An open letter on the Russo-Ukrainian war
Ukrainians fight for their freedom, for the right to be Ukrainian, for the right to determine their own future. These aspirations are universal. They are just.
Without a union, MIT is failing GRAs and undergraduates alike
Trying to maintain adequate living conditions was exhausting, frustrating, and totally disruptive to my research, my studies, and my GRA responsibilities.
An open letter on the considerations to be made about MIT graduate student unionization
In our view, unionization would represent a fundamental change in the academic partnerships between faculty and graduate students and could put at risk the critically important relationship between graduate student mentee and faculty mentor, potentially jeopardizing the leadership roles that our students and faculty hold in advancing the future of science, technology, and scholarship.
Our successes together
Indeed, it is our deep interest in our students’ work and success that has led us to embrace roles in student support and academic life, rather than focusing solely on our teaching and research.
We are unionizing for quality and affordable housing
Several unlucky individuals have gotten stuck in elevators, some have dealt with peeling paint and murky water, and others still with broken heating. Complaints were filed but not addressed promptly. The front desk was short-staffed. And almost everyone agreed that the rent was too high.
Director of International Students Office responds to international students op-ed
If the UE becomes the sole representative of graduate students in the bargaining unit, we do not know how these matters will be handled in contract negotiations and what an article on international students might look like.
An open letter regarding faculty and the graduate student union
We pledge to not attempt to persuade graduate students how to vote on unionization and to avoid presenting one-sided views for or against unionization.
MIT Chancellor and Vice Chancellor provide important updates on graduate student unionization issues
Ultimately, we do not want to draw any unnecessary lines among MIT’s 7,000 graduate students. However, the unionization process requires us to do that in one way or another.
The case for labor unions
Those who organize to form labor unions are neither irrational nor impulsive. Those who organize to form labor unions are critical thinkers driven by necessity.
We are international students and we are voting yes on the GSU
Surely, MIT can take concrete steps to address these issues we face as international students. Unfortunately, many of their recent policies have done the opposite.
An open letter on the war in Ukraine
This is a catastrophe for Russia and for the Russian people: a dark night is descending, and those least responsible for this war will suffer the most.
MIT’s administration seeks to exclude over 1,000 graduate workers on fellowship from unionization vote
Decisions about whether to fund graduate workers by RA-ship, TA-ship, or fellowship are often made arbitrarily for reasons of administrative convenience, without any difference in work duties.
Response to “I’m voting yes for the Graduate Student Union because MIT continues to fail its student veterans”
The truth is that we have been collaborating with the MIT Student Veterans Association on matters our veteran students care about, specifically those issues covered in the op-ed.
An open letter regarding MIT Dining changes and enhancements
n spite of the necessary changes made to support MIT’s pandemic response, MIT Dining and culinary partner Bon Appétit continued to work on improving facilities and offerings throughout the last two years.
Free expression and academic freedom on campus are worth fighting for
Whatever your views are on DEI or MFE and whatever you think of Abbot’s public comments, this cancellation is a clear sign that academic freedom at MIT is in peril.
Imprudent, immoral, illegal
Refusal to divest is also a deliberate, direct stance upholding the status quo — and the climate status quo is grossly unjust.
I’m voting yes for the Graduate Student Union because MIT continues to fail its student veterans
The problem was left to fester for over two years, and in Fall 2021, reportedly at least 20 student veterans did not receive their VA benefits worth approximately $3 million in tuition, nor did we receive our $3,000 per month stipend.
On Love, Truth, and Justice at MIT
I Love MIT. Those are three words that I would usually never string together into a sentence.
Surveying MIT Asian/American students on campus mental health resources
In our survey, a large majority of respondents indicated the importance of having therapists that share their ethnic background (70%) and are culturally competent (86%). Respondents noted that cultural familiarity increases therapists’ empathy and understanding of sources of mental health issues.
Unionize for a grievance procedure that puts students first
I enjoyed my first nine months in my lab without incident — I got along with my PI and was nearing completion on a body of work that would result in a first-author publication. But one October evening, things changed. My PI sent an email accusing me of breaking equipment that I hadn’t touched in weeks. When I tried to defend myself, she called me “combative” and called my communication style “unprofessional.” She told me that I was a bad lab citizen, even though as lab safety officer I devoted hours every week to managing lab waste and keeping my labmates safe. My PI made several unreasonable demands in the following weeks, including that we work at least 60 hours per week and respond to Slack messages within one hour during the workday, a rule that completely disregards the fact that students have classes and experiments that prohibit swift responses at all times. When I tried to communicate my concerns, I was again accused of “giving pushback” and being disrespectful.