January Update

Happy new year! We have a good deal of news to share:

GSU News

GSU News issue no. 4 will be released next week – look for it in the Reg, Crerar, and cafes around Hyde Park!  This issue will feature a spread on the possibility of GSU affiliating with an international union – more on which below.

AR Tuition

On Thursday, January 28th, 6-8pm in Harper Commons, GSU and the Student Gov’t Graduate Funding Committee will host an open forum on the ongoing campaign to abolish tuition charged to Advanced Residence students. Provost Thomas Rosenbaum will likely decide *this quarter* on how AR will be restructured, which makes it a critical time to think through and strategize how the campaign should proceed.  Free pizza and drinks!

For those not familiar with AR tuition issues, there are two documents you can read:  GSU’s statement on AR, and the report of the Provost’s Committee on AR.

Health Insurance

Thanks to all who took the admin’s survey, which included several questions that GSU’s health care committee pushed for.

Teaching Availability

GSU has been advocating since last school year for administration to create teaching jobs for all grad students, and our Teaching Availability committee is searching for new members.  If you are interested in organizing around this critical issue, email gsu@riseup.net.

Departmental Organizers

GSU continues to implement its departmental organizer system, with lead organizers now confirmed in four units:  Anthro, SSA, Music, and EALC.  We are searching for organizers across the university to take on a leadership role in their department or program.  Lead organizers hold departmental meetings to discuss workplace issues and build the organization within their unit.  If you are interested in becoming a departmental organizer, email gsu@riseup.net.

Affiliation

Lastly, on the possibility of GSU affiliating with an international union. We have held open meetings with SEIU, IWW, AFT and/or AAUP, and are now looking to broaden campus discussion in anticipation of a member referendum in the spring to decide the issue.  There are many ways to learn about it:  read the spread in GSU News, talk about it in departmental meetings, chat about it online….let us know your ideas about how to spread the word!