I would just like to make some comments, especially for the undergraduates out there who are upset about the strike.

Some of you may think that the strike was uncalled for. I would like to reiterate that the GEO has done everything in it’s power to avoid a strike. The University presented an extremely regressive proposal that was unacceptable to us, just four days before our previous contract expired in August. The University then refused to negotiate with the GEO until just a few weeks ago when the GEO bargaining team threatened to call for a strike authorization vote. The stalled negotiations meant that your TAs have been working for the past three months without a contract. Again, the threat of a strike was the only thing that made the University bargaining team budge in any way in the bargaining room.

In every GEO meeting from that point on, people expressed their concerns for how a potential strike would affect their students. LET ME TELL YOU THAT YOUR TAs DO CARE ABOUT YOU VERY MUCH. However, in light of the threats we were facing with the current contract proposal, especially with respect to our tuition waivers, and the fact that the threat of a strike was the only way we had been able to get the University to bargain with us, we had to put our guilt aside and prepare for a strike. Truly, we believe that we did what was best for the University, for higher education, and for you in the long-run.

I would also like to thank the undergraduates who stood with the GEO in solidarity and did not cross picket lines. You helped to end the strike quickly and successfully. Thank you.

Being a freshman, never knew TAs got tuition waivers and pay on top of that. I always thought they pay full tuition but just get paid a flat salary for the classes they teach. Not sure why they are complaining so much, you would think free school is good enough. Getting pay and insurance on top of that is great no matter what it is in my opinion.

Also wondered, why are bringing this up now, before they started graduate school didn't they know the terms and conditions? Or did the school promise something to them and never came through?

Almost all my classes are taught by TAs, which in my opinion, are OK at best; most are hard to understand and/or not very good at explaining things. Where are all the world class professors that Illinois claims to have? The one professor I have doesn't even hold office hours and plays email tag when you want to meet her, I assume its her way of saying don't bother me and the TA for that class just confuses me more; have really no one to turn to... Was hoping for more with the money I'm spending here, wasn't expecting massive classes, TAs rioting and less than engaging faculty.

So.... we're back to where we were 2 days ago?

Hi Kristen,

I'm a GEO member and one of the ones who was out on strike (which was a completely legal and well-organized effort, not a "riot" as you suggest), and I want to address some of your questions.

First, I'd like to say that you have a right to be upset if you feel that UIUC advertises itself in a way to prospective students that distorts the reality of undergraduate education here. It very well may be that the fact that almost a quarter of classes here are taught by TAs is not a figure that ever makes it into the literature the admissions office publishes, and if that is the case, then your complaints should be directed at the admissions office--not at the TAs who teach your classes. It's not our fault that you were misled.

To answer your question about why the GEO is "bringing up" the tuition waiver issue now: the GEO was (until yesterday) in the midst of negotiating a new contract. We had been in negotiations for seven months, during which the administration stalled and stalled. The GEO fought for the security of tuition waivers because most graduate employees were promised tuition waivers for the duration of their time here at UIUC in their acceptance letters. However, last spring, the administration made known that it was considering tuition waivers for graduate employees with certain types of appointments--a decision which would have forced many graduate students (particularly in the fine arts) to drop out and which violated the promise the university had made to them upon their admission. Because the administration had very recently made efforts to strip tuition waivers from graduate employees, when contract negotiations began last April, tuition waiver security was one of the four central platforms of the GEO bargaining platform. I hope that answers your question.

Kristen,

Have some respect for your TAs. You WOULD NOT be able to learn here if it weren't for them. Sure, it's misleading that administration doesn't tell you how many teach classes. Guess what? TAs do the same thing at every large university, and that's life. The University doesn't want to emphasize it because of the negative connotation associated with graduate students teaching. This is completely unfair. I've been here for 3 years, and sure, I've had some bad TAs. I've had some bad, and some TERRIBLE, professors as well. Some of my TAs have been the most brilliant people I've ever met. Some are hard to understand, but so are some professors. U of I is a DIVERSE school... and I know they aren't trying to hide that, so if you didn't know you only have yourself to blame.

When you need help, it's much easier to track down a TA than a Professor, and often they sympathize as a fellow student. Not all graduate students are going to school for free, and a lot get grants from bodies outside the university as well. Again, many large universities have tuition waivers. It's part of the contract they've had for a long time. As far as health insurance, keep in mind as a student you get it for almost nothing, so there's no reason to complain about it being subsidized for graduate students.

Now, I'm an undergraduate, but I can tell you based on my experience most graduates work ridiculously hard to make sure your life is easier. Teaching isn't easy, and it can be extremely time consuming. Have you ever tried grading 200+ exams (and I don't mean Scantrons...)? It takes a LONG TIME. They work hard for what they get. We should all be proud of GEO for standing up for their rights. The university tries to make it appear that they're being ridiculous, but they're just ensuring their security. They have every right to strike, did their best to avoid it, and in the end, they did what worked, and were able to get something out of it. This is exactly how things should work. When you're unhappy with something, you throw off your oppressors and fight for it.

Give your TAs a few more semesters. Chances are you'll meet some amazing people. I can't begin to list the number of intelligent graduate students we have here. As for your professor not holding office hours, that's just a violation of policy, and if it bothers you, you should complain to a dean- he/she shouldn't be doing that. The world class professors? A lot of them teach graduate courses or 400 level courses. Sometimes the people teaching freshman courses aren't exactly "world class"... but then again, some of mine were, so you never know. Depends on major too.

