This article in the Daily Star may seem like a bunch of math, but it's one of the most critical and hard-hitting looks at the numbers game any paper has yet taken in this 'transformation process.' Complete with pdf.s, charts and photos, the Star walks you thorough the outrageous salary situation at the U of A. Since 2005 the number of employees whose salaries were paid 100% by the state and made over 100K/year increased by 53%. Can anyone recall what else has increased by nearly 53% since 2005? Tuition!
http://www.azstarnet.com/dailystar/272652.php
Is it ironic, then, that on the same day the news reports that as part of the auto industry bailout the top executives at those companies were given $1.6 billion in bonuses and perks?
Once again, Sallygradstudent urges top officials to take one for the team and reduce their salaries voluntarily for the short term. One of the best quotes in the Star article states that employees that currently make $16,000/year, some of whom have to rely on food stamps, should not be the ones to pick up the slack on this one. Despite the possible risk to long-term competitiveness when it comes to hiring (something the administration likes to shout into the wind while the university budget crumbles around them), a short-term salary reduction for the highest-paid officials would most likely improve morale, help form a feeling of comraderie, and most likely help keep a few jaded academics from jumping ship.
Almost no one gets into academia for the money. We hope that the administration will prove that they uphold the value of education in this state more than their own comfort.
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Friday, December 12, 2008
The Numbers
Salary of Arizona Governor Napolitano: $95,000.00
Salary of the President of the United States: $400,000.00
Salary of Pres. Shelton of the U of A: $570,000.00 (According to the Daily Wildcat)
From the Arizona Daily Star:
"Shelton and Boice spoke critically of the idea of having students control funding, saying that's what administrators are paid to do.
"If I'm not doing a proper job of that, then I should be removed from my job," Shelton said."
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/267690.php
In order to prove that they are not, in fact, cutting from the bottom in order to maintain their own comfort at the top, we at Sallygradstudent propose that all administrators making more than $200,000 a year (more than 9 times what a GAT makes) take a pay cut of 10%. Times are tough: for everyone.
Salary of the President of the United States: $400,000.00
Salary of Pres. Shelton of the U of A: $570,000.00 (According to the Daily Wildcat)
From the Arizona Daily Star:
"Shelton and Boice spoke critically of the idea of having students control funding, saying that's what administrators are paid to do.
"If I'm not doing a proper job of that, then I should be removed from my job," Shelton said."
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/267690.php
In order to prove that they are not, in fact, cutting from the bottom in order to maintain their own comfort at the top, we at Sallygradstudent propose that all administrators making more than $200,000 a year (more than 9 times what a GAT makes) take a pay cut of 10%. Times are tough: for everyone.
A State of Indecision
Check out Anne Denogean's sharp criticism of the recent back-and-forth tuition hearings. She really highlights what is key in this confusing turn of events:
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/local/104990.php
Was the vote turn-around, taking tuition increases from 3.7% up to 9.9% the result of pressure from the U of A administration on student leaders?
Meanwhile, State Rep. Pearce is still refusing to review the U of A construction projects, holding them up maybe forever.
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/local/104985.php
And in case you weren't depressed enough about the state of education in Arizona and the inability of our elected lawmakers to make clear and sustainable decisions, TUSD has announced that it will be cutting the language requirement at all of their schools:
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/frontpage/104945.php
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/271171.php
All we can picture is 20 years from now, when this particular budget crisis has passed, living in a state where education is undervalued and businesses do not thrive because the population has too few skilled workers.
We at Sallygradstudent challenge the lawmakers of the State of Arizona, the governing board of TUSD and the administration of all three universities to try a little harder.
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/local/104990.php
Was the vote turn-around, taking tuition increases from 3.7% up to 9.9% the result of pressure from the U of A administration on student leaders?
Meanwhile, State Rep. Pearce is still refusing to review the U of A construction projects, holding them up maybe forever.
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/local/104985.php
And in case you weren't depressed enough about the state of education in Arizona and the inability of our elected lawmakers to make clear and sustainable decisions, TUSD has announced that it will be cutting the language requirement at all of their schools:
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/frontpage/104945.php
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/271171.php
All we can picture is 20 years from now, when this particular budget crisis has passed, living in a state where education is undervalued and businesses do not thrive because the population has too few skilled workers.
We at Sallygradstudent challenge the lawmakers of the State of Arizona, the governing board of TUSD and the administration of all three universities to try a little harder.
Sunday, December 7, 2008
Turn of Events
After voting to cap tuition lower than Shelton requested, the Board of Regents then turned around and re-voted on the issue, giving the amount Shelton wanted.
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/local/104448.php
Although this means more tuition dollars for U of A in a time that it desperately needs them, it also means that the way in which we thought the Regents operated is apparently no longer the norm. Their ability to re-vote an already decided issue seems pretty scary to us here at Sallygradstudent.
In other news, and perhaps even more exciting, the Arizona Daily Star revealed that the University of Arizona has spent near $13 million on the designs for the Rio Nuevo Science Center (including the now-scrapped Rainbow Bridge). Much of that money came from tax payers, and much of it was apparently spend on meals, airfare, consulting fees, computers, software, etc. It seems, though, a great expense for something that is not yet off the ground and running.
http://www.azstarnet.com/business/270596.php
If we have to jack up tuition just to pay the bills and make ends meet, is it really a good idea to pour money into a project like this? How can we justify spending even one more dollar on this while the U of A is laying off local workers?
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/local/104448.php
Although this means more tuition dollars for U of A in a time that it desperately needs them, it also means that the way in which we thought the Regents operated is apparently no longer the norm. Their ability to re-vote an already decided issue seems pretty scary to us here at Sallygradstudent.
In other news, and perhaps even more exciting, the Arizona Daily Star revealed that the University of Arizona has spent near $13 million on the designs for the Rio Nuevo Science Center (including the now-scrapped Rainbow Bridge). Much of that money came from tax payers, and much of it was apparently spend on meals, airfare, consulting fees, computers, software, etc. It seems, though, a great expense for something that is not yet off the ground and running.
http://www.azstarnet.com/business/270596.php
If we have to jack up tuition just to pay the bills and make ends meet, is it really a good idea to pour money into a project like this? How can we justify spending even one more dollar on this while the U of A is laying off local workers?
Friday, December 5, 2008
There you have it
The Regents demolished Shelton's 'reduced' tuition plan by slashing it even more. Calling for predictable increases and citing that times are tough, the regents gave far less than expected, meaning that the U of A will come up $5million short next year, according to Shelton.
Some say it seems like an unfair punishment, directed specifically at U of A. Others say that austerity is necessary in this time of financial crisis. The president of the Regents had nothing but harsh words for those who voted for the lower increase. In this time in which it seems likely that a new governor who does not support public education is soon to take office, it is scary indeed to think that we will have to cut even more from the budget. At the same time, college is becoming outrageously expensive, considering what we were paying only a few years ago. As reported earlier this semester, tuition has gone up far more than the rate of inflation, especially in the last few years.
For those of us who have found the restructuring process to be too vague, too harsh and far too fast, look out. Regents recommend that Shelton show his administration can responsibly use tuition increases by accelerating the restructuring! With the winter break creeping up on us, and everyone too busy with papers, tests, teaching, service, committees and, oh yeah, family and friends, who will have the time and energy to monitor this process?
http://www.azstarnet.com/dailystar/270280.php
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/local/104346.php
Looking for a good place to start? Check out the blog posting below, in which Renee Schafer Horton recounts Wanda Howell (faculty senate chair)'s point-blank criticism of Provost Hay's unwillingness to make a personal sacrifice in these 'hard times.'
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/byauthor/104238
This is why Sallygradstudent requests that all administration take an immediate, voluntary pay cut, not only to help support the budget, but to show solidarity with all of the other employees whose livelihoods hang in the balance.
Looks like someone else has also had this idea. Check out this letter to the editor of the Tucson Citizen:
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/related/104254
Some say it seems like an unfair punishment, directed specifically at U of A. Others say that austerity is necessary in this time of financial crisis. The president of the Regents had nothing but harsh words for those who voted for the lower increase. In this time in which it seems likely that a new governor who does not support public education is soon to take office, it is scary indeed to think that we will have to cut even more from the budget. At the same time, college is becoming outrageously expensive, considering what we were paying only a few years ago. As reported earlier this semester, tuition has gone up far more than the rate of inflation, especially in the last few years.
For those of us who have found the restructuring process to be too vague, too harsh and far too fast, look out. Regents recommend that Shelton show his administration can responsibly use tuition increases by accelerating the restructuring! With the winter break creeping up on us, and everyone too busy with papers, tests, teaching, service, committees and, oh yeah, family and friends, who will have the time and energy to monitor this process?
http://www.azstarnet.com/dailystar/270280.php
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/local/104346.php
Looking for a good place to start? Check out the blog posting below, in which Renee Schafer Horton recounts Wanda Howell (faculty senate chair)'s point-blank criticism of Provost Hay's unwillingness to make a personal sacrifice in these 'hard times.'
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/byauthor/104238
This is why Sallygradstudent requests that all administration take an immediate, voluntary pay cut, not only to help support the budget, but to show solidarity with all of the other employees whose livelihoods hang in the balance.
Looks like someone else has also had this idea. Check out this letter to the editor of the Tucson Citizen:
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/related/104254
Thursday, December 4, 2008
Recent News
The Arizona Board of Regents will soon be voting on the university presidents' proposals for tuition increases. Dr. Shelton has recently amended his proposal to slightly decrease the overall increase from about $696 down to $500 per semester for in-state undergraduates.
However, student groups on the U of A campus are not yet satisfied, and with good reason. They are calling for predictable increases in the coming years so that students will not get half way through a degree and then be forced to pay outrageous prices to finish it.
Student groups call for predictable tuition increases:
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2008/12/04/News/Asa-Proposal.Gains.Ground-3569602.shtml
Even CNN.com has picked up on the college crisis:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/personal/12/03/college.costs/index.html?iref=newssearch
What is particularly disconcerting is that no clear decisions have yet been made on the merging of some colleges and departments and that the university will be switching into winter break mode in a couple of weeks. Our biggest concern here at Sallygradstudent is that decisions will be made over break and implemented without the usual pomp and circumstance. This means that we could come back to a whole new system.
However, student groups on the U of A campus are not yet satisfied, and with good reason. They are calling for predictable increases in the coming years so that students will not get half way through a degree and then be forced to pay outrageous prices to finish it.
Student groups call for predictable tuition increases:
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2008/12/04/News/Asa-Proposal.Gains.Ground-3569602.shtml
Even CNN.com has picked up on the college crisis:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/LIVING/personal/12/03/college.costs/index.html?iref=newssearch
What is particularly disconcerting is that no clear decisions have yet been made on the merging of some colleges and departments and that the university will be switching into winter break mode in a couple of weeks. Our biggest concern here at Sallygradstudent is that decisions will be made over break and implemented without the usual pomp and circumstance. This means that we could come back to a whole new system.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Failing to Invest in our Future
The GAT roundtable didn't result in many concrete decisions yesterday afternoon, but it did raise several highly important issues and bring them to the attention of the president of the university. Whether he will choose to act on them remains to be seen.
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2008/11/20/News/Budget.Woes.Hurting.Tas-3554817.shtml
Some themes were constant:
1) The need for more training of graduate student teachers. This would not only make their jobs easier, but also reduces hassles, makes teaching across departments more consistent and cuts down on problems later (such as grade appeals, conflicts, etc). There is no reason not to invest in better teacher training, and graduate credit should be given to GATs who complete these courses.
2) Interdisciplinary students (like Genetics, Mexican American Studies, Latin American Studies, etc) have a hard time getting jobs and have to basically go door-to-door every semester to solicit employment. It was suggested that some kind of database for GATs could be set up so that departments seeking GATs could view all of the eligible candidates at once and make it more likely for students to get employed if they want to be.
3) International students are in a particularly hard place with the cut-backs because their immigration status depends on their being consistently employed. It was suggested that some kind of cushion be built into programs so that there could be a one semester grace period for GATs or RAs who can't find employment. This would keep them from being essentially thrown out of the country with no notice and no time to make arrangements.
4) Large class sizes mean more work for TAs and less educational value for students. With more students, assignments have to be cut back, feedback needs to be shorter and not as thorough, and students do not learn as well. GATs stressed that this is not simply a matter of workload or of teaching a particular subject. GATs teach critical thinking skills that are necessary to survive in this competitive economic climate. Compromising education at this juncture will lead to an inevitable "dumbing down" of Arizona.
5) There seems to be a consistent disparity between workload and compensation that needs to be worked on.
Our favorite quotes from Shelton himself:
There has been a "graduate erosion of graduate compensation" as a result of underfunding graduate students.
"None of this is an excuse for not treating people as well as we can."
"A compromise for a short time in the quality of education may be necessary."
We "want to avoid sharp edges in the transition process."
"I believe in lower tuition."
"They [undergraduates] are paying more and getting less."
He also suggested a central clearinghouse of TAs who are qualified to teach in more than one department. The administration is also working on a way to help tuition dollars follow student credit hours. They want to make Tier I and II credits more flexible so that they can be taught in more places and/or combined.
Perhaps most shocking was an account of one student whose program stopped hiring GATs in 2007, but still requires graduate students to teach as part of their program requirements. This means that this particular student has been obligated to teach for free this semester with no compensation in terms of salary, health or tuition. Shelton insisted that this must be an isolated case and that he will investigate. He admitted that if this case is true, that it is similar to "slave labor," and we at Sallygradstudent agree.
Shelton spoke for a while about the consistent failure of the state to invest in public education at all levels. It seems that individuals are unwilling to fund anything that they do not see as directly benefiting themselves.
If Arizona wants to compete in this economy, we need to educate our population. Businesses do not locate themselves in an area of unqualified workers. Educating the public is not about creating some elite class of intellectuals. It is about attracting skilled jobs that will ultimately benefit the state. The less we invest in public education, the more we mortgage our future.
Write to your state representative or to the governor and tell them what you think.
http://az.gov/webapp/portal/topic.jsp?id=1165
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2008/11/20/News/Budget.Woes.Hurting.Tas-3554817.shtml
Some themes were constant:
1) The need for more training of graduate student teachers. This would not only make their jobs easier, but also reduces hassles, makes teaching across departments more consistent and cuts down on problems later (such as grade appeals, conflicts, etc). There is no reason not to invest in better teacher training, and graduate credit should be given to GATs who complete these courses.
2) Interdisciplinary students (like Genetics, Mexican American Studies, Latin American Studies, etc) have a hard time getting jobs and have to basically go door-to-door every semester to solicit employment. It was suggested that some kind of database for GATs could be set up so that departments seeking GATs could view all of the eligible candidates at once and make it more likely for students to get employed if they want to be.
