--- Forwarded Message from [log in to unmask] ---

>From: [log in to unmask]
>To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum    <[log in to unmask]>
>Date: Wed, 21 Jul 1999 11:55:51 -0400
>Subject: Re: #5106 Alms...

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Ed:

AU' s LRC and computer labs use 5 comparable levels of pay/responsibility
(grades if you will) for student staff .  The levels start at $6.50 /hr for
a trainee, and progress by promotion increments of $7.25, $8.00, $8.50  to
$9.00/hr. ($6.50 is minimum wage in DC)

Returning student staff also get  an annual merit increase at the same
(average) percent as permanent full-time staff ge so good performing staff
get pay increases, even if they do not want to assume more
responsibilities.  It's not uncommon for "Sr." student staff to make in
excess of $10.00/hr.

Bill Caldwell
AU, Wash.DC




LLTI-Editor <[log in to unmask]> on 07/21/99 08:36:44 AM

Please respond to Language Learning and Technology International
      Information Forum <[log in to unmask]>

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cc:    (bcc: William Caldwell/wcaldwel/Staff/LFS/CAS/AmericanU)
Subject:  #5106 Alms...




--- Forwarded Message from Ed Dente <[log in to unmask]> ---

>Date: Fri, 16 Jul 1999 10:41:09 -0400 (EDT)
>From: Ed Dente <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Alms...
>In-reply-to: <[log in to unmask]>
>To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum
<[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-to: Ed Dente <[log in to unmask]>

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The small group of mendicants, dressed in the only rags their meager
incomes allowed, hollow-eyed and gaunt with lack of food, faces downcast,
but emboldened by their dire circumstances huddled around me, weakly
chanting, "Sir, can you spare alms for the needy? Please help us..."

I was backed into the corner of my office by the group. I did the only
thing I could think of, answering them softly,
 "I'm sorry, but that's all my budget will allow me to pay all you
student assistants. There's nothing I can do. Believe me, this is the
prevailing wage for student assistants. I'll get in trouble w/ my
colleagues in IALL if I try to raise your pay any higher."

"But how will we survive on your measly wages of $6.00 per hour to start
and going up only to $6.60 after three semesters?" they weakly asked.
"We really believe that other labs pay their students much, much more than
that."

"But", I replied, "your fellow student assistant, the student supervisor,
gets $8.00 per hour".

"She should get $16.00 an hour for trying to put together each semester's
schedule for 20 assistants", they shouted, even more emboldened. "Tell us
right now what other labs pay their assistants so that we can really know
where we stand OR WE'RE WALKING!" (I think they meant to the dining hall
kitchen dishwashing detail, where they can make a heck of a lot more than
from me.)
Encouraged by the strength of their argument, they shouted in unison,
"SHOW US THE MONEY!"

Hmmm. Embarrassed as I am to admit that this is what I pay our
student assistants, ($6.00 to start, $6.60 tops)I would like to know how
close to the bottom this is in comparison with other labs whose directors
are more humanitarian than I. So, if it isn't asking too much of my
colleagues, what is the "prevailing wage" for student assistants? I
promise to compile the responses. That is, if I can fight my way out of
the corner of my office.
Cheers,
Ed "Scrooge" Dente

       "Vendetta ti chiedo,
        La chiede, il tuo cor..."
                  -Donna Anna  <Don Giovanni>

  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Edmund N. Dente
Director, Language Media Center
Tufts University
Medford, MA 02155
Ph: 617-627-3036
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