Universities Exploiting Students: The Dark Academic Truth Revealed

Universities have long been criticized for exploiting students for their own financial gain. This exploitation takes many forms, from the use of student discounts to encourage higher spending, to the targeting of federal student aid and tuition fees, and the underpayment of student workers. With tuition fees and related costs rising, universities are becoming increasingly inaccessible to those who are not from wealthy backgrounds. This issue is further exacerbated by the declining state and federal investment in higher education, as well as the rise of student debt. In addition, universities have been accused of exploiting international students by offering them teaching positions with low pay and limited working rights due to their student visas.

Universities exploit students' labour by paying them low wages for teaching work

Universities have been criticised for exploiting students' labour by paying them low wages for teaching work. This is particularly common for international students, who are hired as language assistants or instructors for "less commonly taught languages". Universities are not required to pay these students any wages and often offer them a small monthly stipend or free room and board in exchange for their labour. This form of compensation is often significantly less than what full-time lecturers or language instructors are paid, resulting in a high surplus value for the university.

At some universities, international students are paid an extremely low wage for their teaching work, such as $12 per hour at Grinnell College, which is not considered a living wage. In other cases, students are not paid at all, and their labour is framed as a "great opportunity" to earn some money while studying and socialising abroad. This exploitation is facilitated by the constraints these students face in finding alternative employment due to their visa status.

Additionally, universities often rely on graduate students to teach introductory courses, and these student workers are typically paid between $13,000 and $34,000 per year, which is not a living wage, even at elite universities. Graduate students trained to be professors may struggle to find academic jobs, and many academics are unable to secure tenure-track positions, leading to precarious work and low wages.

The exploitation of student labour is further evidenced by the suppression of criticism and the normalisation of exploitative practices. At Grinnell College, the student newspaper faced obstacles in reporting on the underpayment of language assistants, possibly due to a gag order from the university. Exploitation is also prevalent in other aspects of the university system, such as high tuition fees and the commercialisation of student discounts, contributing to the financial burden on students.

Students are vulnerable to data, idea, and material theft by colleagues and supervisors

Students are vulnerable to theft of their data, ideas, and materials by their colleagues and supervisors. This is a deep cultural anxiety that affects PhD students more than almost any other member of the academic community. The PhD is built on the idea that knowledge can be 'owned' and people can profit from it. Profit in academia can come in the form of recognition, fame, and money in the form of promotions.

PhD students are particularly vulnerable to idea theft, sometimes by supervisors, and sometimes by colleagues publishing findings on the same topic just before they submit. While it is important to socialise one's ideas to lay claim to them, it is a challenge to do so without circulating ideas that are poorly expressed or incorrect. PhD students must also navigate the complexities of acknowledging the work of others while maintaining claims to the original, independent generation of ideas.

Students can protect themselves by having a trusted, more experienced person check their work before making it public. A good supervisor can help them find the balance between sharing and protecting their work. Students can also encourage others to talk about their ideas by showing interest in what they have to say, thereby learning from them while protecting their own intellectual property.

Theft of data, ideas, and materials is just one way in which universities exploit students. Universities have also been criticised for profiting from student expenses and tuition fees, and for targeting young people with discounts to encourage them to spend more, thereby injecting revenue into the economy.

Student discounts and vouchers encourage students to spend more, boosting the economy

Student discounts and vouchers are a common marketing strategy used by businesses to attract the student demographic and increase their customer base. While these offers are often seen as a positive way for students to save money, there is a growing debate about whether they encourage students to spend more and boost the economy.

Student discounts are typically offered by retailers, restaurants, and service providers, ranging from clothing and food to electronics and software. These discounts can vary from 10% to 50% off, with some companies even providing vouchers or special deals. For example, students can receive discounts at popular stores like Pretty Little Thing, Zizzi's, and Apple.