3) International students are in a particularly hard place with the cut-backs because their immigration status depends on their being consistently employed. It was suggested that some kind of cushion be built into programs so that there could be a one semester grace period for GATs or RAs who can't find employment. This would keep them from being essentially thrown out of the country with no notice and no time to make arrangements.
4) Large class sizes mean more work for TAs and less educational value for students. With more students, assignments have to be cut back, feedback needs to be shorter and not as thorough, and students do not learn as well. GATs stressed that this is not simply a matter of workload or of teaching a particular subject. GATs teach critical thinking skills that are necessary to survive in this competitive economic climate. Compromising education at this juncture will lead to an inevitable "dumbing down" of Arizona.
5) There seems to be a consistent disparity between workload and compensation that needs to be worked on.
Our favorite quotes from Shelton himself:
There has been a "graduate erosion of graduate compensation" as a result of underfunding graduate students.
"None of this is an excuse for not treating people as well as we can."
"A compromise for a short time in the quality of education may be necessary."
We "want to avoid sharp edges in the transition process."
"I believe in lower tuition."
"They [undergraduates] are paying more and getting less."
He also suggested a central clearinghouse of TAs who are qualified to teach in more than one department. The administration is also working on a way to help tuition dollars follow student credit hours. They want to make Tier I and II credits more flexible so that they can be taught in more places and/or combined.
Perhaps most shocking was an account of one student whose program stopped hiring GATs in 2007, but still requires graduate students to teach as part of their program requirements. This means that this particular student has been obligated to teach for free this semester with no compensation in terms of salary, health or tuition. Shelton insisted that this must be an isolated case and that he will investigate. He admitted that if this case is true, that it is similar to "slave labor," and we at Sallygradstudent agree.
Shelton spoke for a while about the consistent failure of the state to invest in public education at all levels. It seems that individuals are unwilling to fund anything that they do not see as directly benefiting themselves.
If Arizona wants to compete in this economy, we need to educate our population. Businesses do not locate themselves in an area of unqualified workers. Educating the public is not about creating some elite class of intellectuals. It is about attracting skilled jobs that will ultimately benefit the state. The less we invest in public education, the more we mortgage our future.
Write to your state representative or to the governor and tell them what you think.
http://az.gov/webapp/portal/topic.jsp?id=1165
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
GAT Roundtable
Pres. Shelton will be attending a GAT roundtable this afternoon from 4:45-5:45 in ADMIN 712, Regent's room. GATs will be given a chance to explain their concerns as they relate to teaching, such as class size, workload, compensation, benefits, etc. There is room for 5 people who are not participating to observe, but they will not be allowed to speak during the roundtable.
If you are interested in attending, get there early.
For more info, e-mail your GPSC: gpsc@email.arizona.edu
If you are interested in attending, get there early.
For more info, e-mail your GPSC: gpsc@email.arizona.edu
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
The Numbers
Salary of Arizona Governor Napolitano: $95,000.00
Salary of the President of the United States: $400,000.00
Salary of Pres. Shelton of the U of A: $570,000.00 (According to the Daily Wildcat)
From the Arizona Daily Star:
"Shelton and Boice spoke critically of the idea of having students control funding, saying that's what administrators are paid to do.
"If I'm not doing a proper job of that, then I should be removed from my job," Shelton said."
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/267690.php
In order to prove that they are not, in fact, cutting from the bottom in order to maintain their own comfort at the top, we at Sallygradstudent propose that all administrators making more than $200,000 a year (more than 9 times what a GAT makes) take a pay cut of 10%. Times are tough: for everyone.
Salary of the President of the United States: $400,000.00
Salary of Pres. Shelton of the U of A: $570,000.00 (According to the Daily Wildcat)
From the Arizona Daily Star:
"Shelton and Boice spoke critically of the idea of having students control funding, saying that's what administrators are paid to do.
"If I'm not doing a proper job of that, then I should be removed from my job," Shelton said."
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/267690.php
In order to prove that they are not, in fact, cutting from the bottom in order to maintain their own comfort at the top, we at Sallygradstudent propose that all administrators making more than $200,000 a year (more than 9 times what a GAT makes) take a pay cut of 10%. Times are tough: for everyone.
Word of the Day: Tuition
From the Tucson Citizen on last night's tuition hearing:
"At the hearing, Stephen Bieda III, president of the UA Graduate and Professional Student Council, said regents should consider graduate students' value to the university in setting tuition hikes for graduate students. Bieda said graduate students "contributed to many of the grants and projects" that attracted "more than $530 million in research dollars" in fiscal 2005."
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/local/102936.php
Also check out the two articles from the University Daily Wildcat, in which student leaders call for predictable and affordable increases in tuition in line with cost-of-living (3% per year).
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2008/11/18/News/Asa-Asua.United.On.Tuition.Response-3549600.shtml
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2008/11/18/News/Challenging.Times-3549563.shtml
From the Arizona Daily Star:
Student leaders propose allowing student priorities to determine the way certain money is spent (9%):
"Shelton and Boice spoke critically of the idea of having students control funding, saying that's what administrators are paid to do.
"If I'm not doing a proper job of that, then I should be removed from my job," Shelton said.
The student proposal would require all three universities to show exactly where tuition dollars are spent, Rigazo said.
He said having each university put out a budget, with the state tax dollars and tuition revenues jumbled together, provides little assistance for students to determine if their funds are being properly used. "
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/267690.php
One more: The Daily Wildcat printed an opinion article on the State attempting to take the 'surplus' tuition to pay its debt.
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2008/11/18/Opinions/Editorial.Regents.Not.Lawmakers.Should.Spend.Tuition.Funds-3549544.shtml?reffeature=htmlemailedition
"At the hearing, Stephen Bieda III, president of the UA Graduate and Professional Student Council, said regents should consider graduate students' value to the university in setting tuition hikes for graduate students. Bieda said graduate students "contributed to many of the grants and projects" that attracted "more than $530 million in research dollars" in fiscal 2005."
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/local/102936.php
Also check out the two articles from the University Daily Wildcat, in which student leaders call for predictable and affordable increases in tuition in line with cost-of-living (3% per year).
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2008/11/18/News/Asa-Asua.United.On.Tuition.Response-3549600.shtml
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2008/11/18/News/Challenging.Times-3549563.shtml
From the Arizona Daily Star:
Student leaders propose allowing student priorities to determine the way certain money is spent (9%):
"Shelton and Boice spoke critically of the idea of having students control funding, saying that's what administrators are paid to do.
"If I'm not doing a proper job of that, then I should be removed from my job," Shelton said.
The student proposal would require all three universities to show exactly where tuition dollars are spent, Rigazo said.
He said having each university put out a budget, with the state tax dollars and tuition revenues jumbled together, provides little assistance for students to determine if their funds are being properly used. "
http://www.azstarnet.com/allheadlines/267690.php
One more: The Daily Wildcat printed an opinion article on the State attempting to take the 'surplus' tuition to pay its debt.
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2008/11/18/Opinions/Editorial.Regents.Not.Lawmakers.Should.Spend.Tuition.Funds-3549544.shtml?reffeature=htmlemailedition
Monday, November 17, 2008
Stephen Bieda III, You're Our Hero
At the Tuition Hearing this evening (which was packed, standing room only) Stephen Bieda III, GPSC President, stood up for graduate student issues.
He proposes that graduate tuition waivers given to Research Associates and Assistants and Graduate Assistants and Associates in Teaching also cover fees. At present, fees are still passed on to graduate students.
He also stressed that graduate tuition should keep in line with undergraduate tuition and should not be increased disproportionately.
With 8,100 graduate students enrolled, 1,200 of whom are Research Assistants and Associates, research at this institution relies on the hard work of graduate student workers.
Bieda also highlighted that 48% of the university's instructional staff is comprised of graduate students. They are, indeed, a force to be reckoned with.
The final decision on tuition is to be made on Dec. 4th. If you weren't able to speak your mind at the meeting today, you can e-mail your concerns.
(The link below gives the addresses for the regents)
http://www.abor.asu.edu/1_the_regents/members/list.html
He proposes that graduate tuition waivers given to Research Associates and Assistants and Graduate Assistants and Associates in Teaching also cover fees. At present, fees are still passed on to graduate students.
He also stressed that graduate tuition should keep in line with undergraduate tuition and should not be increased disproportionately.
With 8,100 graduate students enrolled, 1,200 of whom are Research Assistants and Associates, research at this institution relies on the hard work of graduate student workers.
Bieda also highlighted that 48% of the university's instructional staff is comprised of graduate students. They are, indeed, a force to be reckoned with.
The final decision on tuition is to be made on Dec. 4th. If you weren't able to speak your mind at the meeting today, you can e-mail your concerns.
(The link below gives the addresses for the regents)
http://www.abor.asu.edu/1_the_regents/members/list.html
Tucson Citizen Calls Out Rep. Pearce
In a sharply written opinions article, the Tucson Citizen calls it like it is on Rep. Russell Pearce's attempt to overrule the entire state legislature and the governor.
By refusing to review millions of dollars of construction projects on the U of A campus, Pearce is essentially holding the projects hostage.
While we here at Sallygradstudent do not necessarily agree with 100% of the projects and the means through which they are being funded, we also cannot stand for one man attempting to exercise a dictatorial control over this democratic process.
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/frontpage/102669.php
Oh, and in case you don't remember, Russell Pearce was the state rep who pushed through the bill to require all public schools in AZ (including U of A) to have flags and the Constitution posted in classrooms. He didn't seem to have a problem pushing for the tens of thousands of dollars that cost!
By refusing to review millions of dollars of construction projects on the U of A campus, Pearce is essentially holding the projects hostage.
While we here at Sallygradstudent do not necessarily agree with 100% of the projects and the means through which they are being funded, we also cannot stand for one man attempting to exercise a dictatorial control over this democratic process.
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/frontpage/102669.php
Oh, and in case you don't remember, Russell Pearce was the state rep who pushed through the bill to require all public schools in AZ (including U of A) to have flags and the Constitution posted in classrooms. He didn't seem to have a problem pushing for the tens of thousands of dollars that cost!
ASUA Opposes 13% Tuition Increase
Shelton ignores the NAU's 4-year guarantee on tuition, which assures that students can rely on predictable tuition costs for their 4 years at the university.
The ASUA requests greater accountability on tuition increases, especially considering the 47% jump since 2005.
Another great article by Renee Schafer Horton:
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/frontpage/102634.php
Don't forget that you can speak your mind about tuition today from 5-7pm in Harvill 211 on the U of A campus.
The ASUA requests greater accountability on tuition increases, especially considering the 47% jump since 2005.
Another great article by Renee Schafer Horton:
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/frontpage/102634.php
Don't forget that you can speak your mind about tuition today from 5-7pm in Harvill 211 on the U of A campus.
Reminder about Tuition hearing today!
By University Communications November 15, 2008
The Arizona Board of Regents will hold its annual public hearings on proposed tuition rates on Nov. 17 at 5 p.m.
At the public interactive hearing, the regents will hear testimony and comments from the public, students and other interested parties regarding tuition and fees for students at The University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University and Arizona State University for the 2009-2010 academic year.
Comments at the tuition hearing will be heard on a first-come, first-served basis, rotating through participant sites around the state.
The UA locations for the hearing are as follows:
Tucson Campus: Harvill Building, Room 211
Sierra Vista: Administration Building, Room PMR-203
Douglas: UA South Douglas Campus, Room 127
UA Science and Technology Park: Building 9040, Room 2242
The Arizona Board of Regents is expected to vote on tuition rates and fees for 2009-2010 at its December meeting at Arizona State University.
Earlier this month, UA President Robert N. Shelton released his recommendations, which reflect the UA's determination to preserve the quality of the UA's educational experience at a time of diminishing state funding.
Shelton recommended the following tuition and fee adjustments:
Shelton is recommending that base undergraduate tuition be increased for Arizona residents by $659, to $5,933 for undergraduates, and to $6,723 for graduate students. For all non-resident students, tuition would rise by $2,575, to $20,983 for non-resident undergraduates and to $21,276 for non-resident graduate students.
Base tuition for UA South's in-state students would rise by $450 for undergraduates, to $5,053. UA South's in-state graduate students and all non-resident students would pay the same base tuition as their main campus peers.
Under Shelton's plan, tuition for UA medical students increase by $636 to $1,660, depending on the year they will graduate.
Existing student fees, which range from $201 to $257, would rise to cover increases in financial aid commitments and critical student services, by $45 to $67, depending on student classifications.
Shelton's recommendations include professional graduate program fees, special class fees and increased enrollment deposits.
"The University is highly sensitive to the financial constraints that students and their families experience during the present time," Shelton told regents in his written recommendations. "We look around us and see financial uncertainty locally and globally. We feel the impact institutionally, and our families and friends are impacted individually." Counterbalancing that economic uncertainty, Shelton said, is the certainty that students have expressed that they do not want the quality of their UA experience to diminish.
The Arizona Board of Regents will hold its annual public hearings on proposed tuition rates on Nov. 17 at 5 p.m.
At the public interactive hearing, the regents will hear testimony and comments from the public, students and other interested parties regarding tuition and fees for students at The University of Arizona, Northern Arizona University and Arizona State University for the 2009-2010 academic year.
Comments at the tuition hearing will be heard on a first-come, first-served basis, rotating through participant sites around the state.
The UA locations for the hearing are as follows:
Tucson Campus: Harvill Building, Room 211
Sierra Vista: Administration Building, Room PMR-203
Douglas: UA South Douglas Campus, Room 127
UA Science and Technology Park: Building 9040, Room 2242
The Arizona Board of Regents is expected to vote on tuition rates and fees for 2009-2010 at its December meeting at Arizona State University.
Earlier this month, UA President Robert N. Shelton released his recommendations, which reflect the UA's determination to preserve the quality of the UA's educational experience at a time of diminishing state funding.
Shelton recommended the following tuition and fee adjustments:
Shelton is recommending that base undergraduate tuition be increased for Arizona residents by $659, to $5,933 for undergraduates, and to $6,723 for graduate students. For all non-resident students, tuition would rise by $2,575, to $20,983 for non-resident undergraduates and to $21,276 for non-resident graduate students.
Base tuition for UA South's in-state students would rise by $450 for undergraduates, to $5,053. UA South's in-state graduate students and all non-resident students would pay the same base tuition as their main campus peers.
Under Shelton's plan, tuition for UA medical students increase by $636 to $1,660, depending on the year they will graduate.
Existing student fees, which range from $201 to $257, would rise to cover increases in financial aid commitments and critical student services, by $45 to $67, depending on student classifications.
Shelton's recommendations include professional graduate program fees, special class fees and increased enrollment deposits.
"The University is highly sensitive to the financial constraints that students and their families experience during the present time," Shelton told regents in his written recommendations. "We look around us and see financial uncertainty locally and globally. We feel the impact institutionally, and our families and friends are impacted individually." Counterbalancing that economic uncertainty, Shelton said, is the certainty that students have expressed that they do not want the quality of their UA experience to diminish.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Where is the breaking point?
