An instance of dehumanization and bureaucratization in UBC

We talked in class today about how bureaucratization has become the dominant form of social organization in modern society. Its goal is to get things done efficiently, but this simultaneously strips the individual of their humanity and individuality.

An example that comes to mind is UBC's strict policies around course add/drop or withdrawal dates. It also attaches policies around the refund of tuition. It does allow students to have exceptions for personal, familial, or health circumstances; however, these reasons are subject to the scrutiny of a committee. If a student was to drop a course due to an extraneous reason that could not have been foreseen at the time of the deadline, they could still not get a tuition refund because their reasons were not significantly justified. Instead, the committee could just refer the student to an external help source like a counsellor. This is an instance where the student has to navigate the bureaucratic system in hopes of gaining an exception.

This makes students feel dehumanized and that their needs and end goals are controlled by a higher authority. Even the UBC slogan "tuum est" (it's up to you) can become a sort of misconception. We are often enchanted with the idea that we have the control and agency to make change happen. While this could be a possibility, we can't ignore the fact that we have to navigate the bureaucracy.

I agree that UBC is a prime example of bureaucracy, and that navigating its systems can be a dehumanizing experience for many students. However, I believe that when discussing the impersonal nature of UBC's bureaucratic systems one can fall into the trap of over-rationalizing UBC policies and treating UBC as a secular organization. While rationalization is an intrinsic component of bureaucratization, certain traditional values are transferred into university policies, such as the fact that all Christian observances are automatically made holidays while students of other faiths have to specifically have their holidays cleared by an adviser or professor. In such ways, although the bureaucratic systems at UBC may seem impersonal, certain groups of people are favored according to traditional value systems.

Bureaucratic processes are seen everywhere and it is important to consider how bureaucracy and capitalism go hand in hand. As a result of capitalist societies, bureaucracies are important to promote efficiency and predictability. Although individuals become subordinate to the processes of certain organizations, the bureaucracy often times maintains productivity. As you both mentioned, UBC is a great example of a bureaucracy. Without the implementation of its structure, it would be difficult for students to navigate through the different activities necessary to succeed at the university. However, I do agree that this process can be dehumanizing. I feel as though our individual freedom is sometimes limited because we must abide by certain rules but on the other hand, with the number of students at UBC, I can see how the bureaucracy has been created as a form of organization.

I agree with Tiffany's holistic view of the Bureaucracy. In the field of Sociology, we use our critical thinking to examine the impacts of social phenomenon, such as the abovementioned point. Nevertheless, every system has its limits, including Capitalism and Bureaucracy. Each system needs to promote efficiency and productivity to maintain itself. The fact that we can all use this online platform to generate discussion and attend our courses is a benefit of Bureaucracy. Sociology strives to enhance everyone's well-being, but this is on the grounds that the financial needs and productivity are met. Therefore, I appreciate the resources which I can use in terms of learning at UBC despite its Bureaucratic nature.

@BarbaraPeng I have to agree with TiffanyHanna's response, where although the UBC bureaucratic system may be de-humanizing in many aspects, the reasons for its policies and rules are put in place with the goal of promoting productivity. I have seen this system work in other places as well, such as the UBC Recreation centre that I work at. We have strict policies that we must enforce with the public, and these rules are seen to many as constricting and unfair (or "de-humanizing"), however these rules are in place due to efficiency reasons, as well as how Weber puts it, the desire to make it equal for everyone using bureaucracy as the enforcer. The fact that people do not like how we do not accept anyone missing their student cards (and forget their student number) into the gyms is our policy to ensure that everyone who is in fact a student and who has paid their student/rec fees does not get cheated by others who have not--for we have many people come in pretending they are students when they are actually alumni or students of other schools to get out of paying our drop-in rates. And if we are on the matter of discussing the problems of UBC's dehumanizing bureaucratic system, is there anyone with ideas on how to fix what they feel is not right?

This is definitely a circumstance which does make students feel dehumanized, especially when they have legitimate reasons for dropping a particular class but, past a certain deadline, that reason suddenly loses its validity.

This also makes me think of the over-rationalization in the process of taking time away from school when one is seriously sick, injured, or experienced the death of someone in their family. Someone might have to miss an exam or drop a class because their mother died, and yet advisors ask for proof of the death, despite how much it adds insult to injury. I think even people working in the UBC bureaucracy feel sympathetic, and yet, they must obey the established rules and principles that the bureaucratic structure demands.

Most people are understanding of personal tragedy, and they even empathize, but they are restricted from doing so and have to treat students in a very dehumanizing manner because they are a cog in this "bureaucratic machine," much like Marx's alienation of labour.