Filed under: GSI Resources
I teach two lab sections this week, both on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the other GSI does the same.
We talked about it together and with our professor, and decided that we would hold class. We’ve sent out a ctool announcement with some accomodations:
- we booked the room for an extra drop-in after the walkout.
- email submission of assignments so people don’t have to enter Dana.
- extra office hours to help explain the lab material after the walkout.
I hope that will also make it clear that we’re not expecting people to show up, and won’t sanction those who don’t.
I’ve taken some flack for the hypocrisy of holding class while otherwise supporting the action. Frankly I don’t mind. The idea of not teaching the class got explored and for a couple of reasons it isn’t in the cards. I’m thrilled that my other classes are getting formally or informally canceled, but in my own case I’d much rather do some things than nothing to support the work stoppage. I’m not inclined to make the perfect the enemy of the good.
So I’ll see you on the picket lines. And in class. Or in make-up sections.
What are other people doing?
Hugh
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Hi Hugh,
This is how I will approach the walk out in my PitE class. The professors agreed to be neutral and let me make this change.
If the walk out does take place, my PitE class discussion section schedule will be changed as follows for the week of March 23rd:
Monday, Discussion Section will be held at the regular time and place (3-4pm in Dana 1028). Students who regularly meet at this time are expected to attend.
Tuesday, Discussion Section is cancelled (students are encouraged to attend on Monday or Thursday).
Wednesday, Discussion Section is cancelled (students are encouraged to attend on Monday or Thursday).
Thursday, A Discussion Section “make-up” will be held from 2-3pm in Dana 1028.
*The outline for this week’s Discussion Section is attached to this email.
Office Hours Change: In the case of a walk out, I will not hold office hours during the regular time on Tuesday or Wednesday this week. I’m meeting with people by appointment.
Comment by Andrew Fotinos March 24, 2008 @ 12:31 pmI cancelled office hours and am maintaining “email silence” for 48 hours. I also decided to teach my lab section due primarily to safety issues and the fact that there is zero possibility of making up missed lab time. I also am encouraging conversation among my students regarding GEO issues.
Comment by Therese March 24, 2008 @ 2:37 pmI cancelled my sections but I held an extra office hour today and I answered questions on the Ctools blog for our class on sunday night for an hour and a half (they had an exam today). I sent a detailed email to my sections explaining my position and what I would be doing. Students seemed supportive.
Comment by Joel Heeres March 24, 2008 @ 6:12 pmI teach for ecology and evolution. Our professor right off the bat expressed her support of GEO and the walkout if it happened, and made known her intent to formally cancel all sections. Well, so the walk out has begun and none of us are holding sections this week….
Even though I haven’t personally had any controversy between my support of GEO and my teaching obligations, as some other have, I’m making it a point to let my students know what this is really all about. About GEO and the administration, about equal rights, equality, and a better contract we deserve, about the services we provide, not about the relationship between me, their GSI and them as students. I’m walking out tomorrow and Wednesday in support of my union but making myself available off campus to my students to point out that distinction.
Comment by Jesse Lewis March 24, 2008 @ 9:00 pm