@fifilamoura @GwladysPendlebury @donaldball @alexwild
I do think it’s important to recognize that the commodification of education (US News rankings!) and the strip-mining wealth extraction the OP mentions are entangled but distinct phenomena. We’re under multi-pronged assault here.
FWIW, from the inside of higher ed, I’m heartened by the strength of the resistance I see — from college employees and also from students! There is hope. Liberal arts education is very much alive and fighting.