EDITORIAL: "Put It In Writing"

At the same time they are students, taking classes, studying, doing research, and working on their dissertations. Their work for professors must allow time for their work in pursuit of a degree. The new compact should do an excellent job of clarifying the specifics of graduate student employment, should a professor and student disagree at a later date. It will detail how much a T.A. is to be paid, what tasks a research assistant is to perform, how much credit a student will share with a professor on a forthcoming publication, and what a professor can expect. But the compact could also heighten awareness of the graduate student as a professional assistant, rather than a personal aide. "Taking professor's clothes to dry cleaners" will hopefully not appear in the section listing a student's responsibilities. Neither will "Discuss intimate details of personal life with supervisor" or "Socialize with advisor during off hours." We hope as many departments as possible -- and as many schools as possible -- will quickly sign on to the compact idea. Soon, this simple one-page form may guarantee that professors get what they expect, and students get what they deserve.

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