[Poscgrad] Grad Student Coordination Around the Funding Issue

[Thomas Kegler]

Hi All,

On Friday, it was announced to about a third of the department (15 out of
46) students that they would not be provided TAships next quarter and thus
not be funded unless they find outside funding. These cuts affect students
admitted as recently as the rising 4th year cohort. Everyone should be
aware of this as it is a drastic shift in the norms of the department and
security of funding into the coming years.

For those who were affected, I have spent the greater part of today trying
to find employment in any department even slightly related to the
humanities/social sciences. There are exceptionally few, if any, roles
available. I hope some of you have been able to find alternate funding in
the past couple days, but I am quickly realizing that securing jobs for
next year is going to be quite difficult (other departments are also facing
the same issues) and thus this may be a significantly larger labor issue.

Additionally, I've reached out to colleagues at UCSD and UCSC who are both
reporting very similar cuts to TAships in the coming year. I am unsure if
this is a completely university-wide issue or an issue within a few
campuses, but that is also something to be aware of and it would be useful
to know if anyone has heard anything from other UCs.

This is an issue that should be front and center in the department as it is
about the capacity for our colleagues to continue being alive. I am
creating a whatsapp group to coordinate action and grievances and also to
help share funding opportunities into the next year as they arise
(hopefully we can collectively get as many people funded as possible).
Please send me your phone number if you would like to be added to the group.

Looking forward to hearing about how others are doing in this trying time.

Best,
Tommy Kegler
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