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!
Friday, October 31, 2008
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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