To: TFs, Grad. Students, and Faculty
Re: TF pay disparity
Hello,
I am a TF in the Dept. of Computer Science and wanted to inform you of the disparity in pay between new and continuing TFs in CAS.
In the natural sciences, new students who are TFs are making $1000 more this year than continuing student TFs. A disparity also exists for new and continuing TFs in humanities and social sciences depts.; however, the TF pay scale for those types of depts. is different than the natural sciences.
This is an issue that should interest all TFs, not just continuing TFs, since such pay practices may affect new TFs in the future.
I was wondering if students in your dept. have done anything to protest this unfair pay scale? In my dept., we have constructed a letter (which graduate students have signed) and sent it to Dean Berkey. Our faculty has also sent a letter. In addition, I have begun talking to other depts. in CAS to discuss the situation.
If nothing has been done yet, I was hoping your dept. would like to send a letter of its own. I realize that TFs are probably busy with teaching, taking classes or other duties, but I feel it is important to stand up against inappropriate pay practices. I'd suggest having one representative student gather support from students and faculty and send letters to Dean Berkey.
Please let me know what you decide to do. I'd very much like to have one or two student contacts who will address the problem in your dept.
Feel free to contact me. I can give additional information, including the text of the letter that we sent.
Thanks,
Rob Pitts
Dept. of Computer Science
111 Cummington St.