The Commuter Campus: Unravelling Neoliberal Higher Education's Failure in Fostering Multiculturalism in Canada


Mojtaba Rostami, University of Calgary

Neoliberal policies in higher education, emphasizing privatization and reduced government funding, have shifted the financial burden of post-secondary education onto students, making it an expensive endeavour. Interviews with student leaders from four Alberta universities highlight broader impacts beyond financial strain, including diminished social interactions and intercultural contact due to off-campus work demands. These conditions hinder the development of an inclusive campus culture, allowing microaggressions and stereotypes to persist. The study reveals a significant erosion of the social aspects of university life, criticizing the neoliberal approach for failing to foster cultural competence and inclusivity. Recommendations are made for enhancing social life and intercultural training in higher education.

This paper will be presented at the following session: