University of South Florida Graduate Assistants United

10.13.2006

We had a good turnout for our October meeting. The minutes can be found here.

9.20.2006

In the coming weeks, GAU will be going around to several graduate offices. During those visits, we hope to meet as many graduate workers as possible, as well as GAU members who have been unable to attend any functions yet. Our goal, in addition to recruiting new members, is to speak with graduate laborers and become familiar with those issues you believe are important to have in mind when bargaining for our new contract, or just those issues that you believe could improve your life as a graduate employee. Also, you may see a survey sent out to our mailing list that asks for the same information, so if you have not spoken with us by the time it arrives, please fill it out and return it. If you are not yet on the mailing list, please send an email to Wendy King (waking@tampabay.rr.com) and request to be added.

9.15.2006

Elections are complete! For a list of the results, please click here.

9.7.2006

Today we are proud to announce that through the organizing efforts of GAU and other faculty and concerned parties, USF has decided to make the 12-credit hour rule OPTIONAL. This is a major victory for GAU and all graduate laborers at USF. We believe that this solution is equitable and represents the best interests of the University and graduate employees. Because graduate workers in many programs can indeed benefit from taking an additional course for "free," we are pleased that they will continue to have that option without overburdening those students who believe they cannot. To read the Oracle story on this victory, click here.

9.1.2006

GAU announces elections and plans to rebuild following a time of silence. For the past two years, GAU has been relatively inactive, but through the efforts of Sara Dykins-Callahan and some others, that will change this year. Galvanized around issues such as the 12-credit hour rule, better health insurance, and an increased minimum stipend, GAU is working to rebuild our union and organize a strong membership as we approach the bargaining of our new contract for 2007-2010 next spring. The first step was a very successful membership drive during the weeks surrounding the start of fall semester. We increased our membership by about 50% in those weeks alone, which is great news! Elections will be held on Sept. 15, which will formalize the leadership structure and allow GAU to work even more effectively with its members to improve the quality of work and life for graduate employees at USF.