Form me this is a 44 year running conversation. My brother in 1968 gets paid 500 dollars per semester plus full scholarship while I busted and broke my body chasing a wet dream on the diamond. So yes, I know about your sacrifice.
And lest you argue, ah look at the revenue we bring to the university. Hmmmm, I can think of many students in academia generating revenue in research, patents etc. AND while they are not busting their body as you had to, they very well may be spending far more hours on their projects than you.
In my era, we used to call it "choices" while undoubtedly you call it exploitation.
In the end I would have never traded the choices I made with the experience I gained, lessons I learned, becoming a better person. That mental toughness I learned then is serving me now.
I understand your view; I can’t stand fostered victimization.
No one forced me to do it, and it was 120,000 to 150,000 dollar scholarship. My education of stats and economic benefited me, and led me on a career path.
But, academics is full-time task, couple that with a d1 football program, the university got revenue dollars on a nickel and I was forced I to a level of living just above poverty.
I had no idea the demand.