PLANNING FOR SUCCESS

Keil Eggers 3/6/2014

NOT CURRENTLY CREATIVITY

CONFORMITY AND PROCESSING

Innovation is not a principle of the University, because it is only encouraged in certain realms.

NOAM CHOMSKY- THE DEATH OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES

-In 1960s and 1970s student activism was seen as result of not properly doing their job of indoctrinating the young.

Well, how do you indoctrinate the young? There are a number of ways. One way is to burden them with hopelessly heavy tuition debt. Debt is a trap, especially student debt, which is enormous, far larger than credit card debt. Its a trap for the rest of your life because the laws are designed so that you cant get out of it. If a business, say, gets in too much debt it can declare bankruptcy, but individuals can almost never be relieved of student debt through bankruptcy. They can even garnish social security if you default. Thats a disciplinary technique.
-https://www.jacobinmag.com/2014/03/the-death-of-american-universities/

NOAM CHOMSKY- THE DEATH OF AMERICAN UNIVERSITIES

Its very similar to what youd expect in a factory, where factory workers have to be disciplined, to be obedient; theyre not supposed to play a role in, say, organizing production or determining how the workplace functions-thats the job of management. This is now carried over to the universities. And I think it shouldnt surprise anyone who has any experience in private enterprise, in industry; thats the way they work. Clark- Universities are a way to process individuals for business, come into capitalist system

OCCUPY UC DAVIS, 2011

University serves the interest of the ruling class, whoever that may be
Creativity and Innovation are frowned upon when they challenge the position of administrators or private interests. Not a principle, because it is bounded.

What does the University really mean by innovation?

LEARY- KEYWORDS FOR THE AGE OF AUSTERITY

Other than mystifying creativity itselfwhich now looks more like an intuitive blast of inspiration, and less like workinnovation gives creativity a specific professional, class dimension. It is almost always applied to white-collar and profitseeking activities, although its increasing popularity in educational contexts only reflects the creeping influence of market-based models in this field. Rare is the innovative carpenter, plumber, or homemaker, in spite of the imagination, improvisation, and managerial skills required of each. -http://jpleary.tumblr.com/post/78022307136/keywords-for-the-age-of-austerityinnovation

Who is to be included in GMUs quest for innovation?

LEARY- KEYWORDS FOR THE AGE OF AUSTERITY

Like the mythical inventor of the American industrial ageAlexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison tinkering in their workshopsthe innovator is a model capitalist citizen for our times. But the object of his innovation is more elusive: you can touch a telephone or a phonograph, but who can lay hands on an Amazon algorithm, a credit-default swap, or an international free trade agreement? An individualistic, white-collar trait, innovation reframes the cruel fortunes of the global economy as the logical products of a creative brilliance, but one that retains both a touch of the prophet, and a hint of the confidence man. --http://jpleary.tumblr.com/post/78022307136/keywords-for-the-age-of-austerityinnovation

PROBLEMATIC DISCOURSE
Globalized context- People who globalize emerge into the world economy while those who resist are excluded from universal space (Jabri, 46)

In the same way, discussion of the creative class excludes those who are systemically oppressed
- Justifies dispossession and capital accumulation (i.e. gentrification)

Leads to othering along class and racial lines, and others must be governed. (We talked about how to effectively kick people out of their homes. *Clap*Clap)
Cultures of resistance are tolerated rather than engaged. (Jabri, Ch. 2)

ALTERNATIVE
Instead of focusing on how the Honors College should spur innovation, the creativity should come in building participatory structures within the educational system.

Hub for activism, critique, and participation

Exceptional Students should be directly participating in decision-making and direction of the University The students of the Honors College are best suited to lead to real connectivity among university institutions and lessen the boundaries imposed by administrators. -As opposed to Arison campaign where students were shamed for trying to have a say on university policy.

HONORS COLLEGE IS COMPLICIT

Currently, HC supposed to bring both university and general public attention to the increasing excellence of Masons student body and to the full spectrum of opportunities for academic achievement, professional development, and public service that Mason offers our most highly-motivated undergraduates. The Honors College is helping sell the GMU model. But at whose expense?

When this becomes the case, critique or participation in university decision-making is frowned upon.
Dissent does not help public image, although it definitely makes for creative solutions and a better academic community.

ACTIVISM IS CREATIVITY
It provides alternatives New combinations for social interactions If we claim to support creativity and innovation as the most important idea, we need to support it in all of its forms.

PHYSICAL STEPS

FACILITATING A SAFE ENVIRONMENT

Remove Mason Police Station by Rappahonok Parking Deck

Move their office to SUB 1, and reduce workforce to 3 fulltime officers

Lessons repressive force for administration

Improves feeling of security

Replace with Honors College Study Lounge

CONNECTION TO SOCIAL SPACES

The new study space is close to Starbucks, late-night pizza spot, and UPS Location at entrance of campus inviting Close to freshman housing at Eastern Shore

Walkable

LOCATION, LOCATION
Put the Honors College in the bottom floor of the Johnson Center, or another place near the center of campus Bottom floor is essential, because then the office is not above other members of the campus community

FOUNDATION BEFORE FORM

Successful Students Collaboration

Connections
Ethics Pragmatism

Gaining knowledge of domain

Learning what materials exist for combinations