--- Forwarded Message from Leslie Graul <[log in to unmask]> ---

>Date: Tue, 28 Sep 1999 09:45:35 -0400
>From: Leslie Graul <[log in to unmask]>
>To: Language Learning and Technology International Information Forum                         <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Re: #5106 Alms...
>References: <[log in to unmask]>

------------------
Though this is quite late in coming, I thought you'd be amused to note that our assistants got a big
"increase" (from $4.38/hr to $5.15).  This was not due to the fact that they really do need to work
when on-the-job as compared to many others who may study.  Nor was it due to the fact that they need to
show up, and to be on time, as compared to some campus positions where no one checks.  Although I was
trying to get an increase due to the higher level of skill and knowledge required to handle our
operations,  I was only able to get the increase by getting the positions listed as "hard-to-fill".
(Our staff now join those in the cafeteria and maintenance in this category)  We needn't feel any
guilt, however, that we are costing the institution more money.  Their hours have been limited to
prevent them from earning more money.  Our center now has twenty-eight fewer staff hours of support per
week!.
    Cheers!     Leslie Graul

LLTI-Editor wrote:

> --- 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]>
>
> ------------------
> 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
> [log in to unmask]