Fighting for Net Neutrality: New Threats to Internet Freedom
In May 2017, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) chair Ajit Pai announced the FCC’s plan to roll back protections for Internet freedoms, or “net neutrality,” put in place by the Obama administration in 2015. Believing that net neutrality is preventing Internet providers from making significant profits and investments, Pai wants to allow them to provide faster... Read More
Protecting Faculty Speech after Garcetti v. Ceballos
In the course of a week, a public university professor might write a proposal for flexible work hours, sign a petition supporting adjuncts, or speak up at a meeting on equity and inclusion. The professor could face disciplinary action for any one of those statements because they are not protected by the First Amendment. In... Read More
Immigration Bill Threatens the Arts and Humanities
The RAISE Act purports to value skilled, educated workers, but when it comes to the arts and humanities, a PhD won’t get you in the door.
Opportunities for International Education on the Chopping Block
A congressional subcommittee has passed a bill that could eliminate all funding for Fulbright-Hays, a Department of Education program that provides opportunities for students and teachers to develop language skills and area expertise overseas. The bill now goes to the full House Appropriations Committee for consideration. Fulbright-Hays offers grants to doctoral students conducting research abroad... Read More
The Immigration Ban Harms Us All
The Trump administration’s executive order of 27 January 2017 temporarily bans citizens from seven countries with predominantly Muslim populations (Syria, Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Libya, Somalia, and Sudan) from entering the United States. In a statement released in February 2017, the Modern Language Association’s Executive Council strongly denounced the order. Article 13(2) of the United... Read More
Repeal of Obamacare Would Be a Blow for Adjuncts
For teachers who struggle to pay for their own health insurance, losing Obamacare could put their coverage—and health—in jeopardy.
Liberal Arts Majors Will Win the Robot War
A Google executive explains why students who major in the liberal arts will be better prepared to get the jobs that robots just can’t do.
Reverse the Decline in Language Education
Fewer Americans are studying languages, putting the US behind other countries. The solution: hire more language teachers to close the gap.
MLA Speaks Out on Wage Controversy
"Pure exploitation," says the MLA's executive director about a recently posted job that would pay well below the MLA's recommended levels.
Fair Wages for Part-Time Faculty Members
Too often, adjunct or part-time faculty members are underpaid: while they often perform the same duties as their full-time colleagues, part-time faculty members routinely receive only a fraction of the pay and none of the basic benefits, like health care, that their full-time colleagues enjoy. To help address this disparity and suggest practical guidelines for... Read More