Michigan Student Assembly members have passed a resolution calling for the elimination of teaching restrictions for graduate student instructors.
Currently, GSIs who teach courses in LSA departments are restricted from teaching for more than 10 terms, or five years, because of a limit set in 1987.
MSA members unanimously passed a resolution proposed by Student General Counsel Dan Serota at last week's meeting that urges LSA administrators to remove the 10-term limit.
Supporters of the resolution stressed that the average graduate student takes 7 1/2 years to receive a Ph.D. and criticized the limit because of the financial burden it may place on GSIs who are finishing their studies.
"I hope that MSA can really work with the University on getting rid of this requirement," MSA President Fiona Rose said.
LSA Associate Dean for Budget and Administration John Cross said the 10-term limit emerged from issues recognized by the Task Force on Graduate Financial Aid. Cross said there have been no internal attempts to change the rule.
The rule also prohibits graduate students from receiving other forms of funding from LSA after their 10th term or fifth year.
"(LSA administrators) want departments, as well as individuals, to seek outside funding (for expenses)," said Graduate Employees' Organization President Michelle Mueller.
Mueller said she recognizes the belief that GSIs have gained valuable experience after a few years of teaching, but said that many GSIs need the financial support it provides and enjoy teaching.
Outside funding is very difficult to get, so many graduate students have to drop out of school, Mueller said. She also said many classes are actually being cancelled because not enough GSIs are available to teach all of the sections.
Expectations about the impact of the MSA resolution are mixed.
"I think the MSA resolution will have some sort of effect, just not an immediate effect," Rackham Rep. John Lopez said.
As co-president of Rackham Student Government, Lopez said RSG is "absolutely, 100 percent," behind the MSA resolution.
Along with the resolution, MSA members supported a proposal to add a question on the MSA winter election ballot asking students whether the 10-term rule should be removed.
"It will sort of set the direction MSA should take," Serota said. "I think most students will vote in favor of ending the 10-term limit."
LSA Rep. Barry Rosenberg said the 10-term rule affects the quality of undergraduate education at the University.
"I think that the University must be committed to ensuring the highest quality of undergraduate education that it can and part of that commitment stems directly from training and funding our (GSIs)," Rosenberg said.
Cross said the 10-term limit does not jeopardize the quality of GSI training.