The Issues
As graduate employees, we have all either overheard or participated in a “gripe session” regarding our treatment as graduate employees. GEO believes it is important to be able to identify and articulate our specific grievances. This is the first step towards organizing for our rights as workers. 472 graduate employees took a few minutes to take our short survey, which was extremely useful in identifying our core grievances.
- Wage and Workload
- Student Fees
- Health Care and Dental Insurance
- International Student Support
- Child Care
- Housing at Purdue Village
- Job Training
- Other Concerns
Wage and Workload
More than half of the 472 survey participants said they did not work the number of hours expected of them in accordance to their offer letter. In fact, eighty-two percent, on average, work six or more hours above the number of hours they are paid for. More than thirty percent work 20+ more hours than they are compensated for. Almost half of the 472 survey participants do not believe they are fairly compensated for the number of hours they work. 51.9 percent either disagreed or strongly disagreed with the statement: “I am able to maintain an adequate standard of living at the current stipend, without having to seek outside funding (i.e. student loans).”
In addition, there is often confusion as to what constitutes work, the number of vacation days allowed, the proper procedure for reporting issues of discrimination and abuse and a lack of support/training from respective departments.
Here are a few of your comments from the survey:
“It is very hard to live here when the prices are all going up, but the stipend is not. It distracts us from our work and worries us unnecessarily.” – Masters Student, International Student, RA, Agriculture
“. . . As for living expenses, rent has increased in the West Lafayette area in the last three years (almost $100 a month). This should be taken into consideration.” – Doctoral Student, Lecturer, Science
“My biggest concern as a teaching assistant is that my cost of living far exceeds that of my stipend and rises much more quickly. I am going on the job market in [the] fall already having declared bankruptcy once and owing $100,000 in student loans ($60,000 worth incurred at Purdue working on my MA and PhD).” – Doctoral Student, TA, Liberal Arts
“It is very hard, especially with the children, to meet the needs of decent living [on the current stipend].” – Doctoral Student, International Student, RA, Education
“Funding is so low that many graduate instructors resort to teaching ¾ or full load to make ends meet. This of course takes away funding from other students, and it is not an option for international students, for whom the financial pressures of graduate school are even higher, as they cannot legally supplement their salary. Purdue needs to pay a living wage to its graduate staff!” – Doctoral Student, TA, Liberal Arts
“Stipends should be adjusted yearly . . . It’s impossible for a student to keep a modest living with the stipend standard [from] four years ago.” -- Masters Student, International Student, RA, Engineering
“Stipend is WAY TOO LOW and half-time is just on paper, but most graduate students are working like full time.” – Master Student, International Student, TA, Technology
“The stipend does not cover all of my expenses, and additional courses are difficult to find. I have been forced to get an outside job, which cuts into my productivity as a student and researcher.” -- Doctoral Student, TA, Liberal Arts
“I’ve been fortunate in my career as a graduate student so far. But that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t or couldn’t do more to compensate all graduate students properly and fairly. Purdue should be looking for ways to improve its standing as a leader in this matter, instead of looking for excuses to underpay, undercompensated, and mistreat its graduate students.” – Doctoral Student, Lecturer, Liberal Arts
Student Fees
Graduate employees often live below the poverty line, and are forced to find ways to stretch meager salaries. This has become increasingly difficult, as we are expected to pay a portion of our student fees each semester. If we are going to give Purdue such a large chunk back out of our salaries each semester, we believe we have a right to know how and where our money is being used.
Here are a few comments from the survey:
“The fee imposed on grad students every semester defeats the purpose of a stipend, meager as it is.” – Doctoral Student, International Student, RA, Engineering
“The main problem I have as an engineering graduate student is the student fees. . . . It is a major hassle to have to budget for this large expense every semester.” – Masters Student, RA, Engineering
“It is burdensome to come up with to come up with these fees each semester in light of the fact that the services that these fees pay for are not itemized and many of these services may not be widely used by graduate students. – Doctoral Student, International Student, RA, Pharmacies, Nursing and Health Sciences
“The biggest problem with Purdue payroll for graduate students is the fees imposed for classes.” -- Doctoral Student, RA, Engineering
“The fees are WAY too expensive, and if I didn’t have my parents help out, I would NEVER be able to afford them . . .” – Doctoral Student, TA, Engineering
“All in all I am glad that I came to Purdue, and feel privileged to work as research assistant here. The stipend for my department is decent, and I feel that I work in a stimulating, usually pleasant environment. However, I do feel that the fees that must be paid by grad students each semester are too high, and the rate at which these fees increase is WAY too fast compared to any increases in pay (which are rare). Moreover, I strongly feel that Purdue needs to be more open about how these fees are spent, rather than just pooling them into a ‘general fund,’ which is neither transparent nor fiscally responsible.” – Doctoral Student, RA, Agriculture
Health Care and Dental Insurance
As graduate employees we are expected to wear many hats (activist, educator, researcher, student, parent, spouse/partner, etc.). It is often a trying task, which can wear on our bodies and minds. Because of this fact, it is important that we are provided with decent and affordable health care for ourselves and our loved ones. Lack of adequate health care is a very real and very serious issue for graduate employees at Purdue University. Although 60 percent of the 394 survey participants agree that Purdue’s health care plans are affordable, more than 36 percent either disagree or strongly disagree with the statement: “the overall quality of health care facilities and services offered by the graduate student package are adequate.” 66 percent of the seventy-five participants who answered yes to having dependents do not feel they can afford adequate health care for their children and spouses/partners. In addition, several participants commented that they felt women’s health, dental care packages and access to mental health care leaves much to be desired. Finally, many believe the price of prescriptions, including birth control, are outrageous at the University Pharmacy.
