Dr. Vern Baxter earned his doctorate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and is Chair of the Department of Sociology at the University of New Orleans. Dr. Baxter has a wide range of research interests in sociology, including urban sociology, political economy, cultural sociology, social theory, and the sociology of work and organizations. His early work focused on technological change and the organization of work, culminating in publication of a book entitled, Labor and Politics in the U.S. Postal Service (Plenum). He has published quantitative research on oil industry restructuring, the governance of intercollegiate athletics, and neighborhood change in New Orleans. He has also published a variety of theoretical and historical articles on the construct of honor, postal service politics, and intercollegiate athletics. Recent research includes an article published in 2014 on environmental hazards and land speculation in New Orleans East (Antipode), and a longitudinal study of the experience of disaster with Steve Kroll-Smith and Pam Jenkins (Contingency, Class, and Miss Katrina, University of Texas, November 2014). Courses recently offered by Dr. Baxter include research design, urban sociology, and advanced sociological theory for graduate students; and social organization, sociology of popular culture, research methods, sociology of sport, and introduction to sociology for undergraduates.
Regarding his GMCB Keynote topic on higher education, in addition to his Department of Sociology work, Dr. Baxter serves as chair of the Academic Freedom, Tenure and Professional Ethics Committee within the UNO Faculty Senate, and is a part of the Save UNO Coalition. Louisiana public universities have suffered dramatic budget cuts in recent years -- and now face additional cuts projected to be from $211 - $500 million, as well as the prospect of program cuts and campus closures.
Location:
Community Church Unitarian Universalist
6690 Fleur de Lis Drive. New Orleans
(This GMCB is a change from our Uptown location. Due to minefield-like road conditions, attenders are urged to reach the church via 38th Street from Pontchartrain Blvd.)
10am - Progressive, Social Justice Community Networking
with Coffee, Juice and Light Breakfast Pastries*
11am - Noon- Featured Presentation
*$3.00 suggested donation
Held every second Saturday of each month, the Gillespie Memorial Community Breakfast has been a project of the First Unitarian Universalist Church Social Justice Committee
since May 1983.
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