Scott continues his critique of anthropology degrees

By , Herald-Tribune
/ Tuesday, October 11, 2011

TALLAHASSEE

In a luncheon speech before a Tallahassee business group today, Gov. Rick Scott repeated his criticism that the state was spending too much of its higher education budget on degrees that would not necessarily translate into jobs.

Scott mingles with Tallahassee business leaders

“I got accused of not liking anthropologists the other day,” Scott said. “But just think about it, how many more jobs do think there are for anthropologists in the state?

“Do you want to use your tax dollars to educate more people who can’t get jobs in anthropology? I don’t. I want to make sure that we spend our dollars where people can get jobs when they get out.”

Turning to a veteran Tallahassee reporter, Scott also questioned the value of a degree in journalism.

“There’s a lot of jobs in journalism?” Scott rhetorically asked the reporter. “No, it’s tough.”

Here’s a Herald-Tribune story on Scott’s original criticism of the anthropology majors.

[poll id="20"]

Anthropologists say Rick Scott doesn’t understand their field

Rick Scott wants to shift university funding away from some degrees
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Lloyd Dunkelberger

Lloyd Dunkelberger is the Htpolitics.com Capital Bureau Chief. He can be reached by email or call (941) 315-0496. ""More Dunkelberger" Make sure to "Like" HT Politics on Facebook for all your breaking political news.
Last modified: October 11, 2011
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VIEWING 10 COMMENTS
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Steve
Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 3:34 pm

Being a parent of a third year pre-med student and struggling to get any sort of assistance through the state or federal government, I think state dollars should be applied to those students wishing to develop a career that assures them of financial security in the future. There is nothing stopping any of us to pursue post graduate classes in studies that we “enjoy”, not necessarily career builders.

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Denise
Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 3:58 pm

Maybe Rick Scott needs to go back to college and learn proper English. A little geography might also be a good idea. This is America, not Communist China. We have a choice concerning what we want to be when we grow up. Higher education is not the same as vocational schools. Think about it, what’s next, book banning in our public libraries?

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Phil White
Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 4:08 pm

It is clear that Scott does not understand something he wants to eliminate it. This says so much more about his limited world view than it does the state university system. He does not realize that many of the professionals in areas he does not comprehend are considered some of the best in their respective fields. It is because of his myopic understanding of life hat so many people fin him intolerable. Attitudes like his were appropriate during the days of the railroad robber barons and the culprits in the Tea Pot Dome scandal. If all he sees are dollars signs, then he has no cents (uh, sense).

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Ed
Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 5:08 pm

Let’s see…

Scott said no to the light rail line ($2+ billion for Florida jobs). Good construction jobs, too.

Scott wouldn’t meet with Jackson Labs, effectively killing their project here – more quality high tech jobs for Florida that will never happen.

Scott wants to sell off cheaply to cronies water quality preservation lands purchased at the top of the market, at a steep loss – effectively a tax increase (the difference between the price paid and the price the government will receive), and all the public will get for this is poisoned water and more strip malls and burger joints.

I guess Scott would approve of our state institutions of higher learning offering a degree in Burger Flipping.

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bob
Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 8:49 pm

What an idiot. What a total idiot. Perhaps he was thinking about trade schools when he said all majors should help create jobs. Wait, that means the government would be creating jobs by funding these programs and students. I thought Republicans believed that it was not the role of government to create jobs….although they forgot to tell the military, CIA, food safety inspectors, border guards and a whole bunch of other “government job holders”. Like Scott, the Republicans believe that only ‘certain’ jobs should be created by the government. Any of those that lead directly to war are ok, of course.

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Joseph Ancell
Tuesday, October 11, 2011 at 9:48 pm

Scott has consistently failed to produce the “let’s get to work” that all of the pre-tea party people voted for. If there is anyone to blame it is them. You wanted him, now you accept the blame for his inability to create the jobs he had his hand in giving away to other states.Don’t complain when your taxes are increased due to ineptitude.

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Sarah
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 1:33 pm

Scott’s youngest daughter was an anthropology major. He has a lot of nerve and is frankly hypocritical.

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Shana
Wednesday, October 12, 2011 at 2:13 pm

Forensic anthropologists help police to determine quickly if they’re investigating a murder, or need an archeologist – and if murder, can help determine ethnicity to narrow searches.Medical anthropologists help public health agencies understand the spread of infectious disease among ethnic populations that may fear vaccines.The Center for Disease Control in Atlanta hires anthropologists to interview study participants to understand which might not follow study directions.International corporations hire linguistic anthropologists to make sure they understand local language and customs. If Scott wants to eliminate a field of study that doesn’t lead to productive employment,he should get rid of political science.Too many politicians out there already.

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Hayley
Thursday, October 13, 2011 at 9:50 pm

I’m upset. Scott frustrates me.

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Chuck
Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 9:59 am

How is this education’s problem? He paid for his child to go to school and never once questioned the employment potential in that field. Colleges offer a wide range of degrees in order to meet a constantly changing workplace. If his kid chose poorly, that is totally his problem. Don’t take your disappointment out on the rest of the world.