tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36972982.post2232729377566166599..comments2023-09-07T02:16:50.687-07:00Comments on Tammi Tasting Terroir: Ten Things Postgrads Want: An Ironic ManifestoTammoishttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06964566196107658056noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36972982.post-19297844452152691752010-02-08T21:29:14.233-08:002010-02-08T21:29:14.233-08:00I'm glad I followed the links from the New Mat...I'm glad I followed the links from the New Matilda website to your blog. <br /><br />I've read a number of your posts and they're all very familiar to me as a sessional/phd candidate at UTAS, particularly:<br /> <br />-casual tutoring with little pay (great 'hourly' rate but when you have to mark 20-odd essays as part of that 'hourly rate', particularly at the repeat tutorial rate, it ceases to seem like good pay =$3-4/hr)<br />-the university asking postgrads to give lectures for free (it hasn't happened to me because there are only a couple of us postgrads in my subject so the competition's not there, but it's happened to friends of mine in popular RHD subjects).<br />-lack of consultation/work space for tutors.<br />-Fellow PhD students running out of time on their APA, having to get part time jobs and eventually giving up on their almost complete PhD.<br /><br />Your postgrad wish list is spot on. It'd be fantastic if our scholarships could last for 4 years. I'd love to have access to printing and an adequate, healthy workspace.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36972982.post-72475144693323194312009-12-20T01:23:53.689-08:002009-12-20T01:23:53.689-08:00I don't think that the university or governmen...I don't think that the university or government will overtly give PhD students what they want. But, as a PhD student myself, I have noticed that PhD students tend to get their way with things when they push their limits. But the catch is that has to be covert.<br /><br />Did you know that through the RTS performance index, a university's funding is 50% based on a successful PhD completion? Now, if this PhD student were to quit for lack of funds or any other reason, the university in question would lose future research funding under the RTS. <br /><br />Unlike any other worker, PhD students are irreplacable and no one else can complete the PhD project. In other words, the university can't "fire" a PhD student no matter how badly they perform.<br /><br />I've often worked outside my 8 hour restriction and, even though my uni found out, no action was taken - not even a warning. Once, I demanded to be paid for unpaid hours on casual teaching. At first management was reluctant but when I threatened to take my PhD to another institution they agreed to review the situation and I got paid. They asked me afterward to exercise discretion on this matter.<br /><br />PhD students hold great power, especially those who are on the verge of completion - since no institution would want to see their cash cow leave - especially a cash cow who only pays on graduation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36972982.post-63835016960359040932009-12-16T06:32:46.910-08:002009-12-16T06:32:46.910-08:00I only found out about the conference the day befo...I only found out about the conference the day before it started and had other engagements. I won't miss another and will continue to address these issues.Paolo Scimonehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03622807019098478130noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36972982.post-89734684591546258482009-12-09T05:44:22.239-08:002009-12-09T05:44:22.239-08:00If we got all this I'd be pretty darn happy, a...If we got all this I'd be pretty darn happy, and in a much better position to actually do my work. That's pretty sad isn't it? Not exactly much to ask for.lisanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36972982.post-10319004885254695632009-11-24T01:03:37.876-08:002009-11-24T01:03:37.876-08:00Thanks, Nate. CAPA has been pushing that barrow fo...Thanks, Nate. CAPA has been pushing that barrow for awhile but still haven't won it yet. I've added it into the first point now. It would both help those who need additional work and those who need to mind their children (or care for older parents, etc).Tammoishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06964566196107658056noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36972982.post-67877953141045895032009-11-23T22:02:08.540-08:002009-11-23T22:02:08.540-08:00might not be full manifesto material, but increase...might not be full manifesto material, but increased flexibility with APAs. in particular, the option to go part time without losing scholarship privileges would really help during periods of heavy teaching. <br /><br />- nateAnonymousnoreply@blogger.com