Higher Ed. Notes

TAs prepared to strike if union not recognized

University of Washington teaching assistants voted last week to strike if the administration does not acknowledge their union.

The four-day vote included 1,100 graduate teaching assistants and resulted in an 86 percent majority win.

Since 1998, the Graduate Student Employment Action Coalition and the United Auto Workers have argued that having a graduate teaching assistant union will help to improve wages, working conditions, employee benefits and job security.

This goal is supported by more than 80 percent of the university's graduate students.

In spite of the clear majority, Washington administrators refused to recognize the GSEAC/UAW.

Currently, union members have not determined the measures of the strike, but say members of each department will be meeting to figure out the logistics.

Washington President Dick McCormick issued a letter to the student body stating his disapproval of graduate students belonging to a union for he believes it to be disruptive to a good learning environment.

Melissa Meade, spokeswoman for GSEAC/UAW at the University, said that the union hopes the vote will make their potential actions clear, and hopes the university administration will respond.

Ohio U. students request detailed course Websites

Ohio University students want more information about the courses they may take next term.

The school held a roundtable discussion last week to determine student interest in courses.

The discussion was between the Ohio University Student Senate, and university deans.

Many students indicated they wanted course Websites, complete with previous course syllabi to prepare themselves for the courseload.

Additionally, students wanted professor evaluations listed online.

Other concerns included including the implementation of a women studies concentration and the availability of courses.

UCLA holds Rabin memorial service

The University of California at Los Angeles Hillel and Bruin Friends of Israel co-sponsored a memorial service for former Israeli Prime Minister Itzhak Rabin last weekend despite opposition from Arabic groups.

Rabin was assassinated on Nov. 4, 1995 at a peace rally in Tel Aviv, Israel.

Israel Chair of UCLA Hillel Shani Yacoby said it is important to commemorate Rabin's dream of peace in Israel.

But those in opposition made their views heard.

One member of the audience went tore up an Israeli flag at the memorial.

Jewish students at the memorial did not acknowledge the protesters.

Northwestern U. janitors demand improved wages

The janitors at Northwestern make about $7 per hour, where the other Chicago-area janitors are making between $10 and $13 dollars and includes full family health insurance.

- Compiled by Daily Staff Reporter Jodie Kaufman from U-WIRE reports.