Here are some comments from the survey:“I purchased the more expensive of the 2 dental plan options, because the coverage included would cover specific procedures I need performed. After I enrolled and paid the actual coverage contract arrived, and those procedures had been removed. This seems dishonest/false advertising, and reflects poorly on the University.” – Doctoral Student, TA, Consumer and Family Sciences
“The health service I receive is very affordable, but I’m only paying for myself. Those that do have dependents pay an exorbitant amount for minimal coverage. The coverage is also ridiculous. Health insurance here does not cover a wide range of prescriptions, including birth control. This is not okay. Birth control should absolutely be covered through our insurance.” -- Doctoral Student, RA, Science
“Grad Student Health Insurance is very limiting for adequate/quality care. I think you should be able to go somewhere else besides PUSH if you want to. . . . I dislike PUSH because they make assumptions not based on your symptoms, but by what they commonly see. For instance, you have a cold (maybe strep) and they tell you that you probably have mono, which I’ve never had, but I lost track as to how many times I’ve been told I probably have it. If a woman comes in with an upset stomach, they assume she is pregnant. I had an upset stomach with pain that affected my vision, [I] threw up while I was waiting to see someone in Urgent Care, [and] they did blood tests to see “what was wrong.” They kept asking if I was more worried about the pain or the nausea. I said “pain,” but they only gave me medicine for the nausea. When they told me the lab results, all that was said was “you are not pregnant.” I knew of course I wasn’t pregnant, so I asked if they say anything else, they said no. They tried to give me an IV for 30 minutes (for hydration), and when they couldn’t get the need in, all they said was “well there’s nothing else we can do for you. It is 8 pm and we are closing.” So I went home with the lab result, [in] which there were a few things outside the normal range. Within 9 hours from leaving PUSH, I decided that the pain was too intense to be nothing so I went to the ER, was told that I had appendicitis, and had my appendix removed! Yes, all of that in 9 hours. Being at PUSH for the 8 hours it took for them to tell me “I wasn’t pregnant” was a horrible experience. I wish I had the option to go to a doctor that would actually listen to me when I said I had pain.” -- Doctoral Student, RA, Engineering
“The University’s health insurance plan to graduate students is horrible. We should not be forced to go to PUSH for care – we should be able to go elsewhere at comparable cost. Pretty much every experience I have had at PUSH has been terrible.” – Doctoral Student, Lecturer, Engineering
“The insurance plan for me is very good and has a low price. However, I can not afford to buy the insurance for my wife. Also, the dental insurance is not very good. It’s very basic, and most of the time it has only covered only around 20% of the total cost.” – Doctoral Student, RA, Engineering
“Graduate student health insurance is very cheap, which is great, but that is reflected in the coverage. If you cannot be treated at PUSH, you are out of luck. . . . It would be nice to at least have a CHOICE of better insurance. – Doctoral Student, International Student, RA, Pharmacies, Nursing and Health Sciences
“I am currently covered for health, but not dental because the additional coverage was not worth the premiums. Also, spousal health coverage is far too expensive. If my wife were to lose her coverage through her job, we would not be able to afford her coverage through Purdue.” – Masters Student, RA, Engineering
International Student Support
Almost half of all graduate employees are international students. In a post September 11th world we must be conscious of the specific needs of this group who, due to an increase in national security, face restrictions which can make navigating through graduate school more difficult than for most United States citizens. Many of us supplement our meager salaries with additional jobs or with student loans. For international students this is not an option, as federal law prohibits them from working more than 20 hours per week on campus, or from seeking off campus employment. In addition, it is very difficult for international students to acquire student loans.