The economic rationale behind student discounts is a concept known as price discrimination. This strategy involves charging different prices to different groups of consumers based on their price sensitivity and willingness to pay. Students, due to their lower disposable income, are more price-sensitive than adults with full-time jobs. A small increase in price could make a product or service unaffordable for students. By offering discounts, companies make their products more accessible to this demographic and potentially increase their profits.

While student discounts provide a financial benefit to students, there is a concern that they may contribute to increased spending and boost the economy. With the average university student already spending a significant amount each month, as suggested by a survey by Save the Student, discounts could encourage students to spend more than they otherwise would. The perception of saving money through discounts may influence students' purchasing decisions, leading to higher overall expenditure.

Additionally, universities themselves may contribute to this dynamic by marketing their facilities and creating an illusion of affordability. The higher education system, with its focus on tuition fees and student expenses, has been criticized for potentially exploiting students' spending power and contributing to their financial burden.

The higher education system exploits students by profiting from their expenses and tuition fees

The higher education system has been criticised for exploiting students by profiting from their expenses and tuition fees. This exploitation has been exacerbated by the shift towards neoliberalism in universities, which has seen public goods funnelled into private hands. In this model, universities operate as predatory financial giants, leveraging student debt and the precarious academic job market to their advantage.

Tuition fees and student expenses are significant sources of revenue for universities. Students are often burdened with substantial debt upon graduation, which is difficult to repay in today's labour and housing markets. At the same time, universities market themselves and their facilities to prospective students, creating an illusion of affordability and obscuring the reality of the expenses involved.

Student discounts offered by various companies also play a role in this dynamic. While these discounts may seem beneficial, they contribute to a larger pattern of exploitation by encouraging students to spend more. For example, a 10% discount on a £20 order results in a meagre £2 savings, barely covering standard delivery charges. Despite this, students are led to believe they are getting a good deal, prompting them to spend beyond their means.

Additionally, universities have been accused of exploiting their students' labour. This is particularly evident in the case of international students, who are hired as language assistants or teaching assistants for supplemental labour. While this work is framed as a "great opportunity", the wages offered are often insufficient, with some universities paying as little as £12 per hour, which is not a living wage. Graduate students, who are typically paid between £13,000 and £34,000 per year, and adjunct faculty members, who are paid per course, also face exploitative working conditions.

The higher education system's focus on profit has led to a disregard for student well-being. Mental health issues among PhD students, for instance, are alarmingly common, with over 30% developing psychiatric conditions. This is largely due to the stressful environment, huge workloads, and poor mental health support within universities. Despite this, universities often fail to recognise the severity of the situation due to the normalisation of these issues in academia.

Poor mental health, huge workloads, and stressful environments are common in universities

Poor mental health, huge workloads, and stressful environments are prevalent issues in universities. The transition to higher education is often a critical juncture in a young person's life, bringing significant adjustments and high expectations for academic performance. The pressure to excel academically is often the most prominent stressor, with 87% of US college students citing education as their primary source of stress. Other academic stressors include a heavy workload, the need for effective time management, classroom competition, and adapting to new learning methods.

Financial concerns are also a significant contributor to stress and poor mental health. The introduction and subsequent increase in tuition fees have resulted in students graduating with substantial debt, with the poorest students often bearing the heaviest financial burden. The link between financial strain and mental health is evident, and the growing financial demands on students contribute to an already stressful environment.

The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated these issues, bringing to light the need for improved mental health support and resources on college campuses. While requests for professional support have increased, only a third of students with mental health issues in the UK seek counselling services. Stigma and lack of awareness about available support options pose barriers to students accessing the help they need.

To address these concerns, universities should focus on creating more equitable and inclusive environments that encourage all students, especially those from marginalised communities, to seek mental health support without fear of judgement. Interventions such as cognitive-behavioural therapy, mindfulness meditation, and online coping tools have proven effective in enhancing resilience and improving mental well-being. Additionally, telemental health resources can improve access to care for at-risk students.

Frequently asked questions