Joe Genetin-Pilawa's summer paycheck depends on whether a class he is teaching off campus reaches its minimum enrollment requirement.

The history graduate student is teaching Modern United States history this summer in Birmingham.

As of Wednesday, nine students were enrolled in the class. Although he is not positive, Genetin-Pilawa believes he needs at least 10 students enrolled for the class to run.

"I know they have a break-even point," he said. "The enrollment has to cover the costs of the course and instructor, and I think that varies from place to place."

And Genetin-Pilawa isn't the only graduate student facing this problem.

Philosophy graduate student Douglas Ponticos' class — Ethical Issues in Health Care, which is to be taught in West Bloomfield — only had five students enrolled, as of Wednesday.

"There are at least three or four sections in philosophy that haven't filled up, and it looks like they won't fill up because we need a minimum of 10 people," Ponticos said.

"We're all trying independently to advertise for the courses, or I wouldn't have a job for the summer."

At the beginning of the month, Ponticos' advertising tactic was posting fliers across campus to attract students to the class. Genetin-Pilawa has asked faculty members in the Department of History to announce his class.

Another way he advertised was by announcing the off-campus course offering in his own class and e-mailing previous students who he thought might be interested.

However, Richard Peterson, chairperson of the Department of Philosophy, said it is still early to be determining whether the off-campus summer classes will be held.

"The general idea is that we calculate classes on what has been successful in the past," Peterson said. "I think generally that most, if not all, do run."

The department is offering three different off-campus courses this summer — in total, seven sections.

As of Wednesday, one section had reached the minimum enrollment of 10 students.

Although Genetin-Pilawa said he could probably find other work through the university this summer, he enjoys teaching courses over the summer.

"The pace is quicker, but it's a bit more of a laid-back environment, or laid-back course," he said. "The discussions are usually really good.

"People are a bit more relaxed because they are maybe only taking one class."