As a graduate student, the dream of being financially solvent seems a distant one. Most grad students live below the poverty line. Yet, once again, UF is attempting to raise student fees — this time to pay for the renovation and expansion of Reitz Union. And these fees will affect graduate students differently; we actually have to pay for our fees (unlike undergrads who receive Bright Futures and/or prepaid).
Now, I’m not one to complain about fees. I get paid to do research and teach, and this is a pretty sweet gig. I’m not a member of Graduate Assistants United. Hell, I’ve even argued for the necessity of fees. But, we already had a $100 increase this year (and likely an additional 5 percent next year). I know many academic departments have been “trimmed” to meet the budget crisis, but perhaps the university could find a better way to pay for these costs. Do we really need a renovated Reitz Union — especially given said budget crisis? If the answer is yes, well, so be it. But could we at least get a proposed grad student bar out of the deal?
