SERVING THE ON-LINE RPI COMMUNITY SINCE 1994
SEARCH ARCHIVES
Current Issue: Volume 130, Number 1 July 14, 2009
Ed/Op


Staff Editorial
Current teaching assistant shortage needs solution

Posted 02-23-2005 at 7:59PM

Each year, 550 Teaching Assistant positions are given out to the five schools, which in turn distribute them to their departments. This year, both the math and aeronautical engineering departments are complaining of TA shortages. The administration admits that there may be a problem, but so far as has not proposed a plan to fix or examine it. Before more issues arise, the administration needs to create such a plan by opening communication with schools and departments.

The math department says it has a shortage of TAs at the same time that the administration presents data showing that the total number of math TAs has increased in the past three years. Some professors in this department have eliminated quizzes and homework because they do not have as many TAs as previous semesters, seeming to suggest that there is indeed a shortage, and they are blaming the graduate tuition policy for this shortage. Formerly the math department hired graduate students from other departments to help teach classes, but believes it cannot anymore. The administration contends, though, that departments are still allowed to hire graduate students from other departments. With these misunderstandings, it would be beneficial for both groups to meet, and find the root cause of the problems.

According to Provost G.P. “Bud” Peterson, the administration has no plans to change the total number of TAs available to the campus, saying that this would not solve the main problem. Until the root cause can be determined, however, all avenues should be considered. Adding a few more TAs to counteract the problem professors have could serve as a temporary fix. Avoiding the issues at hand, and bickering over causes does a great disservice to the students and faculty who are already being negatively affected. In the past few months, communication has arisen again and again as a source of concern among faculty members, and this is yet another area where a little talking could go a long way.



Posted 02-23-2005 at 7:59PM
Copyright 2000-2006 The Polytechnic
Comments, questions? E-mail the Webmaster. Site design by Jason Golieb.