Issues

Doctoral students beyond their guaranteed funding period will be notified regarding funding for an appointment no later than ninety (90) calendar days in advance for the fall semester, and no later than thirty (30) days in advance of the spring semester and summer session.

PhD Student Employees may apply for the University’s $4,000 child care subsidy, available once per year for each child who is under the age of 5 and not yet attending kindergarten. 

Decisions about academic standing or dismissal shall be at the University’s sole discretion, and shall not be subject to grievance or arbitration.

A Student Employee shall have the right to review and request a copy of their employment file.

Any claim that an individual Student Employee, the Union, or the University has violated the Agreement shall be subject to a 3-step grievance process, after which third-party arbitration may be pursued.

In accordance with OSHA guidelines, a Student Employee will not be required to work in conditions that pose an imminent danger to their health and safety.

Student Employees shall observe the listed University academic holiday schedule (12 days per year including President’s Day for Student Employees at CUIMC and the day before Election Day for those at Morningside), and if required to work on a holiday, shall receive an alternate day off. 

Student Employees are governed by, subject to, and have rights as outlined in the University’s Copyright and Intellectual Property policies, as may be amended from time to time.  

The University is committed to attracting the best minds from around the world and to providing support on visa and other issues through the International Students and Scholar’s Office (ISSO), including referrals to attorneys and agencies for complex immigration issues.

The parties recognize that the University has discretion over who is hired as a Student Employee, the qualifications for Student Employee positions and the methods used to make such hiring decisions.

Leaves available to students shall not be impacted by the Agreement. Student Employees will be eligible for Parental Accommodation for a 12-week period, pursuant to the University’s established policies for doctoral students.

The University retains the exclusive rights that it possessed before the selection of the Union as the exclusive bargaining representative, to direct, control, manage and schedule its operations, and to make any and all decisions affecting the University in a manner consistent with its self-determined educational and research mission.

The University and the Union agree that adequate opportunities for training and professional development are important.

Student Employees are governed by, subject to, and have rights as outlined in the University’s Misconduct in Research policies, as may be amended from time to time.  

In accordance with current practice, eligible Student Employees may continue to participate in the University’s Voluntary Retirement Savings Plan.

If part of the contract is found to be unlawful, the remainder of the Agreement shall remain in full force.

Due to the complexities of U.S. tax law and legal restrictions, the staff of the ISSO (and all University offices) are neither qualified nor permitted to provide individual tax advice.

The Union and the University agree that the University shall provide Student Employees with trainings and/or orientations required to fulfill their duties. 

Eligible Student Employees may participate in the University’s Transit/Parking Reimbursement Program on a substantially equivalent basis to similarly situated University employees. 

A Student Employee shall receive travel advances, direct travel funding, or timely reimbursement of expenses in accordance with the University and/or Departmental travel policy.

A joint committee shall be established to discuss the administration of the Agreement and related matters but not active grievances.

The Union and the University agree that the University shall provide access to workspace and materials. 

The workweek for a Student Employee shall average no more than 20 hours over the course of a semester, with emphasis placed on meeting the responsibilities assigned to the position, and on making progress toward their professional goals, and on demonstrating their intellectual and research capabilities, rather than on specific hours. 

Student Employees on 12-month research and teaching appointments are entitled to ten (10) days of vacation time off per year, and Student Employees that hold a teaching appointment for two (2) consecutive semesters in an academic year are entitled to eight (8) days of vacation time off.