Speaks Out
By Daily Bruin Staff
April 14, 2002 9:00 p.m.
Yijun Cui Graduate student Neurobiology
“I think money is the biggest (problem) for students. I have
friends who work as TAs in other departments, and they get very
little money. My department is all right because it is well-funded,
but in many other departments, there isn’t as much money and
TAs are very underpaid.” Seung Pyo Graduate
student Materials science and engineering “The biggest
problem is the non-resident student fee. If I were a resident of
California, there wouldn’t be a problem, because student fees
are cheap. But in my case, I’m not a citizen and (tuition) is
more than $5,000 a quarter. Even if I work as a TA, I still
can’t get in-state tuition. I want to get rid of the
out-of-state tuition fees because the money problem is so big
““ how can I even begin to think about the other
things?” Jay Smallwood Graduate student
Chemistry “Most graduate students are not from the area, and
it’s hard to meet new people, so it’s good to have
social outlets available. I’d support an increase in student
fees to improve social programs, because currently, a lot of
departments don’t provide that.” Emily
Jarvis Graduate student Chemistry “There is a big
discrepancy between North and South Campus. I think GSA needs to
foster a greater sense of community between the North and South
Campus in general, because all the departments are isolated ““
even more so for the medical school. Grad Bar is a good idea, but
GSA should make more of an effort to build a student
community.” Benjamin Redelings Graduate
student Biomathematics “I want GSA to keep BruinGo! active. I
use BruinGo! to commute to school right now because I don’t
live near campus. But if GSA could also improve graduate student
housing, then that would also be a benefit.” Paul
Tang Graduate student Materials science and engineering
“I think Grad Bar is important because it would facilitate
interaction between departments. People tend to be very isolated in
their graduate careers, but it’s important for different grad
students to meet up and exchange ideas with each other. Most
students are very isolated and don’t associate with each
other ““ even within the same department. “ Speaks Out
compiled by Edward Chiao, Daily Bruin Senior Staff. Photos by Tyson
Evans, Daily Bruin Contributor.