Class sizes are getting bigger. Graduate funding is on the decline. The university's administration asks for your input and then disregards it. The state is laboring under a huge budget deficit and is using it as a convenient excuse to continue to underfund public education. Now it becomes clear that whole colleges can be merged at the wave of a hand and that the state believes it has the right to raid tuition dollars in order to cover its own debts.
Where is the breaking point? At what point do we take this to the streets?
Send us your feedback at sallygradstudent@gmail.com. We will not reveal your identity.
Where is the breaking point? At what point do we take this to the streets?
Send us your feedback at sallygradstudent@gmail.com. We will not reveal your identity.
Absolutely Outrageous
Shame on you, Rep. Russell Pearce. The State of Arizona is now planning to dip into "extra" tuition revenues to help ease the state's budget problems. Wait, we have EXTRA money?
http://www.azstarnet.com/business/267203.php
How can we continuously raise tuition and then send the money to the state? It is supposed to be the other way around: the state is supposed to be supporting the university.
This is another move that will inevitably dumb down our state's population. The universities are not cash cows for the state. They should not be raided like piggy banks. Figure out how to solve your own financial problems.
Shame on you.
http://www.azstarnet.com/business/267158.php
"And hours before Shelton spoke, members of a legislative committee began considering how they might use nearly $57 million in extra tuition money collected by all three universities, with some members saying that the money could be used to pay down the deficit."http://www.azstarnet.com/business/267203.php
How can we continuously raise tuition and then send the money to the state? It is supposed to be the other way around: the state is supposed to be supporting the university.
This is another move that will inevitably dumb down our state's population. The universities are not cash cows for the state. They should not be raided like piggy banks. Figure out how to solve your own financial problems.
Shame on you.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
COH + SBS = ????????
College of Humanities and Social and Behavioral Sciences were informed by the President and Provost that the two colleges will be merged. The Heads of the two colleges have been called to a meeting with the President and Provost on Monday.
As soon as we have updates about this, we will post more information.
At this point we can say the following:
It is critical that we question this apparently administratively imposed decision. It is also telling that this was not publicly announced by the president's office ahead of time. (We found out through our usual sources.) It is imperative that we demand answers about how much money this will actually save. Maybe you eliminate one dean's salary, but what about the other employees of the two colleges? With the same number of students to deal with and the same number of TAs to employ, how can we make sure things still run smoothly?
Will this forced merger help or harm our university?
As soon as we have updates about this, we will post more information.
At this point we can say the following:
It is critical that we question this apparently administratively imposed decision. It is also telling that this was not publicly announced by the president's office ahead of time. (We found out through our usual sources.) It is imperative that we demand answers about how much money this will actually save. Maybe you eliminate one dean's salary, but what about the other employees of the two colleges? With the same number of students to deal with and the same number of TAs to employ, how can we make sure things still run smoothly?
Will this forced merger help or harm our university?
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Notice of Public Tuition Hearing
It is the Arizona Board of Regents that ultimately approves or rejects Pres. Shelton's request for a 13% tuition increase for next year. They are the group charged with upholding the state's mission and the University of Arizona as a land-grant institution.
Hold them responsible for increasing the price of public education to the extent that it is now out of reach for so many struggling students.
Arizona Board of Regents
Monday, November 17, 2008
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
University of Arizona:
Tucson - Harvill Building, Room 211
http://www.abor.asu.edu/special_editions/tuition_hearings/tuition_hearing.htm
Tuition will have been raised 53% since 2005 if the newest hike passes. Ask what services are being provided to aid students in paying these increased costs. Ask where you can lobby for better state funding of our public university. Don't let politics dumb down our state. Arizona deserves well-educated residents.
Hold them responsible for increasing the price of public education to the extent that it is now out of reach for so many struggling students.
Arizona Board of Regents
Monday, November 17, 2008
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
University of Arizona:
Tucson - Harvill Building, Room 211
http://www.abor.asu.edu/special_editions/tuition_hearings/tuition_hearing.htm
Tuition will have been raised 53% since 2005 if the newest hike passes. Ask what services are being provided to aid students in paying these increased costs. Ask where you can lobby for better state funding of our public university. Don't let politics dumb down our state. Arizona deserves well-educated residents.
State of the University
Tomorrow Pres. Shelton will be giving his State of the University address. He will be discussing the restructuring and the Arizona Assure program.
Thursday, November 13th, beginning at 12:25 p.m. in the Student Union Grand Ballroom.
Thursday, November 13th, beginning at 12:25 p.m. in the Student Union Grand Ballroom.
If you are able to attend, we suggest you wear red for visual impact, much like at the GPSC meeting last week.
To watch Shelton's speech live, go to Arizona Public Media at ondemand.azpm.org/live.
The UA Channel - Cox Channel 116 and Comcast Channel 76 - will re broadcast the speech at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, 6 p.m. Friday and 8 p.m. Saturday.
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/frontpage/102322.php
Monday, November 10, 2008
GPSC Roundtable with Pres. Shelton
This is a great chance for Graduate Assistants in Teaching to get involved.
If your department or program is not participating, ask your representatives why not.
We here at Sallygradstudent highly suggest that you prioritize and bring a list of the things you feel are most important to graduate students and what you are and are not willing to sacrifice (ie. class sizes, benefits, work hours, classroom technology, travel and professional development support, quality faculty, reasonable pay, adequate facilities, access to library materials, etc.)
President Robert N. Shelton and Graduate Teaching Assistants
Chair: Stephen W. Bieda III, Graduate & Professional Student Body President
Date: Wednesday, November 19
Time: 4:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.
Location: ADMIN 712, Regent's Room
Dress: Business Casual
There will be 15 participants for the roundtable discussion, with the focus being specifically on GTA workloads/class sizes & the UATransformation. There is room for up to 5 more people to attend, but only the participants will be allowed to speak. Please note that all participants MUST arrive at 4:45 pm SHARP. The building doors automatically look at 5 pm, and no one will be available to let you in. The format of the discussion will include opening remarks from each of the participants (not to exceed 1 minute), closing remarks (not to exceed 1 minute) and free flowing discussion (30 minutes). Please feel free to e-mail Stephen Bieda III with your thoughts, concerns or recommendations about the format and my office & he will be more than happy to accommodate.
For more info, e-mail Stephen Bieda III at bieda@atmo.arizona.edu
If your department or program is not participating, ask your representatives why not.
We here at Sallygradstudent highly suggest that you prioritize and bring a list of the things you feel are most important to graduate students and what you are and are not willing to sacrifice (ie. class sizes, benefits, work hours, classroom technology, travel and professional development support, quality faculty, reasonable pay, adequate facilities, access to library materials, etc.)
President Robert N. Shelton and Graduate Teaching Assistants
Chair: Stephen W. Bieda III, Graduate & Professional Student Body President
Date: Wednesday, November 19
Time: 4:45 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.
Location: ADMIN 712, Regent's Room
Dress: Business Casual
There will be 15 participants for the roundtable discussion, with the focus being specifically on GTA workloads/class sizes & the UATransformation. There is room for up to 5 more people to attend, but only the participants will be allowed to speak. Please note that all participants MUST arrive at 4:45 pm SHARP. The building doors automatically look at 5 pm, and no one will be available to let you in. The format of the discussion will include opening remarks from each of the participants (not to exceed 1 minute), closing remarks (not to exceed 1 minute) and free flowing discussion (30 minutes). Please feel free to e-mail Stephen Bieda III with your thoughts, concerns or recommendations about the format and my office & he will be more than happy to accommodate.
For more info, e-mail Stephen Bieda III at bieda@atmo.arizona.edu
53% Tuition Increase since 2005
The University Daily Wildcat printed a sharp news article today on the tuition hikes. They also raise very important questions about how the money generated in these hikes will be spent. Interviewees express interest in increased club funding and better activities, but this seems to be the opposite of what the administration is looking to do. From the article:
“However, tuition hikes are nothing new to the UA. Tuition has been on a steady climb: in 2005 tuition and fees totaled $4,087; in 2008 it was $5,531 and next year, should the Regents pass the proposed raise in tuition, $6,257. This will mean since 2005, tuition at UA for an undergraduate will have increased 53 percent.”
“Should the tuition be raised according to Shelton's recommendation, the minimum increase every student at UA can expect will be $659. With the largest class in history, the school will generate at least $25 million in revenue. However, with out-of-state students, graduate students and college of medicine students paying more, that number should be much higher.”
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2008/11/10/News/Shelton.Proposes.659.InState.Tuition.Hike-3534212.shtml
How will the administration be spending that money? What other kind of business can justify a 53% price increase (well, except for the oil industry) and get away with it?
Write your ASUA president Tommy Bruce, or Provost Hay and ask them!
“However, tuition hikes are nothing new to the UA. Tuition has been on a steady climb: in 2005 tuition and fees totaled $4,087; in 2008 it was $5,531 and next year, should the Regents pass the proposed raise in tuition, $6,257. This will mean since 2005, tuition at UA for an undergraduate will have increased 53 percent.”
“Should the tuition be raised according to Shelton's recommendation, the minimum increase every student at UA can expect will be $659. With the largest class in history, the school will generate at least $25 million in revenue. However, with out-of-state students, graduate students and college of medicine students paying more, that number should be much higher.”
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2008/11/10/News/Shelton.Proposes.659.InState.Tuition.Hike-3534212.shtml
How will the administration be spending that money? What other kind of business can justify a 53% price increase (well, except for the oil industry) and get away with it?
Write your ASUA president Tommy Bruce, or Provost Hay and ask them!
Sunday, November 9, 2008
GAT Roundtable with Pres. Shelton
Dr. Hay (our new provost) is rumored to have asked 'exactly what goes on in a language classroom?' and also to have said that she can imagine 1,000 person lectures on the U of A campus. While these rumors are unconfirmed, the administration's actions seem to be moving in this very direction.
Some extremely important issues that the administration may need to be enlightened on are:
1) Better salaries and better health benefits attract better quality graduate students, which makes the university more competitive and more likely to attract excellent grants and faculty.
2) Well-funded, well-supported GATs are better at teaching undergraduates and help improve their experience at the university. Undergrads rely on graduate student teachers to teach them key concepts and give them adequate feedback. If one GAT has hundreds of students, there simply is not enough time to give all of them the face-to-face interaction they deserve.
3) GATs and graduate researchers are the bread and butter of the university. We teach the classes, we grade the papers, we conduct the research necessary to satisfy grant requirements, we write the reports, we conduct the experiments, we aid our faculty in conducting research, and we study, research, write and publish. And yet, we are routinely ignored in the political processes of the university. We are overworked and underpaid. Salaries, amount of hours worked and benefits are often higher at other universities. If we expect to be a world class university, we need to attract world class grad students.
If you are looking for a forum to express your concerns about the direction this university is taking in the Transformation process or if you want to make sure Shelton understands the important issues for GATs, please consider participating in this roundtable discussion. According to the GPSC president, there are several seats left.
The possible dates are:
Tuesday, Nov. 18, 3:30-4:30pm
OR
Wednesday, Nov. 19, 4:45-5:45pm
Please e-mail gpsc@email.arizona.edu with your name, department, and availability.
Some extremely important issues that the administration may need to be enlightened on are:
1) Better salaries and better health benefits attract better quality graduate students, which makes the university more competitive and more likely to attract excellent grants and faculty.
2) Well-funded, well-supported GATs are better at teaching undergraduates and help improve their experience at the university. Undergrads rely on graduate student teachers to teach them key concepts and give them adequate feedback. If one GAT has hundreds of students, there simply is not enough time to give all of them the face-to-face interaction they deserve.
3) GATs and graduate researchers are the bread and butter of the university. We teach the classes, we grade the papers, we conduct the research necessary to satisfy grant requirements, we write the reports, we conduct the experiments, we aid our faculty in conducting research, and we study, research, write and publish. And yet, we are routinely ignored in the political processes of the university. We are overworked and underpaid. Salaries, amount of hours worked and benefits are often higher at other universities. If we expect to be a world class university, we need to attract world class grad students.
If you are looking for a forum to express your concerns about the direction this university is taking in the Transformation process or if you want to make sure Shelton understands the important issues for GATs, please consider participating in this roundtable discussion. According to the GPSC president, there are several seats left.
The possible dates are:
Tuesday, Nov. 18, 3:30-4:30pm
OR
Wednesday, Nov. 19, 4:45-5:45pm
Please e-mail gpsc@email.arizona.edu with your name, department, and availability.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
On Shelton's Visit to KUAT
Shelton says he is trying to budget without harming the delivery of instruction. Where, exactly, is the breaking point? Can language and composition classes be taught in a 1,000 person auditorium? Can we really justify a system that allows even majors to take the bulk of their classes with hundreds of others, like the science student at the Town Hall who said he's never had a class in his field with under 200 students in it? Is that World Class? With ASU raising class sizes, isn't this an opportunity for U of A to provide an alternative to over-crowded degree-factories? Are we willing to stand up for what we believe in?
“Any way we can stop spending this fiscal year, we have taken those steps.” Really? Why are so many classrooms still freezing cold? Why are there still fresh flowers being planted on campus? Why aren't students being encouraged to help out the university by conserving energy?
Oh, yeah, and by the way, KUAT is a registered trademark of the Arizona Board of Regents. For those of us who still felt attached to the romantic notion of truly independent journalism, it was disappointing to realize this connection.
Contact Bill Buckmaster and ask him if he's taking dissenting opinions: http://about.azpm.org/contact/
“Any way we can stop spending this fiscal year, we have taken those steps.” Really? Why are so many classrooms still freezing cold? Why are there still fresh flowers being planted on campus? Why aren't students being encouraged to help out the university by conserving energy?
Oh, yeah, and by the way, KUAT is a registered trademark of the Arizona Board of Regents. For those of us who still felt attached to the romantic notion of truly independent journalism, it was disappointing to realize this connection.
Contact Bill Buckmaster and ask him if he's taking dissenting opinions: http://about.azpm.org/contact/
Things Just Don't Add Up
Check out this opinion article from the Tucson Citizen:
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/opinion/102013.php
In addition to pressing Shelton to make sure prices stay as low as possible for Arizonans seeking public higher education, the article says the following:
"The U.S. inflation rate is at 4.9 percent. The prospect of raising UA in-state student tuition by nearly triple that amount is stupefying.
The leap from $4,824 to $6,257 in two years is not only excessive, but also is completely contrary to the Arizona Constitution, which says a state university education "shall be as nearly free as possible.""
We agree with you, Tucson Citizen!
Let's examine some logical outcomes of pricing certain students out of the university system:
1) Poorer students will have little opportunity to lift themselves and their families out of poverty or near-poverty because they have less access to public education options.
2) "Public" education starts to look a lot like private education. Those who can afford it can have it and everyone else is excluded.
