The last few weeks have been very eventful for me. I missed a few weeks with some family emergencies, but life did not stop because of it. During this time of emergencies, I also missed a few weeks of school and a few weeks from writing for Odyssey.
Well, I’m glad to say that all is well and the family is good, but when trying to get back into the groove with school, the realization of how far I had gotten behind sank in. The scramble began, and setting up meeting times with the professors seemed a little daunting.
They, as I, are just as busy with teaching and life that office hours just didn’t seem to be enough. After all while the family is in the clear they still depend on me and that schedule will never be modified. So the hurdle to meet with the professors arrived and I would jump it. I met with them all and they all vowed to help me get back on track. What was interesting however were the conversations that were had over the institution and how the rules that were established seem counterproductive to education and makes one think, “Is school a business or is it an institution of learning”?
Besides having a limited time to master the material, whatever it might be, students must come up with exorbitant amount of money for the three month period just to attend. Then buying books adds to the pressure. This is only part of the cost as many know. Housing, fees, and food add to the surmounting amount of debt. Why is this happening?
This article from the "New York Times" could do a better job of explaining this than I ever could. The "Washington Post" has a well-informed explanation of other nation’s approaches to education. It is time for students across this nation demand a better system. There will never be growth in this country unless we can shake of the debt that is incurred. It is like being an indentured to pay for the possibility for a good life and this is a shame.
Also life as an adjunct is almost downright unfair. Meanwhile uneducated and unskilled workers of the fast food industry are demanding 15 dollars an hour. 
Here is an article from Oregon that has presented one possible solution.
