Biology Graduate Student Association
Department of Biology
5 Cummington Street
Boston, MA 02215
BGSA@bio.bu.edu
Dr. Dennis Berkey
Dean of Graduate School of Arts and Science
705 Commonwealth Avenue
Graduate School of Arts and Science
Boston, MA 02215
Dear Dr. Dennis Berkey,
We are writing to express our concern at the disparity in Teaching Fellow stipends between incoming and current graduate students. While an increase in the stipend has been necessary for some time, we feel that making students with little or no teaching experience the only benefactors is an ill-considered approach. As an employer, Boston University should make an equal and strong commitment to all of its employees, and should reward merit and experience. We fear that the cavalier nature of the current policy may have a negative effect on the morale of both new and returning graduate students. We hope that you will reconsider this initiative before it is enacted.
We look forward to having an opportunity to discuss our concerns now and in the future. Please feel free to contact us at anytime.
Sincerely,
Ioannis Batjakas
Chairperson, BGSA