Please complete this form to indicate support for the following bill of rights.
Preamble
Graduate students function within the university as both students and workers and deserve support and protections that speak to all aspects of graduate life. We claim these rights as foundational elements of a successful, supportive, and safe institution for graduate student workers: protected rights to which all workers should have access; the right to prioritize and protect personal health; the right to a work / life balance; the right to a professional environment that protects and fosters well-being and safety. All of the rights described below contribute to graduate students’ right to thrive - to move beyond survival throughout their programs and prioritize their health and development.
Worker Protections
Right to unionize
Right to shared governance
Right to engage in advocacy, lobbying, and debate without fear of reprisal
Right to privacy
Right to freedom from discrimination, bullying, harassment, exploitation, violence, and sexual misconduct
Right to third-party mediation and arbitration of grievances
Equitable Access
Right of equitable access to employment and education for all marginalized groups
Right to appropriate accommodations, protections, and dedicated support services for marginalized groups
Right to compensation for additional labor done by students from marginalized groups
Priority and Protection of Personal Health
Right to affordable, stable, and comprehensive healthcare
Right to affordable, quality housing in the vicinity of their institution
Right to family and personal leave and affordable childcare
Right to a safe and healthy environment
Work / Life Balance
Right to fair hours
Right to a living wage
Right to job security and stability
Right to retirement access
Professional Environment of Well-Being and Safety
Right to consistent and transparent academic and professional expectations
Right to respect and recognition as productive scholars and employees
Right to leave or transfer without professional blacklisting
Right to professional autonomy, self-determination, and academic freedom
Right to institutional transparency
Right to a high-quality education and professional mentorship
Right to thrive
