EamonTewell I wasn't adjuncting one semester, no job prospects went to food pantries, worried about seeing my students there #critlib
- @violetbfox True. Ways we can help w student loan crisis may come from us as individuals in the voting booth. #critlib
- @brinepond @modbrarian @thelizbrarian @oksveta certain texts are on reserves, but not the main readings. Still required buying. #critlib
- In case you missed the #critlib from tonight - check out this awesome Storify created by @tangerinerinds https://twitter.com/tangerinerinds/status/793656088193273857 …
- #storify of tonight's #critlib on academic libraries & the student loan crisis https://storify.com/tangerinerinds/673critlib … #studentloans #academiclibraries
- #critlib : academic libraries & the student loan crisis (with tweets) · angelaacookee · Storify by @angelaacookee https://storify.com/angelaacookee/critlib …
- @LibraryUFV agree so much with this. hoped to work on as ALA prez but finding other ways now #critlib
- In Eugene, #Oregon, the Student Food Pantry provides #free food to #highered students who have a school ID. http://www.uoecm.org/the-student-food-pantry.html … #critlib https://twitter.com/EamonTewell/status/793626033169821698 …
- Good #critlib thread from last night. https://twitter.com/maggiehm/status/793629912049606656 …
