I know Duke isn't going to change their position; I thought I'd just use the opportunity to hopefully make a few people laugh and think about debt. Hope it worked.
My first summer of law school at NYU I worked as a research assistant for one of the professors.
My monthly pay was less than what you were allowed to take out in loans to cover living expenses. The school was aware of their students' costs of living, and chose to pay them less.
I found other professors who needed help from time to time, but was unable to work for them because I couldn't get authorized for the extra hours (it would have triggered overtime pay).
While an undergrad at the University of Alabama, I worked as a teaching assistant for the philosophy program. The hourly pay was less than what the department wanted to give, but the school set the student pay limits. So, the department hired us for extra "office hours" that the class didn't really need.
Just goes to show how different schools (and individual professors) are when they go from working to give the students a valuable experience, to simply viewing them as an income stream that provides occasional annoyances.
Anon--Gold coins, eh? I appreciate the offer, but I'm trying to get through college my own. Thanks for the offer nonetheless!
Mike--ha, the book is far from a guarantee... And if it does happen, it's not going to be for a while still. But of course I'll autograph it!
Bl1y-- Well put. I should say that I really don't have any gripe with Duke... It's the "system" that's the problem. And the system is so big and complex, it's hard to blame the problem on just one thing. If I was Duke, I'd be worried about bad PR and law suits too. I'm sure Duke doesn't want its students to go into debt... But there are just so many factors that make tuition so high... And it's not a simple matter of "greed."
Man sometimes you write an article that captures my feelings better than I ever could. I'm trying to do my part a little bit by posting my blog on our university site: http://blogs.ewu.edu/admissions/2010/12/02/trying-to-afford-college/
At the end of the post I almost mentioned how I also talk about a guys blog I read who lives in a van at Duke and then link to your blog. I thought it might get me in trouble though.
Ken, You're a very honorable man not wanting to accept donations and paying for college on your own terms. I enjoy reading your articles and I look forward to reading your first book...
Seth--you should! don't let a big old university stop you from saying what you want to say. I actually wouldn't worry about people emulating me--no one at Duke has adopted a similar lifestyle. But extreme examples can make one think about other ares in one's life where they might cut back. Good read, though!
I love the term "vandwelling" - you may end up starting a nationwide following of vandwellers. When I was a kid, my dad had a seriously pimped-out van and I had a t-shirt with a van on that read, "Do it in a van." In my naivety (I was probably only 10 years old at the time), I thought that it meant that one could do anything in a van.
A few years ago, I worked for a landscape design company that specialized in on-site landscape design, working out of a "state of the art" (according to the website) mobile office (van). It was a fun gig, working out of a van, but a real drag in the wintertime. We used to call "van-scaping." Anyway - I admire your courage and drive - and the van is pretty cool as well. Hope you can continue your experiment as long as you desire.
Ken--thanks man! There already is a huge vandwelling subculture. Check out the Yahoo Vandwellers Group--6,700 members last time I checked. Love the tee shirt--I bet those would sell well.
12 comments:
Well said ...
Mike-- my one faithful reader! ;) thanks.
I know Duke isn't going to change their position; I thought I'd just use the opportunity to hopefully make a few people laugh and think about debt. Hope it worked.
You should publish an address and ask for silver or gold coins as donations as well. I'd consider sending you one.
Ha ha, I think there are a few more than me. Patiently waiting to buy the book. (A signed copy perhaps)
Finish strong in the new lot!
Very well written.
My first summer of law school at NYU I worked as a research assistant for one of the professors.
My monthly pay was less than what you were allowed to take out in loans to cover living expenses. The school was aware of their students' costs of living, and chose to pay them less.
I found other professors who needed help from time to time, but was unable to work for them because I couldn't get authorized for the extra hours (it would have triggered overtime pay).
While an undergrad at the University of Alabama, I worked as a teaching assistant for the philosophy program. The hourly pay was less than what the department wanted to give, but the school set the student pay limits. So, the department hired us for extra "office hours" that the class didn't really need.
Just goes to show how different schools (and individual professors) are when they go from working to give the students a valuable experience, to simply viewing them as an income stream that provides occasional annoyances.
Anon--Gold coins, eh? I appreciate the offer, but I'm trying to get through college my own. Thanks for the offer nonetheless!
Mike--ha, the book is far from a guarantee... And if it does happen, it's not going to be for a while still. But of course I'll autograph it!
Bl1y-- Well put. I should say that I really don't have any gripe with Duke... It's the "system" that's the problem. And the system is so big and complex, it's hard to blame the problem on just one thing. If I was Duke, I'd be worried about bad PR and law suits too. I'm sure Duke doesn't want its students to go into debt... But there are just so many factors that make tuition so high... And it's not a simple matter of "greed."
As usual, a delightful tome. Always an insightful read. The spring will come soon enough.
Heb
Man sometimes you write an article that captures my feelings better than I ever could. I'm trying to do my part a little bit by posting my blog on our university site: http://blogs.ewu.edu/admissions/2010/12/02/trying-to-afford-college/
At the end of the post I almost mentioned how I also talk about a guys blog I read who lives in a van at Duke and then link to your blog. I thought it might get me in trouble though.
Ken, You're a very honorable man not wanting to accept donations and paying for college on your own terms. I enjoy reading your articles and I look forward to reading your first book...
Heb--thanks, as always
Seth--you should! don't let a big old university stop you from saying what you want to say. I actually wouldn't worry about people emulating me--no one at Duke has adopted a similar lifestyle. But extreme examples can make one think about other ares in one's life where they might cut back. Good read, though!
Elizabeth--too kind! thanks!
I love the term "vandwelling" - you may end up starting a nationwide following of vandwellers. When I was a kid, my dad had a seriously pimped-out van and I had a t-shirt with a van on that read, "Do it in a van." In my naivety (I was probably only 10 years old at the time), I thought that it meant that one could do anything in a van.
A few years ago, I worked for a landscape design company that specialized in on-site landscape design, working out of a "state of the art" (according to the website) mobile office (van). It was a fun gig, working out of a van, but a real drag in the wintertime. We used to call "van-scaping."
Anyway - I admire your courage and drive - and the van is pretty cool as well. Hope you can continue your experiment as long as you desire.
Ken Householder
Ken--thanks man! There already is a huge vandwelling subculture. Check out the Yahoo Vandwellers Group--6,700 members last time I checked. Love the tee shirt--I bet those would sell well.
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