Ideally, students could receive a doctorate from the University after five years of course work. However, reality dictates that many students fail to meet requirements in five years. As a result, students without fellowships or research assistantships face large tuition bills. Budget-strapped students may have to overload themselves with difficult class work or drop out - impeding the University's commitment to education.
In 1988, LSA adopted the "10-term rule" to prevent graduate students from using teaching positions as a means of permanent employment. The rule calls for graduate program reorganization to make five-year graduation feasible.
LSA should not mandate that graduate programs adjust their curriculum to accommodate the policy - the policy's call for students to complete graduation requirements is unreasonable. With a large portion of graduate students taking more than the recommended five years to obtain their degree, it is obvious that students aren't the problem. Rackham should act of its own accord and reorganize its graduate programs to ensure the likelihood of timely graduation for every student - and prevent people from needing to take an extra year, or three.
LSA's policy also threatens the quality of undergraduate education. Experience is an important trait in a teacher - GSIs with several years of classroom leadership serve as better teachers for difficult classes. By preventing them from teaching during the height of their ability, LSA is taking a direct swipe at its own potential for quality. Undergraduates deserve the teaching ability and knowledge of experienced GSIs to improve their education.
Tonight, the Michigan Student Assembly will vote on a resolution to lobby against the policy and put a referendum question on the MSA election ballot to gauge students' feelings. MSA should do everything in its power to protect student interest in the classroom.
The LSA administration has failed to put students' concerns ahead of its own policy. While graduate program changes are necessary, the schools themselves should make the changes - LSA makes the situation worse by imposing its own time limit. The policy should be withdrawn to allow qualified, intelligent students to receive the degree and assistance they deserve.