Congratulations GEO.

Kristen,

While I'm not an wise old women, I can give you some tips... If you are having trouble with faculty just email the department head, trust me, they usually are responsive and will address your concern. Many times the department head will make time in his or her schedule to meet with you to help you one on one. You will quickly realize, there are some less than great faculty here at Illinois. Great researchers does not always translate to great teachers...

Yes, TAs are not always the easiest people to follow. Most do mean well, but most don't have enough teaching experience and therefore aren't every effective. From my experience, TAs are only good at explaining things one way. They haven't been teaching long enough to know how to explain things in different ways. Therefore my advice is to use TAs as a last resort option, I never see any of my TAs and go to the professor directly. TAs are usually good for technical questions like:

"when is the paper due?" "what is my grade?" "does this need to be double spaced" etc..

If you are looking for good, solid explanations, just seek out the professor. The professor is suppose to hold office hours and if he or she does not or is not keeping them (happens many times at Illinois) you need to alert the department head ASAP. I know you're a student and shouldn't have to play administrator, but unfortunately, its a fact of life here.

REMEMBER YOU PAY THEM, THEY DO NOT PAY YOU!!! So do not feel bad, be hesitant or even feel ashamed to ask for help from faculty, they OWE you their time, don't think they are doing a favor by helping you, its part of their job. Now the classes which there are no professors; there is always a course coordinator, contact that person, explain you do not follow your TA and need help. From my experience, they themselves will help you or at worst point you in a direction where you can get the help for which you paid for.

Illinois is far from perfect, over-rated in many ways also. It is unfortunately "everyman for themselves" here. You have to go out and get what you need here. Good luck and god speed!!!

Is it just me or did anyone notice many of these TAs rioting where actually probably in their mid-twenties but looked as if they were in their 40s or 50s?

At the University of Illinois, about 25% of all undergraduate classes are taught by Graduate Instructors. On average nationwide, for large state schools, graduate instructors are used for about 7% of all undergraduate classes. I assume Kristen, made an assumption that Illinois is like other large state schools, which is clearly not the case. Illinois has always been historically known for having a large number of courses taught by non-faculty, Princeton Review, when they used to rank schools in the category of "TAs teach too many classes" Illinois was always #1 or #2, MSU and Wisconsin were not far behind; while those rankings aren't an exact science, it can give one a rough idea.

Most large public state schools nationwide are actively trying to reduce the number of classes taught by non-faculty. I did my undergrad in engineering at Purdue, which is another large state school, actually larger than Illinois. In my four years there, my only class that was taught by anything less than a faculty member was my freshman english class, otherwise had a professor for every class I took.

So I can see Kristen's frustrations, but again during your college search, the fact that Illinois uses a lot of Graduate Instructors relative to other large state school should of popped up pretty quickly. Since you're a freshman, its really not too late to transfer to a private or another public state that is more undergraduate oriented. Schools like Iowa, Indiana and Michigan typically have very good reputations for freshman year programs, small classes, faculty and a lot of support you may not get here. If financially feasible, a private school is even a better option. Good luck!!

Graduate students come in all shapes, sizes, and ages. The idea that graduate students are nothing more than overgrown undergraduates is a myth perpetuated by those who have no idea what graduate school actually entails. If you think you're seeing people in their 30s and 40s, you probably are, since most grads take time off to work other jobs or try other careers between their undergraduate and graduate degrees. It's a big commitment-- 6-8, or more, years-- to get a PhD, so most people take the time to make sure they wouldn't be just as happy in a career that doesn't require an advanced degree before making the decision to go to graduate school.

When you're paying over $40,000 a year, one should never have a bad TA or bad professor nor should someone have to "give your TAs few more semesters". A true world class education begins on day 1, not during on your 4th or 5th semester. The University of Illinois admissions people need to be more open and disclose that Illinois use TAs excessively for undergraduate instruction (25% of undergrad courses are taught by TAs!!!!! Highest in the nation!!) and many classes are massive. This way prospective students can make better decisions about deciding to go here. Right now they are hiding how poor their undergraduate programs really are and using US News rankings as a cover. Many undergrads are mislead by admissions, I would have not come here if I really knew how this school worked.

I did, I have a TA who is 24, but looks 40. Some people just age poorly.

Kristen,

Illinois is a great research institution and a great place to do graduate work, but I never recommend Illinois for undergrad. You can get a lot more for your money at other schools. Illinois is not a undergraduate friendly school, like someone suggested, transferring to a more undergraduate friendly state school or private is a good option.

Being a freshman, never knew TAs got tuition waivers and pay on top of that. I always thought they pay full tuition but just get paid a flat salary for the classes they teach. Not sure why they are complaining so much, you would think free school is good enough. Getting pay and insurance on top of that is great no matter what it is in my opinion.When you need help, it's much easier to track down a TA than a Professor, and often they sympathize as a fellow student. Not all graduate students are going to school for free, and a lot get grants from bodies outside the university as well. Again, many large universities have tuition waivers. It's part of the contract they've had for a long time. As far as health insurance, keep in mind as a student you get it for almost nothing, so there's no reason to complain about it being subsidized for graduate students.