3) Shelton suggests that students get part-time jobs to offset the new increase in tuition, but the decline in the economy has made those jobs scarce. Even the U of A library stated that it will have to purge some 15 student workers next year. Where are these students supposed to earn the money to offset the cost of tuition now? If students work for the extra $726 (that's not including the new fee increases, just tuition) at minimum wage, that's 100 hours per semester (before taxes). How about we press Shelton to offer 100 hours of work to every undergraduate student who requests it? That would be sticking to his word.
4) If tuition prices are going up 13% and class sizes are getting larger, but inflation is only 4.9%, where is all that extra money going and what are the sacrifices we make in our quality of education?
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/opinion/102013.php
In addition to pressing Shelton to make sure prices stay as low as possible for Arizonans seeking public higher education, the article says the following:
"The U.S. inflation rate is at 4.9 percent. The prospect of raising UA in-state student tuition by nearly triple that amount is stupefying.
The leap from $4,824 to $6,257 in two years is not only excessive, but also is completely contrary to the Arizona Constitution, which says a state university education "shall be as nearly free as possible.""
We agree with you, Tucson Citizen!
Let's examine some logical outcomes of pricing certain students out of the university system:
1) Poorer students will have little opportunity to lift themselves and their families out of poverty or near-poverty because they have less access to public education options.
2) "Public" education starts to look a lot like private education. Those who can afford it can have it and everyone else is excluded.
3) Shelton suggests that students get part-time jobs to offset the new increase in tuition, but the decline in the economy has made those jobs scarce. Even the U of A library stated that it will have to purge some 15 student workers next year. Where are these students supposed to earn the money to offset the cost of tuition now? If students work for the extra $726 (that's not including the new fee increases, just tuition) at minimum wage, that's 100 hours per semester (before taxes). How about we press Shelton to offer 100 hours of work to every undergraduate student who requests it? That would be sticking to his word.
4) If tuition prices are going up 13% and class sizes are getting larger, but inflation is only 4.9%, where is all that extra money going and what are the sacrifices we make in our quality of education?
Friday, November 7, 2008
Paying more for less
Despite his insistence that the amount of the tuition hike was not determined and that it probably wouldn't be the maximum, Shelton is set to recommend just that to the Arizona Board of Regents.
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/local/101884.php
13% more, plus a virtual guarantee of larger classes mean that YOU ARE BEING ASKED TO PAY MORE FOR LESS.
Also, make sure to e-mail Shelton and ask him why the medical school students are being asked to pay a lesser increase in tuition than the rest of the university.
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/local/101884.php
13% more, plus a virtual guarantee of larger classes mean that YOU ARE BEING ASKED TO PAY MORE FOR LESS.
Also, make sure to e-mail Shelton and ask him why the medical school students are being asked to pay a lesser increase in tuition than the rest of the university.
Library Cuts
Well, it's confirmed again. The library will be forced not only to cut books, but also to reduce the number of e-journals and other resources students use. Now is your chance to do something:
Check out all of the books you've ever wanted to read. Browse through the e-journal resources like JSTOR as much as possible and download the articles you need. They may not be there tomorrow!
Check the library website at http://www.library.arizona.edu/ for more detailed information on how the cuts will be made.
We would like to congratulate the library for being reasonable during this unfortunate betrayal by the administration. Unlike the U of A's other administrative processes, this one will be transparent:
Don't let complacency overtake this transformation process. The economy is no excuse. Shelton promised when he was hired that he would protect the library FIRST. CHECK OUT BOOKS!
Check out all of the books you've ever wanted to read. Browse through the e-journal resources like JSTOR as much as possible and download the articles you need. They may not be there tomorrow!
Check the library website at http://www.library.arizona.edu/ for more detailed information on how the cuts will be made.
We would like to congratulate the library for being reasonable during this unfortunate betrayal by the administration. Unlike the U of A's other administrative processes, this one will be transparent:
"Due to inflation and a flat budget, the University Libraries must reduce its spending on information resources by $1.26 million dollars. This reduction will come primarily from cuts in the Library's book budget and thecancellation of journal and database subscriptions. How will we make these reductions? Reductions, as always, will be made in consultation with faculty, researchers, graduate students and other key stakeholders. We will also take into account campus priorities as they evolve from the Transformation Process and look forward to working with the campus on these issues.
[...]
Timetable
Sept-Dec 2008 Library identifies & compiles needed data & information about information resources
Nov-Dec 2008 Library identifies potential cancellations & reduction amounts
Jan-Feb 2009 Library solicits feedback from UA faculty, students, researchers &o ther key stakeholders on potential cancellations
Mar 31 2009 Cancellations for time-sensitive renewals will begin
Sept 2009 Final Report to Faculty on cancellations
Oct 2009 Final Cancellations
To communicate with the library about the spending reductions, please email spendingreductions@u.library.arizona.edu"
Don't let complacency overtake this transformation process. The economy is no excuse. Shelton promised when he was hired that he would protect the library FIRST. CHECK OUT BOOKS!
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Now's your chance!
This was sent around by the GPSC:
"Sending this announcement again: There are a few slots left. The date for thediscussion will be announced next week. Deadline to RSPV: Nov 6, 2008. Greetings from GPSC President Stephen Bieda--President Shelton would like to hold a roundtable discussion with graduate teaching assistants. This will be limited to 24 students.
The two dates he is available are:
Tuesday, Nov. 18, 3:30-4:30pm ORWednesday, Nov. 19, 4:45-5:45pm
The focus of the discussion is the transformation process and the budget. Please respond to the GPSC (gspc@email.arizona.edu) with the names and email addresses of teaching assistant and the date they can attend. Please put"Shelton TA discussion" in the subject line. We will send a message regarding the venue after the date is set.
Thank you for your interest in the Graduate and Professional StudentCouncil.
Office Location: Student Union 323
Website: https://www.email.arizona.edu/horde/services/go.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gpsc.arizona.edu
Mailing Address: PO Box 210066, Tucson, AZ 85721-0066
Campus Mail: Administration 322
Phone: 520 626 7526
Fax: 520 626 7526"
Sign up now if you want a slot!
"Sending this announcement again: There are a few slots left. The date for thediscussion will be announced next week. Deadline to RSPV: Nov 6, 2008. Greetings from GPSC President Stephen Bieda--President Shelton would like to hold a roundtable discussion with graduate teaching assistants. This will be limited to 24 students.
The two dates he is available are:
Tuesday, Nov. 18, 3:30-4:30pm ORWednesday, Nov. 19, 4:45-5:45pm
The focus of the discussion is the transformation process and the budget. Please respond to the GPSC (gspc@email.arizona.edu) with the names and email addresses of teaching assistant and the date they can attend. Please put"Shelton TA discussion" in the subject line. We will send a message regarding the venue after the date is set.
Thank you for your interest in the Graduate and Professional StudentCouncil.
Office Location: Student Union 323
Website: https://www.email.arizona.edu/horde/services/go.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gpsc.arizona.edu
Mailing Address: PO Box 210066, Tucson, AZ 85721-0066
Campus Mail: Administration 322
Phone: 520 626 7526
Fax: 520 626 7526"
Sign up now if you want a slot!
Monday, November 3, 2008
GPSC Meeting with Shelton
Shelton will be giving an hour of his time to hear the concerns of GPSC and graduate students at U of A. That seems less than we deserve, considering that graduate assistants teach and research for next to nothing and keep this university running. Even Shelton himself admitted in the Town Hall meeting that "graduate students are some of the hardest working people in this country." Make him stick to his word. Demand appropriate compensation and working conditions!
Wednesday, November 5 at 6 pm sharp, LAW 164. Wear red to make a visual statement that you will not be ignored!
Wednesday, November 5 at 6 pm sharp, LAW 164. Wear red to make a visual statement that you will not be ignored!
Opinion
Check out this sharply-written guest opinion for some serious insight on the restructuring process.
http://www.azstarnet.com/opinion/265097.php
Our favorite part about the article is that the author takes a wide view of the university as a whole and reasons why certain proposals would not work. Also, he includes graduate students in his analysis:
"Another feature of this plan is that graduate assistants will take on more teaching responsibilities. More teaching will slow the progress through their programs and will likely lower the quality of their research. It will also hinder recruitment of the best graduate students because those students will go to programs where they can teach less and focus more on their professional programs."
*If you get a chance, forward the article to your colleagues. Or, better yet, sign up for free so you can leave comments after the article. Even better, write your own opinion piece or letter to the editor and explain exactly how graduate students decide which school to attend and how the increased teaching load will change our ability to do quality research.
http://www.azstarnet.com/opinion/265097.php
Our favorite part about the article is that the author takes a wide view of the university as a whole and reasons why certain proposals would not work. Also, he includes graduate students in his analysis:
"Another feature of this plan is that graduate assistants will take on more teaching responsibilities. More teaching will slow the progress through their programs and will likely lower the quality of their research. It will also hinder recruitment of the best graduate students because those students will go to programs where they can teach less and focus more on their professional programs."
*If you get a chance, forward the article to your colleagues. Or, better yet, sign up for free so you can leave comments after the article. Even better, write your own opinion piece or letter to the editor and explain exactly how graduate students decide which school to attend and how the increased teaching load will change our ability to do quality research.
Saturday, November 1, 2008
New Stat Counter
Stand up (or click) and be counted! There is now a statcounter at the bottom of the blog that counts visits. It was installed last week and we've almost had 100 visits already! Please encourage your friends to check out sallygradstudent and to write e-mails or leave comments to any entry: sallygradstudent@gmail.com. We will never publish any identifying information about you. We will not be intimidated!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Library cuts (again)
Get your books while you still can:
The Tucson Citizen reports that the library will be taking yet another cut this year. That is in addition to the cut sustained last year, which was kept rather quiet. $1.2 million dollars less for our libraries means fewer student employees and fewer acquisitions. Part of the way the library will be determining what to cut is by checking the rate at which certain materials circulate.
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/byauthor/100431
This is why we propose the following:
All of those books you've been meaning to read some day....check them out now.
The journals you need to use...check them out now.
All of your most treasured books that you probably already own, but can recognize that it is extremely important that other students have access to them through the library system...check them out now.
No time to go hunt them down in the shelves? Take advantage of the paging service by logging on to your library account (upper right hand corner) and "page" the books ("recall or request this item"). They will appear for you the next day in the reserves section and you will be notified by e-mail. This will also highlight the importance of the paging service.
www.library.arizona.edu
Don't wait until the books are gone. Not having books because of censorship and not having books because of the economy amount to essentially the same thing: no books. Fight the administration's underfunding of our libraries! CHECK THE BOOKS OUT NOW!
The Tucson Citizen reports that the library will be taking yet another cut this year. That is in addition to the cut sustained last year, which was kept rather quiet. $1.2 million dollars less for our libraries means fewer student employees and fewer acquisitions. Part of the way the library will be determining what to cut is by checking the rate at which certain materials circulate.
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/byauthor/100431
This is why we propose the following:
All of those books you've been meaning to read some day....check them out now.
The journals you need to use...check them out now.
All of your most treasured books that you probably already own, but can recognize that it is extremely important that other students have access to them through the library system...check them out now.
No time to go hunt them down in the shelves? Take advantage of the paging service by logging on to your library account (upper right hand corner) and "page" the books ("recall or request this item"). They will appear for you the next day in the reserves section and you will be notified by e-mail. This will also highlight the importance of the paging service.
www.library.arizona.edu
Don't wait until the books are gone. Not having books because of censorship and not having books because of the economy amount to essentially the same thing: no books. Fight the administration's underfunding of our libraries! CHECK THE BOOKS OUT NOW!
Happy Halloween
Want to get really scared? Read Shelton and Hay's latest terror-infested e-mail to the campus community. Midterm cuts, fewer class offerings, departamental involuntary merging....it's all pretty horrifying.
Let's not forget for one second that this restructuring began long before the Wallstreet crash and at the very beginning of the biggest bite of the housing crisis. The economy has become a convenient scapegoat for what the administration seems to have been planning for quite some time. If you need evidence of that, just look to Eller's move to finally get rid of the public administration program. They tried it before, but failed....now the economy is to blame!
Part of the problem is that we look to the economy as the source of all power. If something good happens, we have the economy to thank. If something bad happens, the economy made me do it!
What is this big, scary ghost of an economy that we're supposed to just bow down to? Is it the poltergeist that is making jobs disappear all over campus, or is there something more sinister at play?
Ask the administration what they think at the upcoming GPSC meeting (Nov. 5, 6-8pm)
Let's not forget for one second that this restructuring began long before the Wallstreet crash and at the very beginning of the biggest bite of the housing crisis. The economy has become a convenient scapegoat for what the administration seems to have been planning for quite some time. If you need evidence of that, just look to Eller's move to finally get rid of the public administration program. They tried it before, but failed....now the economy is to blame!
Part of the problem is that we look to the economy as the source of all power. If something good happens, we have the economy to thank. If something bad happens, the economy made me do it!
What is this big, scary ghost of an economy that we're supposed to just bow down to? Is it the poltergeist that is making jobs disappear all over campus, or is there something more sinister at play?
Ask the administration what they think at the upcoming GPSC meeting (Nov. 5, 6-8pm)
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Pre-Pink Slip
Meredith Hay and Robert Shelton sent out an e-mail today warning us that our jobs are at risk.
Go ahead and panic.
Calling the budget crisis the worst since World War II, we have been asked to sacrifice, to take one for the team, to understand why so many people will likely be fired.
But here's what is going to be hard to swallow: U of A is the second largest employer in Tucson.
This is not just a university issue, but also a city issue and a state issue. Our representatives need to be involved. The solution to this crisis is not to allow the population to become ignorant by providing sub-standard education.
The solution lies in our demanding access to quality public education and calling for accountability in our leaders.
Why hasn't there been a campus-wide initiative for energy saving? Why does the university still spend huge amounts of money on advertising? Why are we still planting and watering seasonal flowers? Why aren't the upper-administrators volunteering to take pay cuts, as they have allegedly asked others to do? Why are we putting more pressure on our already over-stressed GATs rather than helping to support them? Sure, we can eliminate a few deans and merge some departments, but how much money will it cost to merge and how much money will it save in the end? How many times can you merge before you run out of ways to cut corners and it all comes crashing down?
Go ahead and panic.
Calling the budget crisis the worst since World War II, we have been asked to sacrifice, to take one for the team, to understand why so many people will likely be fired.
But here's what is going to be hard to swallow: U of A is the second largest employer in Tucson.
This is not just a university issue, but also a city issue and a state issue. Our representatives need to be involved. The solution to this crisis is not to allow the population to become ignorant by providing sub-standard education.
The solution lies in our demanding access to quality public education and calling for accountability in our leaders.
Why hasn't there been a campus-wide initiative for energy saving? Why does the university still spend huge amounts of money on advertising? Why are we still planting and watering seasonal flowers? Why aren't the upper-administrators volunteering to take pay cuts, as they have allegedly asked others to do? Why are we putting more pressure on our already over-stressed GATs rather than helping to support them? Sure, we can eliminate a few deans and merge some departments, but how much money will it cost to merge and how much money will it save in the end? How many times can you merge before you run out of ways to cut corners and it all comes crashing down?
