May 6 2011
Dear Malcolm,
I notice you haven’t had a column for a while—does this mean grad students are being treated so well by the University that there are no more problems and you will be able to move back to Ireland?
Anyway, I had a quick question about tuition waivers. I am originally from the great state of North Carolina and am completing my Ph.D. in history at MSU. I was a TA in the fall and spring and I am taking a 5 credit class this summer to complete my studies. As I am being appointed as an instructor and not a TA for my summer teaching class I realize this means I have to pay tuition but does this mean I have to pay out of state tuition or do I qualify for in-state tuition. I would like to be able to afford more than just corn puddin’ this summer and paying in-state tuition would help out my bank balance!
Yours loudly,
Bolshy from Boone
Dear Bolshy,
Hearing you loud and clear!
Firstly, for the last time I am Scottish not Irish!
I have been very busy recently assisting the GEU bargaining team with their contract negotiations—now that is done I can go back to my day job—helping the hard-working grad students of MSU.
The pertinent part of the contract that answers your question is Article 20 Section II http://www.hr.msu.edu/documents/contracts/GEU_2008-2011.pdf “[A tuition waiver shall be provided during the period of employment.] This exemption also applies to Summer Semesters preceding and/or following a full academic year’s appointment.”
So, as you taught in the fall and the spring you do indeed qualify for in-state tuition for the summer. This should save you quite a few Roubles! Of course if you were a TA for the summer you would get 5 credit hours waived as a part of your TAship—but alas the university is now hiring most grad students as instructors and not TAs in the summer. As part of the recently ratified new contract for TAs, which comes into effect in August, there are 100 floating credits that can be applied for by TAs who need to take extra credits to satisfy their course requirements. The GEU is setting up a special interest group that will oversee the handing-out of these credits. Keep watching your e-mail and checking our website for more details. We are hopeful that this will help many of our members for whom the 9/9/5 tuition waiver is insufficient.
Have a great summer!
In solidarity,
Malcolm
If you want to be like Malcolm MacDuff and know your stuff then take a look at the GEU’s contract (http://www.hr.msu.edu/documents/contracts/GEU_2008-2011.pdf). We also have plenty of copies available in the GEU Office at 319 1/2 East Grand River Avenue (just West of Barnes & Noble, on the second floor).
Need dental? There is still time! Visit 
