> > However, where do students get the idea that they are owed a living for being a > student? You don't get paid for the courses you take. You don't get paid for > the time you put in on a thesis. I also wouldnt have to pick up and possibly move across the country to do my thesis. I wouldnt have to give up the job I have at the museum where I go to school. And I would at least be paying for credits that the university was actually giving me something for i.e. facilities, advisors, etc. > internship? Most interns I've seen work less than 40 hours per week, and they > could easily have a part-time job just like when taking classes. Perhaps the problem here is that we all have a very different concept of an internship. I think there are those out there who are thinking of something you do a couple hours a day for a month or two, which i can see nob being a big deal. But the kind of internship I think most of us are referring to, and looking for, and seeing advertised is the kind that is full time for 6 or more months. > > Students are getting an education. They are being given a service. Yes, but in the case of an internship, we are also providint a service. You make it sound as if museums taken in interns entirely out of the goodness of their hearts without any benefits to themselves. We have seen many stories on this list of invaluable interns who I'm sure provided services that were worth at least as much as the educaation they received in trade. > Why should they be given a wage for that privilege? Because, being the spoiled, ungrateful college children that we are, we have gotten used to some of the small niceties of life, like food, clothing and shelter. Yes, fellowships, grants, and other > aid are important to help those from poor families get out of that cycle. Once again, I think you've missed the point. We aren't talking about students from poor families. We are talking about every day average students. Those of us who are working on our second degree. Or having siblings in college, or whose parents just didnt save up enough for our college educations. Those of us whose parents, for whatever reason, can no longer help us out as much as they used to. I think you'd find thats a rather large section of the graduate student population. No, you dont owe us a living. You dont owe us anything. But considering that we are the generation being trained to step into your places as you move on, I'd expect to see a little more consideration. We arent asking for the world, we arent asking to be paid to go to college. We are asking to receive enough money to live off in return for the services we give. And, personally I dont think thats too much to ask. Vanda Bushfield average Grad Student Texas Tech University