Where's my money?
How about a little math for a change?
In state undergraduate tuition for a four credit class is: $1,104.00 per semester
Out of state undergraduate tuition is $3,068.00 per semester.
Let's assume (and we can if we take a look at the ratios in the factbook) that 1/3 of this four credit class is out of state students.
The total income would be: $52,760.00
Now subtract the paltry GAT .25 salary for the class: about $3,855.00
and the health insurance: $661.00
You're left with about $48,244.00 that the university has taken in.
Just for fun, let's pretend that all of the students are in-state. The university would still be left with an income of $28,604.00
http://oirps.arizona.edu/files/Fact_Book/Factbook07_08.pdf
http://www.bursar.arizona.edu/students/fees/index.asp?term=084&feetype=undergrad&feerate=all
Keep in mind that the university also takes in (perhaps too few, but still significant) tax dollars from the state. Also remember that these tuition numbers are from this year, before the tuition hike and also do not include the student fees that are tacked on for things like 'technology' and KAMP radio.
It's understandable that the university needs some extra money to pay librarians, cleaning crews, landscapers, technology assistants, administrators, electricity, maintenance and other expenses, but $28,604.00 per class should be more than enough to cover all of that. Also, this is a relatively mild example. Some classes have hundreds of students being taught by a single professor and a few GATs.
If you consider that it would cost about $22/month to insure each graduate student for individual dental care (Blue Cross, Blue Shield), it seems absolutely ridiculous that the university doesn't do this. The U of A could even ask for a group discount.
http://www.azblue.com/pdfs/Forms-Resources/DentalPlusIndivApp.pdf
Where is this money going? Every time I see fresh flowers being planted on campus I wonder how many GATs' spouses and children could have been provided with health insurance instead. Every time a window rattles in a leaky classroom or I walk in and find that the temperature has been set at 55 degrees all day and it feels like a refrigerator, I wonder how much money we've waisted.
Shelton's right about one thing: It's time to get our priorities straight. Now is the time to ask him why we are excluded from services we deserve and where all of our students' tuition dollars are being spent.
In state undergraduate tuition for a four credit class is: $1,104.00 per semester
Out of state undergraduate tuition is $3,068.00 per semester.
Let's assume (and we can if we take a look at the ratios in the factbook) that 1/3 of this four credit class is out of state students.
The total income would be: $52,760.00
Now subtract the paltry GAT .25 salary for the class: about $3,855.00
and the health insurance: $661.00
You're left with about $48,244.00 that the university has taken in.
Just for fun, let's pretend that all of the students are in-state. The university would still be left with an income of $28,604.00
http://oirps.arizona.edu/files/Fact_Book/Factbook07_08.pdf
http://www.bursar.arizona.edu/students/fees/index.asp?term=084&feetype=undergrad&feerate=all
Keep in mind that the university also takes in (perhaps too few, but still significant) tax dollars from the state. Also remember that these tuition numbers are from this year, before the tuition hike and also do not include the student fees that are tacked on for things like 'technology' and KAMP radio.
It's understandable that the university needs some extra money to pay librarians, cleaning crews, landscapers, technology assistants, administrators, electricity, maintenance and other expenses, but $28,604.00 per class should be more than enough to cover all of that. Also, this is a relatively mild example. Some classes have hundreds of students being taught by a single professor and a few GATs.
If you consider that it would cost about $22/month to insure each graduate student for individual dental care (Blue Cross, Blue Shield), it seems absolutely ridiculous that the university doesn't do this. The U of A could even ask for a group discount.
http://www.azblue.com/pdfs/Forms-Resources/DentalPlusIndivApp.pdf
Where is this money going? Every time I see fresh flowers being planted on campus I wonder how many GATs' spouses and children could have been provided with health insurance instead. Every time a window rattles in a leaky classroom or I walk in and find that the temperature has been set at 55 degrees all day and it feels like a refrigerator, I wonder how much money we've waisted.
Shelton's right about one thing: It's time to get our priorities straight. Now is the time to ask him why we are excluded from services we deserve and where all of our students' tuition dollars are being spent.
A chance to show your numbers
Shelton will be briefly attending this GPSC meeting:
WHEN: Wednesday November 5, 2008
WHERE: College of Law Building, Room 164
TIME: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Now's our chance to show him we really know how to protest.
WHEN: Wednesday November 5, 2008
WHERE: College of Law Building, Room 164
TIME: 6 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Now's our chance to show him we really know how to protest.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Do something!
We encourage you to write letters to the local papers about the 'restructuring' efforts. The benefit of writing a letter is that you can express your personal opinion without worrying too much about having your words twisted.
Some suggestions:
1) Talk about your personal experience, what you expected from the university qne what disappoints you.
2) Avoid spreading rumors, but feel free to mention that the process has mostly been conducted through rumors and innuendo rather than straight-forward, transparent policies.
3) You are usually more likely to get your letter printed (and we know this from experience) if you refer to a letter or article that was previously printed or something specific from the paper (news, opinion, etc).
4) Be direct and challenge your administration to justify its decisions. Expect a lot from them and hold them to a higher standard.
5) Talk about the fundamentals: what is public education supposed to be and what needs to be done?
6) Sign it with your name, and do not claim to represent anyone but yourself. You have a right to express personal opinions in public settings without harrassment from the university administration.
To send a letter to the Editor of the Arizona Daily Star, visit: http://www.azstarnet.com/lettertoeditor.php?id=264026
To send a letter to the Editor of the Tucson Citizen, email it directly to:
letters@tucsoncitizen.com
To send a letter to the Daily Wildcat:
http://wildcat.arizona.edu/home/lettertotheeditor/
If you're up for a more anonymous experience, send letters to sallygradstudent@gmail.com. We will never publish your e-mail address or any other identifying information.
Some suggestions:
1) Talk about your personal experience, what you expected from the university qne what disappoints you.
2) Avoid spreading rumors, but feel free to mention that the process has mostly been conducted through rumors and innuendo rather than straight-forward, transparent policies.
3) You are usually more likely to get your letter printed (and we know this from experience) if you refer to a letter or article that was previously printed or something specific from the paper (news, opinion, etc).
4) Be direct and challenge your administration to justify its decisions. Expect a lot from them and hold them to a higher standard.
5) Talk about the fundamentals: what is public education supposed to be and what needs to be done?
6) Sign it with your name, and do not claim to represent anyone but yourself. You have a right to express personal opinions in public settings without harrassment from the university administration.
To send a letter to the Editor of the Arizona Daily Star, visit: http://www.azstarnet.com/lettertoeditor.php?id=264026
To send a letter to the Editor of the Tucson Citizen, email it directly to:
letters@tucsoncitizen.com
To send a letter to the Daily Wildcat:
http://wildcat.arizona.edu/home/lettertotheeditor/
If you're up for a more anonymous experience, send letters to sallygradstudent@gmail.com. We will never publish your e-mail address or any other identifying information.
Smoke and Mirrors
Well, Lute's unexpected retirement and the national and local elections have managed to steal the spotlight from the U of A's 'restructuring' efforts, but that doesn't mean everyone is ready to lie down and let the new university's business model run over them.
Biology and Biochemistry will be having a little party to pretend they're happy about their upcoming merger. Don't forget that people are losing their jobs. Why are we being asked to celebrate our own demise?
Don't forget that Shelton wants us to protest more. We should take him up on that offer.
Biology and Biochemistry will be having a little party to pretend they're happy about their upcoming merger. Don't forget that people are losing their jobs. Why are we being asked to celebrate our own demise?
Don't forget that Shelton wants us to protest more. We should take him up on that offer.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
The Architecture of Betrayal
Check out the Daily Wildcat's two sharp articles (one in news, the other in opinions) today, criticizing the administration's decision to 'sweep' any surplus salary dollars from all colleges into a central fund. Particularly disappointing is the administration's willful refusal to acknowledge that these colleges made promises with the money they thought was theirs and are now unable to make due.
www.wildcat.arizona.edu
It highlights the bizarre contradiction that has marked this 'restructuring' from the very beginning. The administration asks for your input, then ignores it. It tells you that you have the solutions, and then tells you that you are too irresponsible to handle your own money. It gives you rhetorical responses to practical questions and then complains that you don't protest enough. It tells you to question authority while establishing authoritarian control. It tells you to pinch your pennies so that it can smash your piggy bank and sweep them all away.
We understand that these are tough times, but that does not justify creating an atmosphere of hypocrisy and deceit. Just tell it like it is so we know what we're up against.
www.wildcat.arizona.edu
It highlights the bizarre contradiction that has marked this 'restructuring' from the very beginning. The administration asks for your input, then ignores it. It tells you that you have the solutions, and then tells you that you are too irresponsible to handle your own money. It gives you rhetorical responses to practical questions and then complains that you don't protest enough. It tells you to question authority while establishing authoritarian control. It tells you to pinch your pennies so that it can smash your piggy bank and sweep them all away.
We understand that these are tough times, but that does not justify creating an atmosphere of hypocrisy and deceit. Just tell it like it is so we know what we're up against.
You're 'definitely protected'
In a sharply written article by Renee Schafer Horton of the Tucson Citizen (one of our favorite no-nonsense monitors of the 'restructuring effort' at the U of A, Shelton mentions that tenured faculty can be let go in a restructuring, but that they will 'definitely' be protected.
Schafer Horton raises a very interesting point: that of minority employees at risk. Bottom-level jobs will be the first to go, and who usually occupies those positions? Minorities and women. Meanwhile, Hays claims that diversity at the U of A 'will not be compromised.' So which is it, administrators? Are you or are you not planning on re-assigning tenured faculty to lower paying jobs? Are you or are you not planning to lay off hundreds of minority employees?
From the Citizen:
"Arizona Board of Regents policy allows for layoffs of tenured faculty "upon reorganization when determined to be necessary due to budgetary or programmatic considerations requiring program discontinuance, curtailment, modification or redirection."
However, Shelton said in an e-mail to the Tucson Citizen on Tuesday that "We will definitely protect tenure and tenure-eligible faculty."
Tenure and tenure-track faculty are about 11 percent of UA's employees. When adjunct faculty, lecturers and instructors - part-time positions not immune from layoffs - are included, UA's instructional faculty account for 19 percent of UA workers.
Administrators - deans, vice deans, vice presidents and vice provosts - are not immune to cutbacks, Garcia said. However, if they are also tenured faculty, they would be able to return to teaching "at a pay cut," he said."
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/local/100434.php
Schafer Horton raises a very interesting point: that of minority employees at risk. Bottom-level jobs will be the first to go, and who usually occupies those positions? Minorities and women. Meanwhile, Hays claims that diversity at the U of A 'will not be compromised.' So which is it, administrators? Are you or are you not planning on re-assigning tenured faculty to lower paying jobs? Are you or are you not planning to lay off hundreds of minority employees?
From the Citizen:
"Arizona Board of Regents policy allows for layoffs of tenured faculty "upon reorganization when determined to be necessary due to budgetary or programmatic considerations requiring program discontinuance, curtailment, modification or redirection."
However, Shelton said in an e-mail to the Tucson Citizen on Tuesday that "We will definitely protect tenure and tenure-eligible faculty."
Tenure and tenure-track faculty are about 11 percent of UA's employees. When adjunct faculty, lecturers and instructors - part-time positions not immune from layoffs - are included, UA's instructional faculty account for 19 percent of UA workers.
Administrators - deans, vice deans, vice presidents and vice provosts - are not immune to cutbacks, Garcia said. However, if they are also tenured faculty, they would be able to return to teaching "at a pay cut," he said."
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/local/100434.php
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
The Arizona Daily Star announced today that due to the recent budget problems in the state and at the university, the deans' positions at the medical school may continue to go unfilled. Of course, the article didn't mention all of the other interim deans and interim heads doing hard work for less glory all over campus.
http://www.azstarnet.com/business/263370.php
It's kind of like when a company can't hire anyone permanently, so they use a temp agency to fill all of their positions, until a temporary solution becomes a permanent solution.
http://www.azstarnet.com/business/263370.php
It's kind of like when a company can't hire anyone permanently, so they use a temp agency to fill all of their positions, until a temporary solution becomes a permanent solution.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Tell us what you think!
Angry and anonymous?
Want to state your mind without having to worry that the administration might target you?
Want to stick it to the man without having to sign your name?
Send us an e-mail at Sallygradstudent@gmail.com or post an anonymous comment to this blog. We also appreciate tips on what local papers and news outlets are talking about campus issues that you find important.
We will never release your e-mail address, name, program or any other information that could be used to identify you.
We will not be intimidated.
Want to state your mind without having to worry that the administration might target you?
Want to stick it to the man without having to sign your name?
Send us an e-mail at Sallygradstudent@gmail.com or post an anonymous comment to this blog. We also appreciate tips on what local papers and news outlets are talking about campus issues that you find important.
We will never release your e-mail address, name, program or any other information that could be used to identify you.
We will not be intimidated.
Fresh Flower Freeze
ASUA: it might be a good idea in the long run to plan for solar water heaters and car-sharing programs, but this university is trying to SAVE money so that it does not have to fire too many people. Rather than suggest investment in new programs, perhaps ASUA should try a little harder at common sense initiatives, such as turning off the lights and turning up the temperatures in classrooms.
And since we currently have a hiring freeze, we'd like to propose a fresh flower freeze. That's right, all new planting on campus should cease immediately. Today they planted hundreds of seasonal flowers in front of the Dance theater. You have got to be kidding me. Those flowers, plus the individuals who were planting out there for hours, plus the water, and then the cost to re-plant every season probably adds up to quite a lot.
Aren't we in the desert? Shouldn't we be taking the "World-Class" initiative to landscape in a sustainable fashion?
And since we currently have a hiring freeze, we'd like to propose a fresh flower freeze. That's right, all new planting on campus should cease immediately. Today they planted hundreds of seasonal flowers in front of the Dance theater. You have got to be kidding me. Those flowers, plus the individuals who were planting out there for hours, plus the water, and then the cost to re-plant every season probably adds up to quite a lot.
Aren't we in the desert? Shouldn't we be taking the "World-Class" initiative to landscape in a sustainable fashion?
Say What?
During a meeting with ASUA on sustainability on the campus, Pres. Shelton said the following:
"Before hearing what the students had planned, Shelton told them that he longed for the good old days when students questioned authority.
"I continue to worry we don't have enough protests and everyone raising heck," he said."
http://www.azstarnet.com/dailystar/263220.php
REALLY? Wasn't it Shelton's VP of Communications who helped squash a grad-student protest over Parents' Weekend? Wasn't it Shelton who failed to adequately answer students' concerns at the town hall meeting a few weeks ago? Wasn't it Shelton who admitted to a certain program that ultimately he and Hay make the decisions and that the White Papers are part of a process, but really have no official power?
