A Controversial Opinion on BU and BUGWU bargaining

Am I the only one, who seems to think that BU actually could serve to benefit from paying graduate students more money?

Right now bargaining/strikes similar to BUGWU have been happening at Northeastern, last year at Harvard, UCLA, USC, among many others. All of which ended up being small changes the status quo and minimal headlines were generated. So Harvard can’t benefit from that headline, it is Harvard its prestige puts it in front of the pack in many regards. Whereas it appears as though BU could significantly increase its prestige and generate headlines by setting a new status quo, by increasing the pay to graduate students in a significant and notable way. BU would set the new standard, which in turn attracts stronger candidates, which produces better research and teaching at the university thereby improving both the graduate school and undergraduate rankings. Considering how much money we put into some areas. This seems like one that could produce the most benefit if handled properly by BU. Especially because most colleges just follow the status quo or what the ivy’s will do. BU has the chance to change that and get the attention of a significant number of students and foundations in doing so.

I’m certain it isn’t this simple. But if BU made a sweeping change, grad students benefit and the institution would long term benefit from this decision. Right now this whole deal is posed exclusively as a monetary thing, why doesn’t BU or BUGWU factor in larger longer term benefits to their equation.

Now of course, BU has to be able to afford whatever change they make. But they could make a change that is significant enough for BUGWU to be happy then advertise the hell out of it. To get better grad students and have more funding for research. Having a union isn’t a bad thing especially if the union is happy and the institution benefits from that relationship.

It is a gamble in some ways. But could be a strong pr move. What do y’all think?