This FAQ is meant to explain how proposed contract language might impact different bargaining unit members in their roles at Rutgers (TA,GA, Faculty, PI, etc).
Bargaining isn’t always a straight line and workers at Rutgers need to understand the protections we’ve won and how that is represented in our agreements with the University. This means understanding:
- The existing Article 12 in our collective bargaining agreement. This language and its requirements remain in effect until a new collective bargaining agreement is reached.
- The Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) ratified alongside our collective bargaining agreement and had important wins for grads and funding.
- The current Article 12 proposal we’ve put in front of management for our successor collective bargaining agreement for years 2026 through 2030 (click here for the proposal). This article has not reached tentative agreement and final language may look different. You can check our bargaining status at a glance to see proposals back and forth between the Union and management in real time.
Questions and Answers:
I can’t find the 5 years of funding language in the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA). Where is it?
In bargaining for the 2022- 2026 CBA , Rutgers wouldn’t agree to put this demand in the CBA itself. It went into a separate MOA ratified alongside the CBA. In the Memorandum of Agreement, on page 158, you’ll see the language we won, as follows:
4. Beginning with Fall 2024 for students entering their PhD graduate program that semester (side letter agreement not to be included in the collective negotiations agreement)
At the conclusion of a full-time PhD student’s one-year term of appointment as a TA or a GA, or following the conclusion of such student’s one-year fellowship, the University shall offer the full-time PhD student support through the completion of the fifth year of the student’s doctoral program provided the student is making adequate academic progress in their program through TAships, GAships or full University-sponsored fellowships
Please note that even though this language is not contained in the CBA, its enforceability is the same. Violations of this MOA language would still be subject to the Article 9 grievance procedure.
I began in 2022 or 2023 and I’m concerned about my future funding. Can the Union do anything to help?
We are fighting to get the 2022 and 2023 cohorts 5 years of funding support currently in negotiations for our 2026-2030 CBA. We have once again proposed its inclusion in the CBA, under Article 12. You can read the full proposal here. We will need grad workers and their Rutgers colleagues to speak up for why this is so important. Find out how to get involved here.
What obligations do departments have to inform graduate workers about their funding? And when will I know?
Under Article 12 of the 2022- 2026 CBA, departments are required to inform graduate workers, as follows:
All currently employed Teaching Assistants and Graduate Assistants shall be notified by the University in writing of their status for the coming academic year on or before April 30 for Fall semester appointments and October 31 for Spring semester appointments. Notification shall be either a) reappointment, or b) non-reappointment, or c) waiting list, with reappointment contingent upon the availability of funding or the meeting of other previously established and announced criteria.
The above CBA language stipulates that current TAs and GAs will receive notification for their funding for the following academic year by April 30th. You can read the article for the full list of information to be included in reappointment notices.
Will I receive a notice detailing my 5 years of funding?
Take a look at our MOA language again. See below:
Beginning with Fall 2024 for students entering their PhD graduate program that semester (side letter agreement not to be included in the collective negotiations agreement)
At the conclusion of a full-time PhD student’s one-year term of appointment as a TA or a GA, or following the conclusion of such student’s one-year fellowship, the University shall offer the full-time PhD student support through the completion of the fifth year of the student’s doctoral program provided the student is making adequate academic progress in their program through TAships, GAships or full University-sponsored Fellowships
If you began in Fall 2024 or after and have received notification of reappointment for your second year in the program, the University has an obligation to continue funding you through the 5th year of your program. A notification from the department to the student isn’t required, the funding support from the University, however, is.
Are there any reasons I could lose my 5 years of funding?
5 years of continued support through year 5 in the PHD program is contingent on the student’s “adequate academic progress.” Although the 5 years of continued support is new from the last round of bargaining, maintaining good student standing has always been necessary to be eligible for TA/GA employment. This criteria is set by individual schools, departments, and programs, and you should talk with your advisor about expectations if you have any questions. It’s important to understand that having an advisor is also considered part of maintaining good academic standing. Switches happen, but it’s important to identify who will serve as your new advisor so you maintain TA/GA employment eligibility.
I’m a PI and I serve as advisor to several students. Their funding is through my current grant, but I don’t know what the next 5 years of my funding will look like given my future grant(s) are still not finalized. Will I be personally responsible to continue funding them?
The contract states that the University (and not a PI) shall fund a grad student for five years, in the same way that the University is obligated under the contract to provide health insurance for graduate student workers. Our union doesn’t bargain with specific departments or labs but centrally with the University. Few PIs know what their grant funding situation will be for the next five years. This requirement in the contract provides secure funding for grad students without requiring any individual faculty member to predict their budget beyond the lifespan of a given grant.
If you have questions or concerns about this please reach out to your union at aaup@rutgersaaup.org.