Current Events

2007 President's Welcome Jocelyne Dolce On behalf of the Graduate Assistants United (GAU), congratulations on your acceptance to the Graduate School and the assistantship you have been offered. The GAU is your organization – the organization that represents the interests of all graduate assistants (580 assistants) at the University of Rhode island. Since voting for recognition in 2003, the GAU has been responsible for securing an employment contract with the Board of Governors for Higher Education that includes salary increases, tuition waivers, paid health insurance, a 20% discount in mandatory fees, and other important employment benefits. The Negotiation Committee, which is comprised of graduate assistants, is negotiating an extension of the current contract. As a graduate assistant, you are automatically represented by the GAU. All graduate assistants are required to pay an agency fee, .81% of salary, for collective bargaining purposes, and this is automatically deducted from your paycheck. Although you are automatically represented by the GAU, you are not automatically a member. Being a registered GAU member enables you to hold executive committee positions, vote on GAU issues, such as ratification the contract currently under negotiation, and makes you eligible to apply for GAU funded research and travel grants. Membership to the GAU/AAUP requires that you sign a membership card. There is no additional fee for signing a card! Finally, participation in the association is very important. Attendance at meetings and events demonstrates the strength of our group. Please consider serving your academic department as a GAU steward. As steward, you will serve as a liaison between the GAU and assistants in your department. It’s a great way to become involved with the GAU. Please contact the GAU with questions or if you’re interested in becoming a steward, and visit the website regularly for upcoming events.

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