What would life at this university be like without the services of graduate teaching assistants? It seems likely that faculty members would have a much harder time adequately handling large classes without assistants to aid students, administer tests and assist in grading. Students might have a rough time, too. In some instances, an understanding and knowledgeable TA can be the difference between a 1.5 and a 3.5 grade-point average for students.
It is clear that graduate TAs provide a valuable service to the university. What is not clear is why MSU officials are risking losing these services by not offering Graduate Employees Union members an adequate contract. The GEU is threatening to strike after a contract offer from the administration failed to provide a wage increase, a change in health benefits and parking rights.
GEU members are right when they say not offering a wage increase is the same as taking money from TAs. The university has a responsibility to ensure wages increase with the rate of inflation. Administrators at MSU enjoyed raises above the 2.5 percent rate of inflation during the 2004-05 school year, and yet they will not offer a lesser raise to the TAs.
It also is important to note that rates for living on campus will rise next year. As many graduate assistants reside in University Apartments or Owen Graduate Hall, not accounting for that increase - as well as cost-of-living increases - is wrong.
Adequate health care benefits and parking rights also are reasonable expectations. As important employees of this university, GEU members should not be lumped in with undergraduate students who work on campus.
MSU has made some great strides in working toward global equality this year. President Lou Anna K. Simon has agreed to sign onto the Worker Rights Consortium, and all of our residence halls have committed to serving fair trade coffee. But with all that progress, the university is refusing to provide necessary standards to members of the MSU community.
We hope officials will see fit to change their offer soon, because academic life is sure to change dramatically without graduate student assistance.
