Ask a Dean Category: Union Representation
What ever happened with the union vote?
Category: Union Representation Date: January 2020
Dear Deans, What ever happened with the union vote? -Curious Response Dear Curious, Thanks for your Ask a Dean question. A statement about the certification of the March 2017 graduate assistant election results can be found here. Happy New Year, Barb Barbara A. Knuth Dean of the Graduate School
Are there any updates on the unionization vote that took place last spring?
Category: Union Representation Date: September 2017
Hello, I was wondering if there are any updates on the unionization vote that took place last spring? I was under the impression that the election would decide things one way or the other, but I never heard the final outcome, and it sounds like CGSU is still campaigning…? With thanks, Curious PhD Candidate Response…
Is the union allowed to use my name and image without my permission?
Category: Union Representation Date: March 2017
Hello Deans, It has come to my attention that CGSU has posted a photo of a banner in multiple places (website, Facebook, etc) in which member names can be seen. Many students have expressed concern that by releasing these names, CGSU violated their own constitution by not having permission from all of the students involved.…
If we vote to form a union, where will the money come from to pay for the added benefits?
Category: Union Representation Date: March 2017
Dear Deans, If we vote to form a union, where will the money come from to pay for the added benefits? I assume that the university has a balanced budget right now. Would fewer students be admitted? Regards, Cost-conscious Graduate Student Response Note: This response was edited to remove one sentence to address a concern…
Several questions about student union design
Category: Union Representation Date: March 2017
Dear Dean, I want to emphasize some deficiencies in the student union design with my questions integrated. The representation of union organizers tells us a lot: as far as I know, the active leaders in CGSU are predominantly white, who will NOT understand sufficiently on concerns from international non-white students. I emailed the CGSU before, and…
CGSU has created negotiating committees for various constituents, is the distribution of voters equal across these committees?
Category: Union Representation Date: March 2017
Dear Dean, An amendment at CGSU regarding the creation on a Negotiating Committee allocates two representatives to each of these constituents – Physical Sciences, Life Sciences, Engineering, Humanities, Social Sciences (Endowed Colleges) and Social Sciences (Statutory Colleges). Do all of these have equal number of eligible voters? How many eligible voters are there in Cornell?…
Am I eligible to vote in the upcoming election if I am provided with a partial stipend?
Category: Union Representation Date: March 2017
To Whom It May Concern, I am a Master of Engineering student being provided a partial stipend to work as a course grader. Am I eligible to vote in the upcoming union certification election? If not, why am I ineligible? Sincerely, Course Grader Graduate Student Response Dear Course Grader Graduate Student, Thank you for your…
If I vote not to be represented, will my wishes be recognized?
Category: Union Representation Date: March 2017
Dear Deans, I just had a quick question about the eligible voter email I received. You stated that I will soon receive additional information about how and when to cast a vote in the ballot election to indicate whether or not I wish to be represented for purposes of collective bargaining by CGSU / AFT…
Why have the Graduate School emails become verbose and redundant?
Category: Union Representation Date: March 2017
Hello Deans, Why are there so many emails regarding the union that seem to be redundant. I’m sure you’re aware of how many grad students you reach with each email, so I would like to wonder why you do not make them more compact, less redundant, and free from error? Five minutes of your time…
How will the election determine the desire of graduate students to have a union if eligible students can’t vote?
Category: Union Representation Date: March 2017
Buenos días Deans, My question pertains to in absentia students’ ability to participate in the upcoming union representation election. On the afternoon of Friday, March 17th, I received an email from Associate Dean for Administration Jason Kahabka instructing me, as an in absentia student and eligible voter, to contact the American Arbitration Association (AAA) to…