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.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
