Originally published in Synapse on September 22, 1988.
Our colleges and universities have come under highly critical consideration of late from scholars, legislators, and university administrators themselves concerning the quality of education.
The University of California has joined this process with a commendable degree of self-criticism and openness to change. Yet, in the rush to issue reports and initiate reforms, UC has ignored the central component in the quality of education on UC campuses: the teaching and research performed by graduate students.
As teachers we provide the most significant portion of face to face contact, discussion and problem solving. As researchers we contribute to a process of discovery that is an integral part of the education effort. Yet these contributions have been repaid with inadequate compensation, arbitrary procedures, and a lack of opportunity to help shape our working conditions.
Like other workers, we are entitled to participation in serious negotiations over the terms and conditions of our employment and to choose through democratic means those who will represent us.
