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from the probably-should-have-researched-this-better dept.
The World Socialist Web Site reports
[...] a former student of Anglia Ruskin University [...] is suing the UK institution for breach of contract and fraudulent misrepresentation.
[...] Graduate Pok Wong is claiming £60,000 compensation--her estimated cost of her university education--on the basis that her degree did not offer the "quality education and prospect of employment after graduation" claimed by the university.
This suit demonstrates the corrosive consequences of students being encouraged to view themselves as consumers entering into contracts with universities for economic advantage. The collective endeavour of learning is replaced by a purely financial and adversarial relationship between two parties, in which each is incentivised to push the other for maximum "cost efficiency".
In comments to the Sunday Telegraph, Wong explained her hopes that the case would "set a precedent so that students can get value for money, and if they don't they get compensated".
Her comments accept the principles of marketised education and attempt to leverage them for individual students' self-interest.
[...] Wong refers in her legal papers to Anglia Ruskin's claim to carry out "world-leading research". In fact, the university is ranked in the 301st-350th bracket for quality of research by Times Higher Education. A number of other institutions have promoted themselves with similar lies or distortions.
Last November, the Advertising Standards Authority watchdog ordered seven universities to change false claims about their status made in advertisements to students. The University of Strathclyde, for example, was told to change its claim, "We're ranked No. 1 in the UK" for physics. Teesside University had to stop calling itself the "Top university in England for long-term graduate prospects".
[...] in 2013, [...] replies to freedom of information requests at 70 universities found that [...] Anglia Ruskin was listed as one of a number of institutions, particularly newer ones, whose spending [on marketing themselves] skyrocketed in these years. It spent £1.76 million in 2012-13, about £1 million more than in 2010-11.
(Score: -1, Troll) by i286NiNJA on Monday March 19 2018, @10:04PM (3 children)
Horseshit.
An old man like you has no place saying what should be. You ruined the world and now expect us youngsters to follow ideals suitable for the times you grew up in and wasted.
It's a savage concrete jungle now old man you don't waste time fucking around lest you and all your descendents end up at the wrong end of the economic split.
I'm sure if you write a beautiful letter to your grandchildren, explaining how you've become a man and you can cook a meal and skin your dick and do your taxes by yourself on the long form --Heinlen... well they'll understand why they had to be born into the slave caste.
Nothing kills me more than the lazy advice of the entitled generation.
(Score: 5, Touché) by NotSanguine on Monday March 19 2018, @11:40PM (1 child)
That's adorable!
Did you write that all by yourself? I'm so proud of you.
I find it especially cute that you blame me for your own misfortunes. What's more, I think you're oh so sweet for assuming that I've been entitled or otherwise had advantages over *anyone*.
Have you ever been homeless? Forced to shoplift and dumpster dive just to eat?
Have you ever had to sleep in parks or train stations because you had nowhere else to go?
Have you ever battled drug problems?
I've dealt with all three. And I clawed my way back up from *less* than nothing.
Just to clarify, I've *never* been the recipient of any form of public assistance. Can you say the same?
Don't like how your life is going? That's on you, not on me.
Don't like the way the world works? Do you do anything (besides blaming other people) to make things better?
I'm sorry that you're so angry. I'm sorry that your life has turned you into such a bitter person.
I'm sorry that you feel the need to lash out at others because you're unhappy.
But none of those things are my fault. Go ahead and feel free to blame me if it makes you feel better.
Sadly, it won't improve your life. But if it gives your pathetic existence a small respite from your feelings of failure and worthlessness, who am I to take that away from you?
I hope your life improves and you begin to understand what it is to be human. You have my pity and sympathy, friend.
No, no, you're not thinking; you're just being logical. --Niels Bohr
(Score: 1) by i286NiNJA on Thursday March 22 2018, @04:09PM
So you grew up during the best times in America and you still struggled? Yeah please keep quoting Heinlein.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday March 20 2018, @02:19AM
go cry in your beer. [youtube.com]