According to the contract signed May 16, between the Graduate Employees Union and MSU officials, level-three pay is set for employees with a master’s degree or equivalent and at least four semesters’ experience as a graduate assistant - or equivalent at the faculty level - in the employing unit or in a department considered relevant by the chairperson of the employing unit.

Reread that contract language again if you aren’t convinced that “four means four.”

Some MSU departments changed the requirements to eight semesters and others changed it to 12. Why the double standard? If two teaching assistants both meet the level-three requirement, but only one of them actually is promoted to level-three pay, this is not only unfair but also unacceptable and violates the GEU-MSU contract.

This also is a procedure that promotes favoritism- something the union contract sought to abolish.

This grievance does not only affect current TAs that should be at level-three pay, but also affects recruiting graduate students.

Why would a prospective graduate student come to MSU with the knowledge that he or she may not be paid the amount specified in the contract signed between the MSU and union officials?

It seems the administration would want to adhere to the legal contract they signed five months ago and pay the TAs who meet the level three requirements what they deserve.

Four simply means four.

Khara Grieger
plant biology graduate student