Living Wage for University of California Teacher Assistants

 

Riverside, CA

11/27/22-12/7/22

Spent time mommy/daughter time with Corinne at Riverside where she attends UC Riverside as a grad student. Corinne is a student researcher and teacher assistant. Corinne takes classes and teaches/leads three discussion sections. Proud to say that I think Corinne is and will make an excellent teacher. She prepares her content well Corinne and her peers are on strike. 

They have a bargaining webpage with updates and summary. 

• Corinne earns $26,000/year in her position as a teaching assistant. 
• Her rent is $ 1,300/month x 12 = $15,600
• She pays utilities. 
• Victor and I support with wifi, groceries and gas. 

If Corinne were absolutely on her own, like many of the grad students are, she wouldn't be able to make it. She is not earning a living wage at the moment and that's part of what the strike is for. In addition, the chancellors earn six figures and have received salary increases. The grad students have received a decrease in salary. 

Corinne with Missy who was Corinne's peer mentor. Missy is getting her doctorate in psychology. In addition to teaching at UCR, she also teaches at a community college. 

She is able to "live" because she is working two jobs. 

Me and UCR's mascot- Highlander Bear, Scotty

It gets pretty cold at night here. 

Got some boneless chicken thighs at Costco and cut and marinated to help with the meal prep process. 

Corinne was super grateful for this! I preparing my heart and mind to return to work in the fall, I think I should do more meal prep as well so that I can make dinner quick and easy!

Watched some Golden State Warriors as a break from all the work that we had.