An astrophysics professor at UCLA who said his low salary has left him homeless has been forcibly put on paid leave.
Dr. Daniel McKeown took to social media last week to blast the university for his $70,000 salary, which he says is far below market value. He said he had to move out of his one-bedroom apartment and was teaching his classes online while living with a friend in San Diego.
After the video went viral, McKeown told KNX News’ Karen Adams that UCLA gave him three options: he could take a leave of absence, be assigned to other work, or go back to teaching in person despite living more than 100 miles away.
Before he could respond to the ultimatum, KcKeown said the university decided for him and took his classes away.
“The leadership at UCLA, especially in the physics department, has to completely change,” he said. “We have to start paying our lecturers a living wage for Los Angeles area so that they don't have to take on extra classes and extra roles at community colleges and be forced into these horrible situations.”
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McKeown said he wants Gov. Gavin Newsom to step in and look into the pay issues at UCLA.
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