Some Tuition Waivers to be Cut!
Recently, UI administrators formally told GEO representatives that they are planning cuts to the current tuition waiver policy.
Included is an elimination of tuition waivers for those with less than a 33% appointment (current policy provides tuition waivers for appointments of 25% and greater), and an elimination of tuition waivers for assistantships in specific programs, which they deem “tuition-supporting.” While they wouldn’t/couldn’t provide a detailed list of these programs they did mention Master’s programs in Business, Law, Social Work, GSLIS, and Computer Science as examples.
The GEO needs to take a strong stand against any reductions in the compensation received by graduate employees. We have the strength to do it (over 2000 members and growing!), but everyone is going to have to chip in to SAVE TUITION WAIVERS!!!
What can I DO to keep tuition waivers from being phased out?
LEARN MORE by reading the overview of the plan and FAQ located at:
TUITION WAIVER WIKI
Tell your friends about the plan and encourage them to get involved too.
SPEAK WITH FACULTY or your department head. Ask them how they would deal with a reduction in tuition waivers and how it would affect the department. Get them to discuss the issue at faculty meetings. Encourage them to write a letter to the graduate college expressing major reservations about reducing the tuition waiver program. You can add information to the wiki, once you get it from your department.
ATTEND MEETINGS: The GEO is planning a public forum for February 11, 5pm, to circulate information and coordinate a response. Also, at 3pm on February 23 there is a Faculty Senate meeting. This is a public meeting and it will be important for a large group of GEO members to raise this issue at that time (wearing your GEO shirt).
JOIN the Facebook group -
“Say NO To ELIMINATING TUITION WAIVERS at UIUC!” Click on “Join this group”
Then invite all your friends to join. This will be a forum for disseminating information, flyers that you can print and hang in your department, future meetings and actions, etc. Engage in discussion with hundreds of your fellow graduate employees & allies who have already joined.
DOWNLOAD and Print the Tuition Waiver Petition. Circulate the petition throughout the campus community and return to the GEO office!