The normally vacant spot that used to house the Oasis dining facility was home to about 30 people today as they crowded around Mark Scarcelli to hear about the danger of education cuts and the decline of the middle class.
Scarcelli, a visiting assistant professor of political science, spoke today as part of a “Free School” project put on by the organizers of the Occupy OhioU demonstration. Various Ohio University faculty members will be speaking throughout the week on topics relevant to the protest.
Education is a service that most people, even “staunch conservatives,” agree should be provided by government, Scarcelli said.
“Education is also driving the economy in the private sector,” he said. “It’s one of those government resources that people seem to take for granted.”
The education sector has been subject to deep cuts, including the layoff of more than 200,000 teachers since the beginning of the United States’ financial crisis in 2008.
This strategy is very counterintuitive, Scarcelli said.“The idea that we simply can’t afford to reinvest in education is unacceptable,” he said.
Scarcelli added that previous investments in education have paid for themselves over and over again, specifically referencing the G.I. Bill.
“We are global leaders because of our innovation and our education,” he said.
bv111010@ohiou.edu
