Politics of Empathy

I have friends who are considering leaving graduate school. I have friends who would have to leave the country if they withdraw from classes.

COLA matters to me because I currently have to work an additional job off campus, which takes me away from my coursework, research, and grading responsibilities. Even so, I had to borrow money from my mother to make rent once so far this school year. My mother is a retired public school teacher on a fixed income. But beyond even that, COLA matters to me because I have friends in much more precarious positions than I am. I have friends who support family dependants, who have sick children, who are homeless. I have friends who are considering leaving graduate school. I have friends who would have to leave the country if they withdraw from classes. My politics are rooted in empathy, and while I could make a version of a life that is functionally feasible, that’s just me. There are people much worse off than me who deserve a better quality of life.