Linguistics Graduate Course Union (LGCU)
Department of Linguistics, University of Toronto

Phone in Computer Room

There have been some complaints about frequent personal calls to the graduate phone line in the computer room. While the phone is invaluable for getting a hold of someone in the department after hours (e.g. if you've accidentally lost something or don't know a professor's phone number, etc.), many people have expressed annoyance at having to go look for people and take messages while they're trying to work in the back room.

• Should we move the first phone from beside the desks to the lounge?
• Should we change the message on the answering service to reflect how infrequently it is checked?
• Should we have to answer the phone when it rings?
• Should we ask that people refrain from giving out the number?

Don't Work for Free

Some students are concerned that TAs are working additional hours without pay. This can lead to a decreased number of hours alloted for a given course and can cause instructors to begin expecting extra unpaid work. Keep track of your hours and notify your instructor if you're about to run out. Your instructor can request additional hours from the department or assign the work to someone with enough hours.