http://www.hughstephens.me/2011/12/open-letter-academics-universities/
Saw this posted on Twitter. Some food for thought to carry into the New Year!
======= Date Modified 29 Dec 2011 12:47:33 =======
============= Edited by a Moderator =============
Removed by admin - SPAM
Maybe our lad here was taught by too many sessional staff on temporary low paid contracts who were rushing from job to job and probably rather depressed and desperately in need of a bit of support themselves. The system needs changing, that's for sure; but I really do get the impression that a lot of students think all academic staff just swan about dreaming of their 6 weeks holidays in Tuscany and their fat early pension. when in reality, many of those on the ground live on poverty level pay, dreadful job insecurity and an immense work load - not to mention the stress of dealing with ever more obnoxious and rude first year undergraduates who demand their money's worth...
I started a lecturing post this year and I am exhausted by the amount of teaching I have to do and that's 'official' hours - all those students who insist on coming to see me out of those hours is in the 100s - So far I've been very open and accomodating, but I can see its not sustainable - I've had no time to do my own research because of trying to support students. I've ended up working 12 hour days 7 days a week. I can't keep this up, and as I'm held accountable for the REF, the research needs to take priority.
THe problem with the fee increase is that students assume lecturers get more money, when they're just getting the same! but for more work as we are held accountable for student experience/satisfaction and employability. I've had 1 day off this holiday :-(
Tricky one. I'd have been livid had I been paying tuition fees for my 'supervision' and I can see that many academics are overworked but my supervisor, in my opinion, is very anxious to be promoted (work is the only thing in their life and I sense they're a lonely person but could be wrong) and volunteers for absolutely everything, far too much on their plate and I, for one, suffered for it. The PhD for me was not a good learning experience and I didn't feel at all inspired by my supervisor. I'd have put a complaint in had I been paying fees. They just didn't do their job, in my opinion.
PostgraduateForum Is a trading name of FindAUniversity Ltd
FindAUniversity Ltd, 77 Sidney St, Sheffield, S1 4RG, UK. Tel +44 (0) 114 268 4940 Fax: +44 (0) 114 268 5766
An active and supportive community.
Support and advice from your peers.
Your postgraduate questions answered.
Use your experience to help others.
Enter your email address below to get started with your forum account
Enter your username below to login to your account
An email has been sent to your email account along with instructions on how to reset your password. If you do not recieve your email, or have any futher problems accessing your account, then please contact our customer support.
or continue as guest
To ensure all features on our website work properly, your computer, tablet or mobile needs to accept cookies. Our cookies don’t store your personal information, but provide us with anonymous information about use of the website and help us recognise you so we can offer you services more relevant to you. For more information please read our privacy policy
Agree Agree