Oh, I get it. It's our fault because we don't care enough. Blaming the victims seems a little too easy, doesn't it?
E-mail Shelton and tell him not to worry about students not protesting enough. You want it? You got it. robert.shelton@arizona.edu
"Before hearing what the students had planned, Shelton told them that he longed for the good old days when students questioned authority.
"I continue to worry we don't have enough protests and everyone raising heck," he said."
http://www.azstarnet.com/dailystar/263220.php
REALLY? Wasn't it Shelton's VP of Communications who helped squash a grad-student protest over Parents' Weekend? Wasn't it Shelton who failed to adequately answer students' concerns at the town hall meeting a few weeks ago? Wasn't it Shelton who admitted to a certain program that ultimately he and Hay make the decisions and that the White Papers are part of a process, but really have no official power?
Oh, I get it. It's our fault because we don't care enough. Blaming the victims seems a little too easy, doesn't it?
E-mail Shelton and tell him not to worry about students not protesting enough. You want it? You got it. robert.shelton@arizona.edu
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Who is really calling the shots?
In a recent meeting with Shelton, a certain program at the U of A asked some tough questions. The one that most concerns us is this one:
"So, essentially all these white papers could be submitted by different units and then just thrown away by the upper administration if they want?"
"YES!"
Can anyone say perceived participation? Be on the lookout for false consciousness, people. Just because the administration 'looks forward to your input' doesn't mean they are actually going to take it into account when making decisions.
"So, essentially all these white papers could be submitted by different units and then just thrown away by the upper administration if they want?"
"YES!"
Can anyone say perceived participation? Be on the lookout for false consciousness, people. Just because the administration 'looks forward to your input' doesn't mean they are actually going to take it into account when making decisions.
Last one out, please turn off the lights
While asking to ban styrofoam in the Student Union (but how will I carry around my Panda Express) and suggesting solar water heaters for the dorms, ASUA left out a pile of good ideas that would instantly save the U of A money and conserve energy at the same time.
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/hourlyupdate/263190.php
How about trying the following:
1) Turn off the fountains next to the union that are wasting water and have to be power-washed every couple of months to get the mineral stains and bird poo off of them.
2) Stop watering the flowers and grassy areas that constantly have to be replaced and are not native to the area.
3) Seal around leaky doors and windows in all buildings and post signs to remind students that turning the air conditioning down to 55 degrees does not make the room cooler faster; it just makes the room really cold after you leave.
4) Post signs like in the health center that encourage students to take the stairs whenever possible, saving the electricity and maintenance of the elevators and burning a few calories.
5) Close the library for a few hours every night and turn out the lights. Close the gyms a few hours earlier (they're open until midnight some nights).
6) Take those little golf carts away from employees who do not actually need them to haul materials or because of a disability. Often times they are full of overly-excited friends, riding around campus for fun.
7) Turn up the temperature in all campus buildings by 5 degrees. If they can do it at the United Nations building in NYC, we can do it here. http://www.thedailygreen.com/green-homes/eco-friendly/un-air-conditioning-460708
8) Require all businesses that operate on campus (including fraternities and sororities) to recycle and fine them if they violate the rule. All of those empty cans of Keystone Light have got to be worth something.
9) Do a sweep of all campus appliances and make sure they are actually being used. A plugged-in fridge with nothing in it can suck up a lot of electricity.
10) Install motion-sensors on lights so that hallways aren't lit up 24 hours a day.
11) Only hold classes in buildings that have to be air-conditioned (because they have a lab with sensitive material or heat-producing servers, etc) during the summer. Often classes are held all over campus, meaning that several buildings have to be refridgerated.
12) Offer classes on energy conservation for students. Establish some kind of green-team that students can participate in.
13) Wrap all water heaters, boilers, and pipes that carry cold or hot air. A lot of energy can be lost in transporting hot or cold liquids, too.
If you have more suggestions, send them directly to the ASUA or send them to sallygradstudent@gmail.com and we'll post them to the blog.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
School of Public Administration and Policy Under Seige!
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2008/10/15/News/Campus.Gets.First.Look.At.White.Papers-3487890.shtml
Check it out. Where have we read this story before? Now there's finally the economy to blame!
Check it out. Where have we read this story before? Now there's finally the economy to blame!
Blaming the Victims
From the Tucson Citizen, regarding the recently released White Paper proposals:
"Some proposals stepped out of the realm of a particular college, including one by BIO5 Director Vicki Chandler, who proposed an umbrella program for graduate training within molecular life sciences.
Her proposal advocated establishing a program "to simplify recruitment and admission of graduate students, highlight the excellent faculty and training programs currently at UA and standardize first year education; all of which should increase the recruitment of more of the top graduate students in the country." Chandler added that the "low number of quality graduate students at UA is often cited as a reason faculty go elsewhere."
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/local/99562.php
Let us suggest the possibility that graduate students go elsewhere because they are made more competetive offers from other schools. Many of our 'peer' institutions offer graduate students a more reasonable teaching schedule, dissertation funding, even dental insurance. So here's a heads-up: even if you 'highlight' your great faculty, some people won't come because they're really attached to the idea of not burying themselves in debt, getting good healthcare and learning on a more reasonable schedule while not teaching a huge course load and trying to conduct their own research.
If graduate students are the key to attracting quality faculty, then offer them more.
"Some proposals stepped out of the realm of a particular college, including one by BIO5 Director Vicki Chandler, who proposed an umbrella program for graduate training within molecular life sciences.
Her proposal advocated establishing a program "to simplify recruitment and admission of graduate students, highlight the excellent faculty and training programs currently at UA and standardize first year education; all of which should increase the recruitment of more of the top graduate students in the country." Chandler added that the "low number of quality graduate students at UA is often cited as a reason faculty go elsewhere."
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/ss/local/99562.php
Let us suggest the possibility that graduate students go elsewhere because they are made more competetive offers from other schools. Many of our 'peer' institutions offer graduate students a more reasonable teaching schedule, dissertation funding, even dental insurance. So here's a heads-up: even if you 'highlight' your great faculty, some people won't come because they're really attached to the idea of not burying themselves in debt, getting good healthcare and learning on a more reasonable schedule while not teaching a huge course load and trying to conduct their own research.
If graduate students are the key to attracting quality faculty, then offer them more.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Sally Gradstudent is not Spam!
After several requests, Sally Gradstudent has finally been unlocked, as you probably noticed when you didn't have to go through the hassle of reading an admonishing message that told you Sally Gradstudent might be violating the terms of service.
It was somehow flagged as a 'spam blog', which is something full of nonsense that basically wants to direct you to male enhancement and diet pill sites. Obviously, Sally is not that, so the blog was finally unlocked!
The blogger website says that 'robots' decide what looks like spam and what doesn't and then lock the site until a human can take a look at it...call me a conspiracy theorist, but I just feel like maybe humans were involved from the beginning.
It was somehow flagged as a 'spam blog', which is something full of nonsense that basically wants to direct you to male enhancement and diet pill sites. Obviously, Sally is not that, so the blog was finally unlocked!
The blogger website says that 'robots' decide what looks like spam and what doesn't and then lock the site until a human can take a look at it...call me a conspiracy theorist, but I just feel like maybe humans were involved from the beginning.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Transformation Celebration!
Want to know whether your department made it onto your college's white papers? Want to know if you're out in the cold, or being welcomed into the new, warmer and friendlier U of A?
Look it up here:
http://provost.arizona.edu/transformation_information
Look it up here:
http://provost.arizona.edu/transformation_information
Immediate (In)action required
As you may have already heard, "immediate action is required." It seems more like innaction is what is actually being asked, though.
Due to the recent economic downturn on both the state and national level, the U of A has executed a hiring freeze, which seems strangly logical, considering that the U of A can't pay the people it has already hired. Also, if you're going to spend over $50,000.00 in state funds, you now have to get it approved first.
Wow. You could spend fifty thousand dollars before without approval?
So if any one out there was planning on spending $50,000 on hiring an awesome new professor, I guess you're out of luck. For the rest of us, try not to top $50,000 the next time you're out shopping for supplies.
Due to the recent economic downturn on both the state and national level, the U of A has executed a hiring freeze, which seems strangly logical, considering that the U of A can't pay the people it has already hired. Also, if you're going to spend over $50,000.00 in state funds, you now have to get it approved first.
Wow. You could spend fifty thousand dollars before without approval?
So if any one out there was planning on spending $50,000 on hiring an awesome new professor, I guess you're out of luck. For the rest of us, try not to top $50,000 the next time you're out shopping for supplies.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Town Hall Meeting
It was standing room only for part of today's Town Hall Meeing with Pres. Shelton. Perhaps even more concerned students would have come had it not been announced on such short notice.
Shelton stated that his overall goal is to improve the quality of the unversity overall and make the quality of education better. Among our favorite quotes were: "It's gonna be a hard 18 months." "The World's more than just a major." "It's all about people." "We can't keep trimming back on everything, but eliminate some things."
He also claimed that "Despite some materials that have been distributed" tuition has not been set for next year yet. What materials could he possibly mean? The Tucson Citizen, perhaps?
Unfortunately, he was unable to provide the audience with a clear timeline on when final decisions would be made and by whom. Despite his mention of the October 13th deadline on the "White papers" from departments and colleges, and his highlighting of certain groups such as SPBAC, which will be reviewing the white papers, it remains unclear exactly when changes will be made and exactly by whom.
Graduate students expressed frustration with increasing class sizes with no corresponding increase in pay and resources. They also expressed concern about the status of their degree programs, their workload and the quality of graduate and undergraduate education at this university. Also, one student highlighted the so-far unmentioned fact that the library is being cut once again.
Shelton placed a large portion of the blame on the state for habitually underfunding the University of Arizona. This is a good time to mention that you can find the address and phone number of your state representatives at: www.az.gov
Shelton did admit: "There are probably no harder working folks in the country than grad students." And added that "Graduate students do more teaching by dollar than lecturers."
Again, he suggested that more online classes need to be made available to students, but also admitted that overall, online classes are rather expensive. One student commented that she is now wondering if she made the right choice in deciding to study at U of A. If it's all going to be online, why not go to University of Phoenix? Good point, gutsy freshman!
The ASUA president encouraged the crowd to e-mail him their ideas: tbruce@email.arizona.edu and I think we should.
Shelton stated that his overall goal is to improve the quality of the unversity overall and make the quality of education better. Among our favorite quotes were: "It's gonna be a hard 18 months." "The World's more than just a major." "It's all about people." "We can't keep trimming back on everything, but eliminate some things."
He also claimed that "Despite some materials that have been distributed" tuition has not been set for next year yet. What materials could he possibly mean? The Tucson Citizen, perhaps?
Unfortunately, he was unable to provide the audience with a clear timeline on when final decisions would be made and by whom. Despite his mention of the October 13th deadline on the "White papers" from departments and colleges, and his highlighting of certain groups such as SPBAC, which will be reviewing the white papers, it remains unclear exactly when changes will be made and exactly by whom.
Graduate students expressed frustration with increasing class sizes with no corresponding increase in pay and resources. They also expressed concern about the status of their degree programs, their workload and the quality of graduate and undergraduate education at this university. Also, one student highlighted the so-far unmentioned fact that the library is being cut once again.
Shelton placed a large portion of the blame on the state for habitually underfunding the University of Arizona. This is a good time to mention that you can find the address and phone number of your state representatives at: www.az.gov
Shelton did admit: "There are probably no harder working folks in the country than grad students." And added that "Graduate students do more teaching by dollar than lecturers."
Again, he suggested that more online classes need to be made available to students, but also admitted that overall, online classes are rather expensive. One student commented that she is now wondering if she made the right choice in deciding to study at U of A. If it's all going to be online, why not go to University of Phoenix? Good point, gutsy freshman!
The ASUA president encouraged the crowd to e-mail him their ideas: tbruce@email.arizona.edu and I think we should.
Townhall meeting. Be there and be heard
Student Union, Tucson Room
12-1:30 Wednesday the 8th of October
Demand answers. Do not let the administration give vague responses. Demand clarity.
12-1:30 Wednesday the 8th of October
Demand answers. Do not let the administration give vague responses. Demand clarity.
Notice anything, doctor?
Take a look at this resource:
http://tucsoncitizen.com/know/uasalaries
Now try clicking on salaries above $300,000 / year
Now list the salaries from highest to lowest.
What do you notice?
http://tucsoncitizen.com/know/uasalaries
Now try clicking on salaries above $300,000 / year
Now list the salaries from highest to lowest.
What do you notice?
Tightening our belts, or cutting off limbs?
There have been some rumors flying around about the possible consolidation and/or elimination of colleges and departments.
Ask yourself: What will my degree be worth if my department is eliminated? How will this effect this university's reputation?
Is this a university or a degree-factory? Do we really care about education? How much will your degree be worth?
Ask yourself: What will my degree be worth if my department is eliminated? How will this effect this university's reputation?
Is this a university or a degree-factory? Do we really care about education? How much will your degree be worth?
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
Town Hall Meeting!
Do not miss this chance to express your frustration with the administration's choice to exclude certain parts of the campus community from the restructuring process.
As students, we are the heart of our university. It cannot exist without our participation.
Demand explanation of where your tuition dollars go and why you are being asked to pay 13% more tuition for larger classes and fewer services.
Education needs to remain our top priority. The economy is unstable, but that does not mean that we have to abandon our core values.
Be there and be heard:
University Townhall with President Robert N. Shelton
Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Time: Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Tucson Room of the Main Student Union, Standing Room only
As students, we are the heart of our university. It cannot exist without our participation.
Demand explanation of where your tuition dollars go and why you are being asked to pay 13% more tuition for larger classes and fewer services.
Education needs to remain our top priority. The economy is unstable, but that does not mean that we have to abandon our core values.
Be there and be heard:
University Townhall with President Robert N. Shelton
Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Time: Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Tucson Room of the Main Student Union, Standing Room only
Library
The library will almost certainly be suffering cuts again this year, despite Shelton's promise to protect the library when he took the job.
Just a suggestion: instead of just pulling the book you need, photocopying the pages you want and then reshelving it or dropping it off, check it out. Even if you return it again when you're done copying, it'll give the library a real statistic on what kinds of materials we use and remind the administration how important it is to maintain our collection.
Just a suggestion: instead of just pulling the book you need, photocopying the pages you want and then reshelving it or dropping it off, check it out. Even if you return it again when you're done copying, it'll give the library a real statistic on what kinds of materials we use and remind the administration how important it is to maintain our collection.
Someone is paying attention!
From the Tucson Citizen:
"A lawmaker-approved project to fund $1 billion worth of construction at the state's three universities may be dead after a legislative oversight committee held up the process amid concerns about the state's deepening budget deficit.
