Graduate employees head to the polls today and Friday to decide the fate of the Graduate Employees Union.

Chris Oliver, president of the union, said he is optimistic.

“We feel confident,” he said. “We think that the majority of the teaching assistants will make the right decision.”

Oliver said union elections usually draw about 80 percent of eligible voters, but he wants more.

Bob Banks, assistant vice provost for Academic Human Resources, said high turnout is essential.

“Review all the materials and go out and vote,” he said. “Whoever votes determines the outcome.”

But while it’s important to go out and vote, it’s also important for voters to be well-informed, Banks said.

“It’s an important matter and people should study the issues and go and vote,” he said.

The union requires a simple majority to vote in its favor in order to be certified by the Michigan Employment Relations Commission.

The certification would require MSU to negotiate a contract.

According to an agreement reached March 22 between MSU and the union, all graduate employees appointed as teaching assistants - not research assistants- are eligible to vote. Voting runs from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. today in the International Center Library.

Students can also cast their ballot in the same location Friday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m.

For more information visit www.msu.edu/~gradschl/stipend/consent.htm.