The Lives of Campus Custodians: Insights into Corporatization

The Lives of Campus Custodians: Insights into Corporatization and Civic Disengagement in the Academy

This unique study uncovers the lives and working conditions of a group of individuals who are usually rendered invisible on college campuses--the custodians who daily clean the offices, residence halls, bathrooms and public spaces. In doing so it also reveals universitiesâ€™ equally invisible practices that frequently contradict their espoused values of inclusion and equity, and their profession that those on the margins are important members of the campus community.

This vivid ethnography is the fruit of the yearâ€™s fieldwork that Peter Magoldaâ€™s undertook at two universities. His purpose was to shine a light on a subculture that neither decision-makers nor campus community members know very much about, let alone understand the motivations and aspirations of those who perform this work; and to pose fundamental questions about the moral implications of the corporatization of higher education and its impact on its lowest paid and most vulnerable employees.

Working alongside and learning about the lives of over thirty janitorial staff, Peter Magolda becomes privy to acts of courage, resilience, and inspiration, as well as witness to their work ethic, and to instances of intolerance, inequity, and injustices. We learn the stories of remarkable people, and about their daily concerns, their fears and contributions.

Peter Magolda raises such questions as: Does the academy still believe wisdom is exclusive to particular professions or classes of people? Are universities really inclusive? Is addressing service workersâ€™ concerns part of the mission of higher education? If universities profess to value education, why make it difficult for those on the margins, such as custodians, to â€œget educated.â€

The book concludes with the research participantsâ€™ and the authorâ€™s reflections about ways that colleges can improve the lives of those whose underpaid and unremarked labor is so essential to the smooth running of their campuses.

Appendices provide information about the research methodology and methods, as well as a discussion of the influence of corporate managerialism on ethnographic research.
Country USA
Brand Stylus Publishing (VA)
Manufacturer Routledge
Binding Paperback
ReleaseDate 2016-04-13
UnitCount 1
EANs 9781620364604

Country	USA
Brand	Stylus Publishing (VA)
Manufacturer	Routledge
Binding	Paperback
ReleaseDate	2016-04-13
UnitCount	1
EANs	9781620364604

The Lives of Campus Custodians: Insights into Corporatization and Civic Disengagement in the Academy

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