Boston University Suspends Doctoral Program Admissions Following Graduate Worker Strike
Boston University (BU) has announced a suspension of applications for a dozen doctoral programs in the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences for the 2024 academic year. This decision follows a significant 206-day strike by the Boston University Graduate Workers Union (BUGWU), which concluded in October.
The affected programs include American and New England Studies, anthropology, classical studies, English, history, history of art and architecture, linguistics, philosophy, political science, religion, romance studies, and sociology. On average, these programs enroll approximately nine new students each year. BU has stated that the suspension was reached after “careful consideration” and is intended to be temporary, with plans to reopen admissions in future years.
The suspension comes at a time when the union was advocating for higher stipends for doctoral workers, who were earning between $27,000 and $40,000 annually. Following the strike, the final contract included a stipend increase to $45,000, plus a 3% raise over three years. However, deans stated that this has “budgetary implications,” emphasizing the need to balance commitments to current students and future admissions.
Critics, including SEIU Local 509, have expressed concerns regarding BU’s dedication to the humanities and social sciences, interpreting the suspension as a move that could limit opportunities in these fields. They argue that this decision contradicts the university’s commitment to these essential academic disciplines.
Moreover, BU’s recent task force found that fewer graduates from doctoral programs are securing tenured positions, which, combined with the rising costs of graduate education, has potentially contributed to this drastic decision. While other doctoral programs remain open for applications, the university has been criticized for not providing clearer explanations for these changes.
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