On top of refusing to review a package of university projects that had been billed as a way to help the state jump-start the construction industry, the committee last week also put off approving a slew of unrelated university projects, many of which wouldn't be funded by state money, in a move that angered University of Arizona officials.
But with a budget deficit of $300 million already looming just three months into the fiscal year and expected to increase to $1 billion, there might not be any money to fund the construction projects, said Sen. Bob Burns, R-Peoria, vice chairman of the committee. "
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/fromcomments/261158.php
Finally! How can the U of A try to borrow millions of dollars when they can't afford even to pay their employees?
Oh yeah, and by the way:
"Close to half of the money was to help fund the expansion of the UA's biomedical campus in downtown Phoenix. "
Sounds a little too much like a subprime mortgage to me...banking on the possible increasing value of biomedical research....on borrowed funds...when we're already in debt...?
"A lawmaker-approved project to fund $1 billion worth of construction at the state's three universities may be dead after a legislative oversight committee held up the process amid concerns about the state's deepening budget deficit.
On top of refusing to review a package of university projects that had been billed as a way to help the state jump-start the construction industry, the committee last week also put off approving a slew of unrelated university projects, many of which wouldn't be funded by state money, in a move that angered University of Arizona officials.
But with a budget deficit of $300 million already looming just three months into the fiscal year and expected to increase to $1 billion, there might not be any money to fund the construction projects, said Sen. Bob Burns, R-Peoria, vice chairman of the committee. "
http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/fromcomments/261158.php
Finally! How can the U of A try to borrow millions of dollars when they can't afford even to pay their employees?
Oh yeah, and by the way:
"Close to half of the money was to help fund the expansion of the UA's biomedical campus in downtown Phoenix. "
Sounds a little too much like a subprime mortgage to me...banking on the possible increasing value of biomedical research....on borrowed funds...when we're already in debt...?
This isn't just about us...
If you want to contribute to the blog, you can do it through comments or e-mail to:
sallygradstudent@gmail.com
We will never reveal your name or e-mail address on the blog. We will not stand for intimidation.
sallygradstudent@gmail.com
We will never reveal your name or e-mail address on the blog. We will not stand for intimidation.
Do you have a right to be indignant?
Yes! You do have a right to be indignant!
"But I'm just a grad student....things will improve for me when I finally finish my degree..."
Not if you never stand up for your rights! Is being an over-burdened gradstudent a right of passage or an unnecessary process?
"Well, actually, I feel like I'm lucky even to have a job. Really, it's like the university is doing me a favor."
Really? Graduate students make up 20% of the employee population. This university cannot run without us. Considering that students pay tuition to take your class and that you are considered a qualified instructor, capable of educating students in the university, don't you think you deserve fair treatment?
Tell your university administration that at the town hall meeting on Wednesday.
"But I'm just a grad student....things will improve for me when I finally finish my degree..."
Not if you never stand up for your rights! Is being an over-burdened gradstudent a right of passage or an unnecessary process?
"Well, actually, I feel like I'm lucky even to have a job. Really, it's like the university is doing me a favor."
Really? Graduate students make up 20% of the employee population. This university cannot run without us. Considering that students pay tuition to take your class and that you are considered a qualified instructor, capable of educating students in the university, don't you think you deserve fair treatment?
Tell your university administration that at the town hall meeting on Wednesday.
Call To Action
In an effort to make sure our voices are heard and hopefully photographed by the news agencies that will attend the Town Hall, I encourage you to make signs and posters that question what exactly World-Class means. If you want, feel free to put the sallygradstudent.blogspot.com address on the posters to get the word out about our interests.
We will be heard!
We will be heard!
How Much Time Do You Really Spend Teaching?
Considering that you are probably being paid 10-20 hours a week to teach, I ask you to consider adding up all of the time you spend working. That includes answering questions, e-mails, grading, recording grades, meeting with students, preparing tests and quizzes, reviewing essays, answering your office phone, planning classes, teaching classes, researching teaching methods, going to teacher meetings, etc.
If it adds up to more than the amount of time you're being paid, demand better conditions!
Large class sizes mean more work for you and less time for each student....although that doesn't mean that each student won't demand access to your time. Classrooms with little to no technology increase your prep time because you have to print out overheads and prepare lectures that work around the lack of connectivity. You're stressed out enough as it is with your own graduate classes. Shouldn't the university try to make your teaching as 'world-class' as possible?
If it adds up to more than the amount of time you're being paid, demand better conditions!
Large class sizes mean more work for you and less time for each student....although that doesn't mean that each student won't demand access to your time. Classrooms with little to no technology increase your prep time because you have to print out overheads and prepare lectures that work around the lack of connectivity. You're stressed out enough as it is with your own graduate classes. Shouldn't the university try to make your teaching as 'world-class' as possible?
Monday, October 6, 2008
FINALLY!
The University of Arizona President, Robert N. Shelton, has agreed to hold a town hall meeting with all students across campus.
University Townhall with President Robert N. Shelton
Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Time: Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Tucson Room of the Main Student Union, Standing Room only
Go, question, interrogate, criticize, scrutinize, show that you will not be intimidated.
http://www.gpsc.arizona.edu/home
University Townhall with President Robert N. Shelton
Date: Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Time: Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Location: Tucson Room of the Main Student Union, Standing Room only
Go, question, interrogate, criticize, scrutinize, show that you will not be intimidated.
http://www.gpsc.arizona.edu/home
Graduate Student Employees
Check out the 07-08 Factbook on U of A operations to find out some interesting facts:
20% of employees at the U of A are graduate students; 19% are faculty.
http://oirps.arizona.edu/UAFactbook.asp
"Approximately 1,200 graduate students are employed as graduate teaching and research assistants. Graduate teaching and research assistantships are available through departments. The primary purpose is to provide undergraduate students excellent classroom and laboratory instruction. In addition, they provide graduate students with training for careers in teaching and research. For teaching assistants, the work involves teaching and related activities such as reading and grading papers, leading discussions, and instructing and guiding students in the lab. For research assistants, the work involves research-related activities.
At the UA, Graduate Assistantships/Associateships in Teaching (GATs) are salaried positions, in contrast to fellowships or stipends. They are a means of monetary support for graduate students and offer the opportunity to develop teaching skills. Their primary purpose is to provide undergraduates excellent classroom and laboratory instruction.
GATs in the UA are given responsibility for a significant proportion of the total undergraduate instruction. Responsibility for their selection, training, supervision, and evaluation rests in each academic department, with oversight by the Graduate College. The Graduate College has been given the mandate to assure that the departments comply with the Arizona Board of Regents' policy for GATs."
http://www.utc.arizona.edu/tas/resourceguide/resource_guide_chapter_2.htm
20% of employees at the U of A are graduate students; 19% are faculty.
http://oirps.arizona.edu/UAFactbook.asp
"Approximately 1,200 graduate students are employed as graduate teaching and research assistants. Graduate teaching and research assistantships are available through departments. The primary purpose is to provide undergraduate students excellent classroom and laboratory instruction. In addition, they provide graduate students with training for careers in teaching and research. For teaching assistants, the work involves teaching and related activities such as reading and grading papers, leading discussions, and instructing and guiding students in the lab. For research assistants, the work involves research-related activities.
At the UA, Graduate Assistantships/Associateships in Teaching (GATs) are salaried positions, in contrast to fellowships or stipends. They are a means of monetary support for graduate students and offer the opportunity to develop teaching skills. Their primary purpose is to provide undergraduates excellent classroom and laboratory instruction.
GATs in the UA are given responsibility for a significant proportion of the total undergraduate instruction. Responsibility for their selection, training, supervision, and evaluation rests in each academic department, with oversight by the Graduate College. The Graduate College has been given the mandate to assure that the departments comply with the Arizona Board of Regents' policy for GATs."
http://www.utc.arizona.edu/tas/resourceguide/resource_guide_chapter_2.htm
Ask Provost Hay what "World-Class" means to her
The University of Arizona's new World-class initiative is to cut jobs and consolidate.
Ask Dr. Hay, who is an administrator, not an educator, to define World-Class!
provost@email.arizona.edu
http://provost.arizona.edu/
Ask Dr. Hay, who is an administrator, not an educator, to define World-Class!
provost@email.arizona.edu
http://provost.arizona.edu/
Did you know?
The graduate student educators that teach so many of the undergraduate courses at the U of A:
1) Are not covered by any form of dental insurance.
2) Have no prescription coverage.
3) Have no vision plan available to them.
4) Are often unable to afford spouse / family coverage because it is so expensive. It would cost $1,909 to insure your spouse for the fall semester and another $821 to insure children.(http://www.health.arizona.edu/pdf/Insurance/premium0809.pdf)
"Benefits Eligibility
Employees who are employed at 20 hours per week (.50 FTE) or greater and in a position that is six (6) months or more in duration are considered eligible for benefits (except graduate assistant/associate positions) as determined by the Arizona Department of Administration. "
http://www.hr.arizona.edu/benefits_eligibility
Are these the kind of benefits that should be offered to the people who dedicate so much time and effort to educating the future leaders of this state? Why are graduate students offered fewer benefits than other employees?
Ask your Arizona Board of Regents if they think this is fair:
Arizona Board of Regents
2020 N. Central Ave., Suite 230
Phoenix, AZ 85004-4593
Telephone: (602) 229-2500 / Fax: (602) 229-2555
http://www.abor.asu.edu/
1) Are not covered by any form of dental insurance.
2) Have no prescription coverage.
3) Have no vision plan available to them.
4) Are often unable to afford spouse / family coverage because it is so expensive. It would cost $1,909 to insure your spouse for the fall semester and another $821 to insure children.(http://www.health.arizona.edu/pdf/Insurance/premium0809.pdf)
"Benefits Eligibility
Employees who are employed at 20 hours per week (.50 FTE) or greater and in a position that is six (6) months or more in duration are considered eligible for benefits (except graduate assistant/associate positions) as determined by the Arizona Department of Administration. "
http://www.hr.arizona.edu/benefits_eligibility
Are these the kind of benefits that should be offered to the people who dedicate so much time and effort to educating the future leaders of this state? Why are graduate students offered fewer benefits than other employees?
Ask your Arizona Board of Regents if they think this is fair:
Arizona Board of Regents
2020 N. Central Ave., Suite 230
Phoenix, AZ 85004-4593
Telephone: (602) 229-2500 / Fax: (602) 229-2555
http://www.abor.asu.edu/
Open Letter to those who want to stand up for their own education
When you read about the University of Arizona on the school’s website, these words appear as the mission: “discover, educate, serve and inspire.” Unfortunately, due to recent economic circumstances, the current university administration seems to be turning away from this mission.
This is not a business and was never intended to be run like one. While the university has a responsibility to itself and its students to remain financially sound, it should not make capital accumulation its goal. Diverting money from one area of studies to another that happens to be more profitable at the time is not the reasonable response to these budget problems. Since the new motto of the University of Arizona is “World-Class,” it is imperative that we consider what “World-Class” means.
This “World-Class” university plans to make class sizes bigger, giving students even less access to their instructors. When you take a campus tour as a prospective student, you are shown the student union, the Integrated Learning Center, the main library and a residence hall, but you are not shown typical classrooms. Could this be because they are not exactly what you would call “World-Class”? The current administration fails to equip classrooms with technology and access to the internet. Note the empty black boxes in the Modern Languages building that are supposed to house computers and the number of classrooms that still have chalk boards (even in such buildings as Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering building, Communications, Civil Engineering, Education and, ironically, Center for Computing and Information Technology). In some cases even the overhead projectors are broken or so dirty that it is impossible to use them effectively. It seems that these classrooms are 30 years behind the times.
The current administration forces the libraries to cut books and journals in order to accommodate a budget that has not been increased with inflation. It neglects to make buildings energy efficient by ignoring leaky doors and windows and bad plumbing. It crams dozens of graduate students into tiny offices and requires them to teach more students and grade more papers without increasing their salaries. It charges students more and offers them less. This just doesn’t make fiscal sense.
This semester the U of A has record enrollment: 38,057 students, according to the Tucson Citizen. This year the administration required that several departments open their class sizes to accommodate more students, thereby decreasing the amount of time and attention the instructor can devote to each student. At the same time, the university spent $250,000 on billboards in Phoenix in order to attract even more students. The Arizona Board of Regents will hear a proposal for a 13% tuition increase this Thursday. This would mean about $726 per in-state undergraduate. Despite all of this additional income, the university doesn’t seem to be able to make the bud get work.
Now Pres. Shelton has asked the Arizona Board of Regents for an additional 13.6 million dollars to expand the medical school in Phoenix, while admitting to the Tucson Citizen that the U of A is currently unable to offer its existing faculty salaries that even meet the national mean. The administration has now explicitly stated that departments and programs will certainly be eliminated by June 2009.
In April, Pres. Shelton proposed a bond project that would borrow 1.4 billion dollars in order to pay for several construction projects on campus. He titled his announcement: “Investing in bricks, and in our future.” How can we invest in buildings if we can’t afford to pay the educators who would occupy them? How can the central administration pinch pennies with one hand while maxing out the credit cards with the other?
Public education will be in crisis until this country realizes that it has mortgaged its future. World-class education cannot afford to ignore the world. This is an issue that goes beyond the desire for a well-rounded education; it goes to the very heart of society. What we choose to value will determine our path. We cannot afford to sacrifice critical thinking and be seduced into believing that the only valuable pursuits are those that are currently making the most money.
Cutting-edge research comes from critical thinkers. This is not a technical school. It is not a factory. It is not a business. This is an institution of higher learning. As students, our responsibility is to participate in the current discussion. We cannot let apathy determine the future of education in Arizona. It is our responsibility to make our voices heard.
This is not a business and was never intended to be run like one. While the university has a responsibility to itself and its students to remain financially sound, it should not make capital accumulation its goal. Diverting money from one area of studies to another that happens to be more profitable at the time is not the reasonable response to these budget problems. Since the new motto of the University of Arizona is “World-Class,” it is imperative that we consider what “World-Class” means.
This “World-Class” university plans to make class sizes bigger, giving students even less access to their instructors. When you take a campus tour as a prospective student, you are shown the student union, the Integrated Learning Center, the main library and a residence hall, but you are not shown typical classrooms. Could this be because they are not exactly what you would call “World-Class”? The current administration fails to equip classrooms with technology and access to the internet. Note the empty black boxes in the Modern Languages building that are supposed to house computers and the number of classrooms that still have chalk boards (even in such buildings as Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering building, Communications, Civil Engineering, Education and, ironically, Center for Computing and Information Technology). In some cases even the overhead projectors are broken or so dirty that it is impossible to use them effectively. It seems that these classrooms are 30 years behind the times.
The current administration forces the libraries to cut books and journals in order to accommodate a budget that has not been increased with inflation. It neglects to make buildings energy efficient by ignoring leaky doors and windows and bad plumbing. It crams dozens of graduate students into tiny offices and requires them to teach more students and grade more papers without increasing their salaries. It charges students more and offers them less. This just doesn’t make fiscal sense.
