Should grad students at PSU have union representation?

[The Spin Meister]

Seems a union has filed as of Feb 22 to represent grad students and fellows. Here is a statement by Barron on that subject.

While we understand that there may be issues upon which we can improve, we are committed to doing so in ways that best protect the varying needs of our diverse graduate student population. We do not believe a collective bargaining agreement with a union – which is designed to serve the interests of a collective whole and the union itself, rather than individual students – could ever best serve the needs of our graduate students or the University. In fact, we believe it could impede the academic and mentoring relationships Penn State has with its graduate students.

 

[83wuzme]

I have often thought one of the closest things we have had to slavery in modern America is the student - "Adviser " grad school system in the sciences.

 

[lein]

Sure, so long as it is 100% voluntary. Anyone who wants to join and is in the eligible class, can. Likewise, anyone in that class and wants nothing to do with the Union has no wages garnished for the Union and they are free to negotiate their own deal

 

[Rip_E_2_Joe_PA]

Every recruit in every program needs union representation. The are why assholes like Baron....the psycho Harbaugh....Kelly ...the douche that was at Baylor...the entire university employee set at UNC....Mike McQuery...et all get more money in horrific multiples than they are worth ...ourBOT included. They pay multi-billion dollars in facilities.... If a kid goes to Noter Same because they want a degree from Notre Dame and play for the history there why should they not get the protection from abuse from that phucking moron Kelly. Reps need to be there when then promises are made
A union would do what the phucking
NCAA has to do.

 

[Sproul]

I have often thought one of the closest things we have had to slavery in modern America is the student - "Adviser " grad school system in the sciences.

Well that's wrong. There is actual slavery in America still.

 

[katchthis]

I have often thought one of the closest things we have had to slavery in modern America is the student - "Adviser " grad school system in the sciences.

If you every did a surgical residency, you have experienced at the least exploitation. Working over a 100 hours per week on little sleep, and producing hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue. All the while, being belittled by the attending staff.

 

[Nashville Lion]

I have often thought one of the closest things we have had to slavery in modern America is the student - "Adviser " grad school system in the sciences.

I agree with this....when I was Masters/PhD candidate in science at PSU....we worked every day of the week....and sometimes 12 hours a day. I remember when I had to redo some data before my dissertation, I drove onto campus to use the NMR...when the roads were closed due to snow storm...but I had a deadline and only so much time on the instrument....and we got paid peanuts.