Another pressing matter for international students is living conditions. Many reside in Purdue Village, which has been all but abandoned by Purdue University. It is often times too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. Their have been reports of brown water coming from the faucets, filthy hallways and stairways, outdated amenities and uncooperative and rude maintenance and office staff. Also, the destruction of these buildings, with no apparent effort to rebuild newer, more comfortable living spaces has, in many cases, disrupted the communities still residing in Purdue Village. Often times, the Village is the only option for international students who are seeking a home affordable enough to house families. They have established communities in which they depend on each other in order to alleviate some of their financial burdens. For example, families have set up day care systems, in which adults take turns caring for children, which have helped eliminate the need for expensive day care. The demolition of many of Purdue Village buildings has disrupted these types of partnerships.
Finally, the University must do more to promote awareness of the services provided specifically for international students. For example, more than half of the 164 survey participants who identified themselves as international students are unsure, disagreed, or strongly disagreed with the statement: “the University provides sufficient opportunities for graduate employees wishing to improve their English proficiency.” More than half are unsure if the University’s English training programs and its staff are adequately supported.
Here are a few comments:
“I need English training.” -- Doctoral Student, International Student, RA, Engineering
“It is very hard to live here when the prices are all going up, but the stipend is not. It distracts us from our work and worries us unnecessarily.” – Masters Student, International Student, RA, Agriculture
“It is very hard, especially with the children, to meet the needs of decent living [on the current stipend].” – Doctoral Student, International Student, RA, Education
“I was forced to move to another building because of assigning undergrad housing in PV apartments.” – Doctoral Student, International Student, RA, Engineering
Child Care
The University must make more of an effort to support graduate employees with children who are too young to attend school. 62.3 percent of the seventy-five survey participants who have dependents feel they are unable to find adequate and affordable day care for all of their children. There is also a need for more affordable health care plans for dependents.
Here is one comment from the survey:
“Graduate students with families need better stipends to afford being in grad school, and assistance with day care. Those two things will probably prevent me from being able to go on and work on my PhD.” – Masters Student, Lecturer, Liberal Arts
Housing at Purdue Village
Many graduate employees, in particular international students, reside in Purdue Village. It is conveniently located on campus, and is affordable for students with families. Despite these facts, Purdue Village has been all but abandoned by the University. It is often times too hot in the summer and too cold in the winter. Their have been reports of brown water coming from the faucets, filthy hallways and stair ways, outdated amenities and uncooperative and rude maintenance and office staff. Many residents have noted that, despite the annual raise in rent, there have been no obvious improvements. Also, the destruction of these buildings, with no apparent effort to rebuild newer, more comfortable living spaces, has, in many cases, disrupted the communities still residing in Purdue Village.
Here are some of the comments from the survey:
“The quality is not even comparable to the price and also price is increasing annually!” – Doctoral Student, International Student, RA, Engineering
“If [Purdue] would invest in insulating the walls, double pane the windows, and installing thermostats, you would probably save a ton of money in the long run. We had a window open all summer long just to keep it from getting uncomfortably hot. Our friends at the end of the same building (end of the heating line) had the opposite problem.” -- Masters Student, RA, Agriculture
“The Purdue Village need[s] renovation in everything! – Doctoral Student, RA, Science
“1. Poor conditions of house. 2. Poor heating during cold winter days. 3. Unresponsive maintenance staff. 4. Rents are very high for a single bedroom apartment.” -- Doctoral Student, Admin. Assistant, Engineering
“People working at the Main Office of Purdue are really mean.” – Doctoral Student, TA, Science
“Water quality is too bad. Everyday, I can see dark reddish rust come out of [the] hot water faucets.” – Doctoral Student, TA, Education
“The buildings are extremely dirty. The staff from the Main Office is extremely not polite and never wants to help you. They raise the rent, but our salary is the same, why?” – Doctoral Student, International Student, TA, Science
“[The] quality is decreasing very fast and costs are increasing.” – Doctoral Student, International Student, TA, Science
“While it was marginally acceptable at the beginning, prices have gone up . . . with no obvious change in facilities or service.” – Doctoral Student, TA, Liberal Arts
Job Training
Like any other job, it is important that graduate employees are properly trained. As teaching assistants and lecturers of undergraduate students, we play a major role in Purdue’s primary project: education. Likewise, graduate students who serve as research assistants have contributed to Purdue’s reputation as a credible research institution. Overworked, underpaid and unprepared graduate employees do not benefit the institutions educational reputation. In order to serve as affective researchers, instructors and graders, it is essential that we receive adequate training before we begin working.