This semester the U of A has record enrollment: 38,057 students, according to the Tucson Citizen. This year the administration required that several departments open their class sizes to accommodate more students, thereby decreasing the amount of time and attention the instructor can devote to each student. At the same time, the university spent $250,000 on billboards in Phoenix in order to attract even more students. The Arizona Board of Regents will hear a proposal for a 13% tuition increase this Thursday. This would mean about $726 per in-state undergraduate. Despite all of this additional income, the university doesn’t seem to be able to make the bud get work.
Now Pres. Shelton has asked the Arizona Board of Regents for an additional 13.6 million dollars to expand the medical school in Phoenix, while admitting to the Tucson Citizen that the U of A is currently unable to offer its existing faculty salaries that even meet the national mean. The administration has now explicitly stated that departments and programs will certainly be eliminated by June 2009.
In April, Pres. Shelton proposed a bond project that would borrow 1.4 billion dollars in order to pay for several construction projects on campus. He titled his announcement: “Investing in bricks, and in our future.” How can we invest in buildings if we can’t afford to pay the educators who would occupy them? How can the central administration pinch pennies with one hand while maxing out the credit cards with the other?
Public education will be in crisis until this country realizes that it has mortgaged its future. World-class education cannot afford to ignore the world. This is an issue that goes beyond the desire for a well-rounded education; it goes to the very heart of society. What we choose to value will determine our path. We cannot afford to sacrifice critical thinking and be seduced into believing that the only valuable pursuits are those that are currently making the most money.
Cutting-edge research comes from critical thinkers. This is not a technical school. It is not a factory. It is not a business. This is an institution of higher learning. As students, our responsibility is to participate in the current discussion. We cannot let apathy determine the future of education in Arizona. It is our responsibility to make our voices heard.
In the Press
You aren't the only person who is worried about the future of public education in this state. Take a look at what the Tucson Citizen is saying:
Reorganization Effort Causing 'Climate of Fear'
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/frontpage/98287.php
U of A May Eliminate Some Majors
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/frontpage/98202.php
Shelton attempts to defend himself, but falls short
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2008/10/03/Opinions/Mailbag-3468663.shtml
Students' well-being hardly addressed in town hall meeting
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2008/10/03/Opinions/Mailbag-3468663.shtml
Layoffs!
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2008/10/03/News/Shelton.Addresses.Morale.Layoffs-3468788.shtml
Tuition hike will hurt students
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2008/10/03/News/Shelton.Addresses.Morale.Layoffs-3468788.shtml
Graduate Assistants Fight Back!
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2008/09/26/Opinions/Mailbag-3455018.shtml
Try reading the Provost's idea of clear communication on the re-structuring and see if you can make sense of it.
http://provost.arizona.edu/transformation_information
(notice that the recent news listed at the bottom of the page doesn't include links to any criticism)
Reorganization Effort Causing 'Climate of Fear'
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/frontpage/98287.php
U of A May Eliminate Some Majors
http://www.tucsoncitizen.com/daily/frontpage/98202.php
Shelton attempts to defend himself, but falls short
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2008/10/03/Opinions/Mailbag-3468663.shtml
Students' well-being hardly addressed in town hall meeting
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2008/10/03/Opinions/Mailbag-3468663.shtml
Layoffs!
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2008/10/03/News/Shelton.Addresses.Morale.Layoffs-3468788.shtml
Tuition hike will hurt students
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2008/10/03/News/Shelton.Addresses.Morale.Layoffs-3468788.shtml
Graduate Assistants Fight Back!
http://media.wildcat.arizona.edu/media/storage/paper997/news/2008/09/26/Opinions/Mailbag-3455018.shtml
Try reading the Provost's idea of clear communication on the re-structuring and see if you can make sense of it.
http://provost.arizona.edu/transformation_information
(notice that the recent news listed at the bottom of the page doesn't include links to any criticism)
Ever wonder what your administration gets paid?
Pres. Shelton $420,000 (2006)
http://tucsoncitizen.com/know/uasalaries
Provost Hay $350,000 (2008)
(Board of Regents Meeting Minutes)
It has been suggested that some departmental, faculty and other employees take a pay cut in these difficult financial times. We have to ask ourselves: Are upper-level administrators also willing to take one for the team, or is that something only the lower-classes are supposed to do?
Write to these administrators and ask them how they are personally going to tighten their belts in order to contribute to the restructuring:
http://tucsoncitizen.com/know/uasalaries
Provost Hay $350,000 (2008)
(Board of Regents Meeting Minutes)
It has been suggested that some departmental, faculty and other employees take a pay cut in these difficult financial times. We have to ask ourselves: Are upper-level administrators also willing to take one for the team, or is that something only the lower-classes are supposed to do?
Write to these administrators and ask them how they are personally going to tighten their belts in order to contribute to the restructuring:
Robert N. Shelton, President
(520) 621-5511 / Fax: (520) 621-9323
Meredith Hay, Provost
(520) 621-1856 / Fax: (520) 621-9118
provost@email.arizona.edu
Why a Blog?
Due to the recent changes being made to the University of Arizona budget and the threatening language used by those in administration, we feel that it is time to stand up for ourselves.
At the same time, the administration has admonished us, send intimidating e-mails and discouraged us from having our voices heard; this is why we must stay anonymous.
Read our posts and decide for yourself how much public education is worth to you.
At the same time, the administration has admonished us, send intimidating e-mails and discouraged us from having our voices heard; this is why we must stay anonymous.
Read our posts and decide for yourself how much public education is worth to you.
What Does World-Class Education Mean To You?
On September 3, 2008, President Robert Shelton sent a memo to the University community about “Advancing Arizona’s World-Class University.” In this memo, he announced plans to “transform and strengthen The University of Arizona” and to “radically change the way we operate.”
Chief among the goals of President Shelton and Provost Meredith Hay is the streamlining of the University through consolidation of departments, colleges, and administrative positions. These plans have the potential to create exciting and productive connections between faculty and students across campus and to push the University of Arizona to the top tier of public universities. Unfortunately, it has become clear that many of the plans proposed by President Robert Shelton and Provost Meredith Hay may compromise the University of Arizona’s mission to “discover, educate, serve and inspire.” The University faces many challenges and needs to change to face them, but the current agenda does not make fiscal or educational sense.
What are the dangers?
One of the ways in which President Shelton and Provost Hay plan to save money is in course size and teaching workload. Many courses at the University of Arizona are already much larger than courses at our state and national peer institutions. Large courses negatively affect student learning and engagement with the education process, especially in foundational subjects such as first year writing, foreign languages, introductory science and math, and general education classes.
Many of these courses are taught by already over-burdened faculty, graduate students and teaching assistants, and as class sizes and workloads go up, they will be unable to give students the individual attention needed to foster learning and academic success.
It has also been proposed that many of these classes be placed online. But incoming students need the kind of personal, individual attention that can only be offered in a classroom setting. Education needs personal contact to be efficient. Placing classes online tells these students that they are not valued and displaces them from the dynamic and creative learning environment of the university setting. Studies also show that online courses create even more work for faculty and graduate students, giving them less opportunity to give students the attention they need.
In addition, students at the University of Arizona do not have access to many of the resources needed to achieve a truly “World-Class” education. The UA Libraries have been forced to reduce their acquisition of new materials and cut many journal subscriptions because the budget has not kept up with inflation. Many buildings and classrooms lack any modern instructional technology, and basic facilities are not properly maintained.
What does this mean for you and your student?
This semester the U of A has record enrollment: 38,057 students, according to the Tucson Citizen. This year the administration required that several departments open their class sizes to accommodate more students, thereby decreasing the amount of time and attention the instructor can devote to each student. At the same time, the university spent $250,000 on billboards in Phoenix in order to attract even more students. The Arizona Board of Regents recently approved a 13% tuition increase, or about $726 per in-state undergraduate.
Now President Shelton has asked the Arizona Board of Regents for an additional 13.6 million dollars to expand the medical school in Phoenix, while admitting to the Tucson Citizen that the UA is currently unable to offer its existing faculty salaries that even meet the national mean. The administration has now explicitly stated that many departments and programs will be eliminated by June 2009. It is important to consider how this will change the quality of education at our university.
The cost of tuition will continue to go up while your students attend the University of Arizona. But as class sizes go up, the return on your educational investment decreases. Essentially, you are paying more for less. Larger class sizes and higher workloads for faculty, graduate students, and teaching assistants mean that students will not get the kind of education that you need to succeed in higher education or the professional world.
What can you do?
Cutting-edge research comes from critical thinkers. The University needs to attract quality faculty by offering competitive salaries and benefits. Educational resources cannot be sacrificed in order to make way for public relations programs. While the University has a responsibility to itself and its students to remain financially sound, it should not be run like a business. Diverting money from one area of studies to another that happens to be more profitable at the time is not the reasonable response to these budget problems.
The University of Arizona needs to know that you value learning and that you and your children want to get a truly world-class education. Please contact President Shelton, Provost Hay, and the Arizona Board of Regents and let them know that in order for the University to become a top-tier institute of higher learning, class sizes and teaching workloads must be reduced to make sure that your education is meaningful.
Robert N. Shelton, PresidentAdministration Building, Room 7121401 East University Boulevard Tucson, Arizona 85721-0066
(520) 621-5511 / Fax: (520) 621-9323
Robert.shelton@arizona.edu
Meredith Hay, ProvostAdministration Building 512PO Box 210066Tucson, Arizona 85721-0066
(520) 621-1856 / Fax: (520) 621-9118
provost@email.arizona.edu
Arizona Board of Regents2020 N. Central Ave., Suite 230Phoenix, AZ 85004-4593(602) 229-2500 / Fax: (602) 229-2555
http://www.azregents.edu
The State of Arizona also needs to know that you value higher education. Write to your state representative and Governor Janet Napolitano and tell them that you believe in increased funding for higher education.
The Honorable Janet NapolitanoGovernor of Arizona1700 West WashingtonPhoenix, Arizona 85007 800-253-0883 / Fax: (602) 542-1381
Find your state legislator at: http://www.azleg.gov/
Finally, please consider donating to The University of Arizona.
The University of Arizona Foundation
1111 N. Cherry Ave.P.O. Box 210109Tucson, AZ 85721-0109
520-621-9077 / Fax: 520-621-8820
http://www.uafoundation.org
Chief among the goals of President Shelton and Provost Meredith Hay is the streamlining of the University through consolidation of departments, colleges, and administrative positions. These plans have the potential to create exciting and productive connections between faculty and students across campus and to push the University of Arizona to the top tier of public universities. Unfortunately, it has become clear that many of the plans proposed by President Robert Shelton and Provost Meredith Hay may compromise the University of Arizona’s mission to “discover, educate, serve and inspire.” The University faces many challenges and needs to change to face them, but the current agenda does not make fiscal or educational sense.
What are the dangers?
One of the ways in which President Shelton and Provost Hay plan to save money is in course size and teaching workload. Many courses at the University of Arizona are already much larger than courses at our state and national peer institutions. Large courses negatively affect student learning and engagement with the education process, especially in foundational subjects such as first year writing, foreign languages, introductory science and math, and general education classes.
Many of these courses are taught by already over-burdened faculty, graduate students and teaching assistants, and as class sizes and workloads go up, they will be unable to give students the individual attention needed to foster learning and academic success.
It has also been proposed that many of these classes be placed online. But incoming students need the kind of personal, individual attention that can only be offered in a classroom setting. Education needs personal contact to be efficient. Placing classes online tells these students that they are not valued and displaces them from the dynamic and creative learning environment of the university setting. Studies also show that online courses create even more work for faculty and graduate students, giving them less opportunity to give students the attention they need.
In addition, students at the University of Arizona do not have access to many of the resources needed to achieve a truly “World-Class” education. The UA Libraries have been forced to reduce their acquisition of new materials and cut many journal subscriptions because the budget has not kept up with inflation. Many buildings and classrooms lack any modern instructional technology, and basic facilities are not properly maintained.
What does this mean for you and your student?
This semester the U of A has record enrollment: 38,057 students, according to the Tucson Citizen. This year the administration required that several departments open their class sizes to accommodate more students, thereby decreasing the amount of time and attention the instructor can devote to each student. At the same time, the university spent $250,000 on billboards in Phoenix in order to attract even more students. The Arizona Board of Regents recently approved a 13% tuition increase, or about $726 per in-state undergraduate.
Now President Shelton has asked the Arizona Board of Regents for an additional 13.6 million dollars to expand the medical school in Phoenix, while admitting to the Tucson Citizen that the UA is currently unable to offer its existing faculty salaries that even meet the national mean. The administration has now explicitly stated that many departments and programs will be eliminated by June 2009. It is important to consider how this will change the quality of education at our university.
The cost of tuition will continue to go up while your students attend the University of Arizona. But as class sizes go up, the return on your educational investment decreases. Essentially, you are paying more for less. Larger class sizes and higher workloads for faculty, graduate students, and teaching assistants mean that students will not get the kind of education that you need to succeed in higher education or the professional world.
What can you do?
Cutting-edge research comes from critical thinkers. The University needs to attract quality faculty by offering competitive salaries and benefits. Educational resources cannot be sacrificed in order to make way for public relations programs. While the University has a responsibility to itself and its students to remain financially sound, it should not be run like a business. Diverting money from one area of studies to another that happens to be more profitable at the time is not the reasonable response to these budget problems.
The University of Arizona needs to know that you value learning and that you and your children want to get a truly world-class education. Please contact President Shelton, Provost Hay, and the Arizona Board of Regents and let them know that in order for the University to become a top-tier institute of higher learning, class sizes and teaching workloads must be reduced to make sure that your education is meaningful.
Robert N. Shelton, PresidentAdministration Building, Room 7121401 East University Boulevard Tucson, Arizona 85721-0066
(520) 621-5511 / Fax: (520) 621-9323
Robert.shelton@arizona.edu
Meredith Hay, ProvostAdministration Building 512PO Box 210066Tucson, Arizona 85721-0066
(520) 621-1856 / Fax: (520) 621-9118
provost@email.arizona.edu
Arizona Board of Regents2020 N. Central Ave., Suite 230Phoenix, AZ 85004-4593(602) 229-2500 / Fax: (602) 229-2555
http://www.azregents.edu
The State of Arizona also needs to know that you value higher education. Write to your state representative and Governor Janet Napolitano and tell them that you believe in increased funding for higher education.
The Honorable Janet NapolitanoGovernor of Arizona1700 West WashingtonPhoenix, Arizona 85007 800-253-0883 / Fax: (602) 542-1381
Find your state legislator at: http://www.azleg.gov/
Finally, please consider donating to The University of Arizona.
The University of Arizona Foundation
1111 N. Cherry Ave.P.O. Box 210109Tucson, AZ 85721-0109
520-621-9077 / Fax: 520-621-8820
http://www.uafoundation.org
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