Hello,
Some of you may not know that this year there is a disparity between the pay for new and continuing TFs. New TFs are making $11,500/year (or $5750/sem) while continuing TFs are only making $10,500/year (or $5250/sem), in other words, $1000 less per year. This may also affect some grad. students who are teaching, but that are not strictly TFs. Obviously, this policy is distinctly unfair.
Dave Martin and I have done some research into the problem and found that this seems to be a policy of CAS/GRS that was decided upon by Dean Berkey. In contrast to our college, the College of Engineering raised the stipend for all TFs to $11,500 to be competitive with the rate for new CAS TFs.
In addition, there were also some problems with continuing research fellows (RFs) not being paid at the same rate as new RFs. Some of these have been resolved, but it is probably in the interest of RFs to look at their pay rate with their supporting faculty.
Dave and I have drafted a letter that we will send to Dean Berkey to protest the unfair pay of continuing TFs (and shown the letter to Prof. Snyder, the acting chairperson). A copy of the text of the letter can be found at the end of this message. While the language of the letter is strong, we think it is appropriate. You should note that it is not meant to diminish the talents of new TFs.
We would like *all* TFs and RFs to sign the letter, which will be left in the 2nd floor lounge for the next few days. Continuing TFs should especially make an effort to do so, since you are the ones affected. I will also bring the letter to the grad. student meeting scheduled for this Thursday and answer any questions there.
We'd also like sympathetic faculty to support us by sending their own letters, or perhaps, a group letter from the dept. faculty.
Thank you,
--Rob Pitts
Student letter follows:
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Dear Dean Berkey:
We are writing in order to ask you to remove the current disparity between the salaries of new and continuing teaching fellows. As you know, TFs arriving this semester are paid 10% more than continuing TFs.
Continuing TFs are extremely important to the University. Because they have more experience than new students, they make better lecturers, participate more fully in the management of courses, and act as mentors for new TFs. It is distinctly unfair that they are paid less than new TFs, who come with less experience and look to continuing TFs for guidance.
The 10% raise given to new TFs and RFs indicates that you agree students are underpaid. However, we believe that the current policy is effectively an exploitation of the continuing TFs' lack of mobility. In essence, the salary disparity asks them to pay for a budget shortfall without giving them the option of declining. We do not see why the continuing TFs should be singled out and held responsible for the University's financial situation and find it disrespectful that they have been treated in this manner.
We would like to ask you to please reconsider this policy. We look forward to your reply.