Our benefits are hard-won through bargaining with the university and are protected by our contract. Please take advantage of all the resources available to you, and let us know what resources you would like to bargain for in the future!
Healthcare
Affordable access to quality health insurance was one of the main reasons the graduate students at MSU organized our Union.
Benefits Include:
- Mental Health Coverage
- Vision Coverage
- Dental Coverage
- Dependant Coverage
- Free vaccinations and medications for graduate workers on overseas assignments.
- If you are denied coverage under this plan file an appeal.
Tuition Waiver Pool
GEU negotiated 500 extra tuition waiver credits for Teaching Assistants to use.
These credits support TAs taking more than the 9 credit hours remitted for the fall/spring semesters and the 5 credit hours remitted for the summer.
For the online application, administered by the Graduate School, link the link below:
For additional information about the TA Tuition Pool, including application dates, click here.
If you have any questions related to the TA Tuition Pool, or if you have missed the application deadline and need assistance on a late application, please email our Tuition Pool Manager at tuition@geuatmsu.org.
Graduate TA Benefits
Pertaining to your education and role as a TA, some of your benefits include:
- Borrow library books for up to 180 days
- Free materials for the course you are teaching (e.g. desk copies of books)
- Free usage, training, and support for all the technology needed to instruct a course (computers, printers, photocopiers, etc.)
- Purchase a parking pass that allows you to park anywhere South of Red Cedar River and Brody Complex.
- Access to loading zones to transport materials for a course
- Receive reasonable access to buildings needed to instruct your course.
- A safe, confidential place to store all final exams and grading materials
- Be informed of any changes to grades you have assigned, and are able to comment on the improvements of a course you have instructed.
- Have a mailbox and email account.
Solidarity Grant
The Solidarity Grant Program exists to provide financial assistance to GEU members in hardship.
The following are examples of hardships prioritized when processing Solidarity Grant applications:
- Health & Safety (e.g., medical care)
- Basic Needs (e.g., food and shelter)
- Extreme circumstances (e.g., the threat of deportation/non-re-entry)
After applying, you should receive an email communication from the Solidarity Grant Administrator(s) within 2 weeks. The Solidarity Grant Administrator(s) can be reached at geusolidarity@gmail.com with any questions or comments regarding submitted Solidarity Grant applications.
If you are interested in serving on the committee that oversees the Solidarity Grant Program, please email treasurer@geuatmsu.org.
Each year, the Solidarity Grant Program has a finite amount to award to applicants, and the overseers of this program make every effort to steward the budget well and aim to help the greatest number of applicants experiencing hardship while being cognizant of concerns of social justice and the criticality of each individual’s financial need. To learn more about how the program is run and decisions are made, please click here.