2008 Woodie Awards
Rogers: Just what the doctoral candidate ordered
Danny Rogers
Issue date: 3/12/08 Section: Opinion
Bravissimo, Provost Farvardin and the entire strategic planning committee. Reading the Strategic Plan working document was just the pick-me-up I needed after learning of the demise of the graduate student unionization bill in the Maryland General Assembly. It reminds me of that vindicated feeling I get when my professor has graded something incorrectly on an exam and given me points back, or when I find out later that some crazy ex-girlfriend is in an unhappy relationship with a total loser after I've happily moved on.
In case you haven't had time to read the document, here's an overview of what they are proposing.
- Recruitment and resource allocation: The committee proposes reducing the number of doctoral students by 1,000. Though it may sound harsh at first glance, this is actually a good thing. By focusing on targeted recruitment and honing admissions, this policy will make the school more competitive. It will also alleviate some of the demand on the saturated housing market and improve the completion rate by raising the caliber of the graduate student population.
- The campus community: Improvements to the campus community are addressed in a separate section. While not directly aimed at graduate students, improving College Park per the committee's suggestions would have a profound impact on graduate student life. The document supports developing new, affordable housing within walking distance of the campus, revitalizing the Route 1 corridor and curbing rampant crime. All of these things would help immensely in attracting and keeping better graduate students.
- Housing and rent subsidies: The graduate education document specifically discusses affordable housing options for graduate students. It mentions the new housing in East Campus and calls for the creation of enough safe, affordable and convenient housing to accommodate all the graduate students who want it. While the statement is vague, it certainly summarizes the most important point when it comes to accessible housing for graduate students, namely that there isn't enough of it. Another, more specific, section instructs colleges to provide competitive rent subsidies. Excellent idea, Provost Farvardin.
- Stipends and support: The document mentions a number of specific areas of improvement. First of all, it proposes increasing the stipends to a minimum of $18,000. Second, it includes a specific mention of reducing the burden of health insurance for graduate students. This is an upcoming issue as the graduate council finalizes a plan on mandatory health insurance for graduate students. I am glad to see an overarching philosophy mentioned that emphasizes the burden of health insurance.
- Workload and degree completion: The document states that graduate programs should ensure that TA workloads "are consistent with the educational objectives of the student and the program." To me, this means no more 30 hours-per-week teaching assistantships that inhibit progress toward a degree. And speaking of degree completion, the document states that graduate students should complete their degrees in four to six years. Farewell and good riddance to the era of indentured graduate student servitude.
- Institutional grievance procedure: This has been a long-standing issue of contention. For years there has been little more than a promise to implement a formal grievance procedure for graduate students. After so much talk, it is time to act. Thank you to the strategic planning committee for recognizing this.
As you can see, this document reads almost like a page from the Graduate Student Government website. It represents a windfall of recognition of the current state of the graduate school at the university, and it comes from very high levels in the administration. It contains some key ideas, but as the old proverb says, great ideas can be doomed by poor implementation. Let's hope this document contains more than just words on a page, and that these ideas don't go the way of the yet-to-be-implemented grievance procedure or the eternally-elusive graduate center. Let's hope they get translated into action in the course of the next decade and that Provost Farvardin and the strategic planning committee represent a new era of thinking in the university administration.
In the meantime, it just feels nice to be heard. Thanks for listening, Provost Farvardin and committee members and good luck.
Danny Rogers is a graduate student in the chemical physics program. He can be reached at drogers2@umd.edu.
In case you haven't had time to read the document, here's an overview of what they are proposing.
- Recruitment and resource allocation: The committee proposes reducing the number of doctoral students by 1,000. Though it may sound harsh at first glance, this is actually a good thing. By focusing on targeted recruitment and honing admissions, this policy will make the school more competitive. It will also alleviate some of the demand on the saturated housing market and improve the completion rate by raising the caliber of the graduate student population.
- The campus community: Improvements to the campus community are addressed in a separate section. While not directly aimed at graduate students, improving College Park per the committee's suggestions would have a profound impact on graduate student life. The document supports developing new, affordable housing within walking distance of the campus, revitalizing the Route 1 corridor and curbing rampant crime. All of these things would help immensely in attracting and keeping better graduate students.
- Housing and rent subsidies: The graduate education document specifically discusses affordable housing options for graduate students. It mentions the new housing in East Campus and calls for the creation of enough safe, affordable and convenient housing to accommodate all the graduate students who want it. While the statement is vague, it certainly summarizes the most important point when it comes to accessible housing for graduate students, namely that there isn't enough of it. Another, more specific, section instructs colleges to provide competitive rent subsidies. Excellent idea, Provost Farvardin.
- Stipends and support: The document mentions a number of specific areas of improvement. First of all, it proposes increasing the stipends to a minimum of $18,000. Second, it includes a specific mention of reducing the burden of health insurance for graduate students. This is an upcoming issue as the graduate council finalizes a plan on mandatory health insurance for graduate students. I am glad to see an overarching philosophy mentioned that emphasizes the burden of health insurance.
- Workload and degree completion: The document states that graduate programs should ensure that TA workloads "are consistent with the educational objectives of the student and the program." To me, this means no more 30 hours-per-week teaching assistantships that inhibit progress toward a degree. And speaking of degree completion, the document states that graduate students should complete their degrees in four to six years. Farewell and good riddance to the era of indentured graduate student servitude.
- Institutional grievance procedure: This has been a long-standing issue of contention. For years there has been little more than a promise to implement a formal grievance procedure for graduate students. After so much talk, it is time to act. Thank you to the strategic planning committee for recognizing this.
As you can see, this document reads almost like a page from the Graduate Student Government website. It represents a windfall of recognition of the current state of the graduate school at the university, and it comes from very high levels in the administration. It contains some key ideas, but as the old proverb says, great ideas can be doomed by poor implementation. Let's hope this document contains more than just words on a page, and that these ideas don't go the way of the yet-to-be-implemented grievance procedure or the eternally-elusive graduate center. Let's hope they get translated into action in the course of the next decade and that Provost Farvardin and the strategic planning committee represent a new era of thinking in the university administration.
In the meantime, it just feels nice to be heard. Thanks for listening, Provost Farvardin and committee members and good luck.
Danny Rogers is a graduate student in the chemical physics program. He can be reached at drogers2@umd.edu.
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