Here are a few comments:
“Often times we don’t have much control over what lectures/labs we teach and I’ve taught at least two labs where I had not had the class myself at any point. I believe this is unfair to the students and myself.” – Doctoral Student, TA, Science
“As a graduate student in the lab, I hardly was taught what to do . . . I understand one should learn on their own, but at least the first year a student should be given guidance. I was never given anything of the sort, and I wish that what I have learned was correct.” – Doctoral Student, RA, Science
“More time should be spent by the professors and advisors preparing the new incoming students for their teaching responsibilities. It feels like many of the students are unprepared to teach at the college level; therefore do not represent the school well. – Doctoral Student, Lecturer, Science
It would be fantastic if there were actually training sessions performed in the lab so that new students could be oriented with the many different techniques being used rather than the “self-help” method which simply wastes a lot of time. – Doctoral Student, International Student, RA, Agriculture
“I wish Purdue would offer workshops more than once a semester.” – Masters Student, RA, Agriculture
More interaction with experienced faculty who has taught the courses I’m assigned to teach would benefit me and my students greatly.” – Doctoral Student, International Student, TA, Liberal Arts
“What is training? I hardly know what I am supposed to be doing. Communication is poor, it is like you are expected to know what the class is all about and exactly how the Professor runs the class . . . as if we were mind readers. You are bogged down with ridiculous requests . . .” – Masters Student, RA, Technology
“My preparedness is not the result of any university train and/or mentorship.” – Doctoral Student, TA, Science
“Having had no prior teaching experience, a mere five days of “orientation” – all of which were poorly structured, empty of substantive content, and failed to cover the real basics of competent pedagogy – proved woefully inadequate.” – Masters Student, TA, Liberal Arts
“. . . I was asked to perform duties that I had absolutely NO training for.” – Doctoral Student, TA, Consumer and Family Sciences
“[My] supervisor did not train me adequately.” – Doctoral Student, TA, Consumer and Family Sciences
“I’ve never been prepared to do my job.” – Doctoral Student, International Student, RA, Technology
“I am [prepared to do my job], thanks to several years of experience. . . . The prep time before beginning at TA position (1 week) is not adequate.” -- Doctoral Student, TA, Liberal Arts
“I was placed in a classroom to teach a section with no formal departmental training or support.” – Doctoral Student, Lecturer, Liberal Arts
“I feel that, as a graduate instructor, I am expected to be fluent with more technology than I am trained for and the training I did receive in technology was poor. The quality of first year mentoring seems to vary considerably, so some receive better training than others.” – Doctoral Student, TA, Liberal Arts
“My preparation is in great part due to experience I had before becoming a graduate student.” – Doctoral Student, TA, Liberal Arts
“I was a fish thrown fifty feet into the beach. I flopped my way back.” -- Masters Student, TA, Liberal Arts
Other Concerns
Many graduate employees have also expressed dissatisfaction for other issues, including parking and a lack of sensitivity towards accomodating the dual roles that graduate students serve at Purdue.
Parking
Many graduate employees feel that the parking situation leaves much to be desired. The parking spaces allotted for Purdue students are not well lit and need to be paved. As graduate employees we should not have to compete with undergraduate students for parking.
Here are some of your comments:
“A concern that I have as a grad student . . . is campus parking conditions. . . . I will be preparing to co-teach courses in the future, I believe that the parking issues for grad students (though also in regard to all students) must be addressed. Parking spaces at the decent distance from campus are extremely limited. This is a major grievance for grad students . . .” [who is this attributed too?]
“Parking is terrible for graduate employee -- we are forced to fight with undergraduates for parking.” – Masters Student, TA, Pharmacies, Nursing and Health Sciences
Balancing Student/Employee Roles
Another problem felt by many graduate student employees is the pressure to fulfill two competing and demanding roles at the university. On the one hand, all of us are here to study and train under the guidance of the highly respected faculty of this institution; on the other hand, we have a duty as TAs to provide our students with the highest possible education and as RAs to perform the demanding duties asked of by our supervisors. GEO hopes to open up a dialogue about this issue which impacts the well being of graduate employees as well as the quality of research and education done across all disciplines at Purdue.
Here are some of your comments:
“The mental and physical health of graduate students needs to be of greater concern to professors/supervisors. We are human beings not robots!” – Doctoral Student, RA, Pharmacies, Nursing, and Health Sciences
“In the past, I have worked as a teaching assistant, and I was the instructor. I wasn’t anyone’s assistant to anyone. I was the sole individual responsible for my course(s) and was grossly underpaid. Now, I am working for a different department with a 0.75FTE and I work more than what I am paid. In addition, anything above 0.50FTE should not be allowed, because it becomes difficult, if not impossible, to concentrate on research for the degree completion. Most students (myself included) work more than 0.50FTE to pay the bills . . . I have two other part time jobs in addition to the .75FTE position.” – Doctoral Student, Administrative Assistant, Liberal Arts
“It is very hard to live here when the prices are all going up, but the stipend is not. It distracts us from our work and worries us unnecessarily.” – Masters Student, International Student, RA, Agriculture
