Category Archives: Malcolm MacDuff (he knows his stuff)

Malcolm is our new advice columnist and will be answering your questions throughout the year. He can be contacted at geu@geuatmsu.org. Malcolm has years of experience working with unions around the world and knows the GEU’s contract better than anyone. Check back regularly to see Malcolm address your queries.

Corn Puddin’!!

Posted on May 10, 2011 by GEU

May 6 2011 Dear Malcolm, I notice you haven’t had a column for a while—does this mean grad students are being treated so well by the University that there are no more problems and you will be able to move … Continue reading →

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Malcolm MacDuff (He Knows His Stuff)

Posted on March 17, 2011 by GEU

Those Lazy-Hazy-Crazy Days Of Summer (2 letters) March 17 2011 Dear Malcolm, Happy St. Patrick’s Day!  I hope you get a chance to enjoy some Guinness today and celebrate your Irish heritage.  I was wondering if you could tell me … Continue reading →

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Malcolm MacDuff (He Knows His Stuff)

Posted on February 22, 2011 by GEU

Right to Work is Wrong for Michigan February 21 2011 Dear Malcolm, I am a second year MA student who is applying to join a Ph.D. program here at MSU.  I am watching with interest the situation in Wisconsin right … Continue reading →

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Malcolm MacDuff (He Knows His Stuff)

Posted on November 22, 2010 by GEU

Shaping the future…. November 22, 2010 Dear Malcolm, Long time reader, first time writer here—love the column! I need your advice Malcolm…I don’t know what I am doing next year!  I am a first year TA in the College of … Continue reading →

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Malcolm MacDuff (He Knows His Stuff)

Posted on October 22, 2010 by GEU

A TA by any other name…. October 23, 2010 Dear Malcolm, I really enjoyed your first advice column last month – the GEU is lucky to have you on board! Can you help me understand something that is puzzling me … Continue reading →

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Malcolm MacDuff (He Knows His Stuff)

Posted on September 30, 2010 by GEU

Our resident advice columnist answers your queries

Malcolm is our new advice columnist and will be answering your questions throughout the year. He can be contacted at geu@geuatmsu.org. Malcolm has years of experience working with unions around the world and knows the GEU’s contract better than anyone. Check back regularly to see Malcolm address your queries.

Levels Crossing?

September 25, 2010

Dear Malcolm,

Firstly, congratulations on being appointed advice columnist for the GEU it’s good to have someone on board who knows his stuff—I hope you can be as informative as Sam always was; that guy really did care!

I have a question about my pay. I am a second year graduate student here at MSU and came in with a masters degree from my previous university. I taught last fall and last spring so was hoping to move up to be a level 2 teaching assistant this year. However my basic pay appears only to have gone up 2.5% which I believe is the amount the GEU negotiated in the last contract. How do I know if I am being paid as a level 2 TA, what do I need to do to qualify to be a level 2 TA, who can answer these questions for me???

Yours confusedly

Underpaid in Spartan Village

Dear Underpaid,

Thank you for your kind words. Sam truly did care and it is an honor to be taking over from him as the GEU’s advice columnist.

With regards to your question it reminds me of a similar problem I dealt with when I worked as a Musk Ox farmer in present day Nunavut—but that’s a different story!

I have some excellent news for you! Continue reading →

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