Dr. McKeown, a physics lecturer at UCLA and Missouri native, is facing an unexpected crisis after moving to California for his teaching career. Despite securing a position at the prestigious university, the high cost of living in Los Angeles, coupled with low wages, has left him homeless.
After just one year at UCLA, McKeown’s financial situation took a sharp downturn. Struggling to afford the $2,500 monthly rent for his Westwood apartment—a price already lower than the area’s average—he was eventually forced to move out. The cost of living in Los Angeles, particularly near UCLA, proved too high for McKeown’s lecturer salary. “Technically, I am homeless. I do not have a place of my own. I’m not on any lease,” McKeown explained, noting that the California housing market feels like “another country” due to its extreme costs.
McKeown took his concerns to UCLA’s administration, requesting a pay raise to reflect the realities of living in Los Angeles. However, his request was denied, leaving him to navigate the challenges of being a lecturer without adequate income to afford stable housing. According to Zip Recruiter the average salary for a UCLA professor is $80,057 per year.
McKeown, who teaches six classes a year, pointed out that the wages for UCLA lecturers are far below what many full-time professors in California earn. Despite the financial struggles, McKeown remains committed to his students, teaching them remotely while staying with a friend.
Students have voiced their support for McKeown, praising his dedication and flexibility. On social media, many expressed outrage over the situation, highlighting the stark contrast between rising tuition costs and the insufficient pay for educators like McKeown.
This isn’t an isolated issue. UCLA has been criticized for its housing policies, which guarantee accommodations for students but leave faculty members to fend for themselves. The Los Angeles Homeless Initiative estimates a shortage of nearly 500,000 affordable homes in the county, making it difficult for even employed professionals like McKeown to find secure housing.
McKeown, who holds a Ph.D. in astrophysics, is determined to continue teaching despite his circumstances. The published pay scale from the Office of Academic Personnel Programs shows that his pay is on par with an entry level position.
McKeown’s situation has brought renewed attention to the broader issue of academic pay in high-cost areas like Westwood. His case comes at a time when the UC Board of Regents recently voted to increase pay for University of California chancellors by 30%, leading many to question the priorities of the institution.
For now, McKeown is focused on finding a way to keep teaching, even as he copes with housing instability. His story serves as a reflection of the growing struggle for educators in high-cost cities, where even stable employment doesn’t always guarantee a secure place to live. He has currently moved his classes to online, but blow back from UCLA has been swift.
