Vol. 38, No. 18

4-20-2004
By: Karen Patterson

University improves graduate benefits

Changes effective autumn 2004

Ohio State is set to make several important improvements to compensation and the health care subsidy for its graduate associates (GAs), fellows and trainees during the next two academic years, Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Barbara Snyder recently announced.

Among the improvements, the minimum monthly stipend for GAs will increase to $1,000, and the university subsidization for funded graduate students covered by the Student Health Insurance Plan will increase to 64 percent in academic year (AY) 2005 and to 75 percent in AY 2006. Ohio State’s current minimum stipend is $900 a month, and the health care subsidy is 42 percent.

For the first time, the university also plans to offer a health care subsidy for dependent spouses and children of GAs, fellows and trainees covered by the student plan. The subsidy rate for dependents will be 25 percent for the upcoming academic year, and will increase to 50 percent in AY 2006. Additionally, premiums will be eligible for pre-tax deductions, helping stipends go further in meeting students’ monthly expenses. Nearly three-fourths of Ohio State graduate associates are enrolled in the student plan, but that figure is expected to grow.

The changes were recommendations of the Graduate Quality of University Experience (G-QUE) report, and are consistent with funded graduate student benefits at other institutions with which the university compares itself. A recent comprehensive comparison of economic support offered to graduate associates by the university’s peers backed a key finding of the G-QUE report that more needed to be done here to alleviate financial and health care concerns.

“If Ohio State wants to attract and retain the best and brightest graduate students, then we must create a supportive environment for them and demonstrate that we value their teaching, research and administrative roles,” Snyder said. “Increasing the minimum stipend and health care subsidies are important ways we can do this.”

G-QUE REPORT

The offices of Academic Affairs, Human Resources, the Graduate School and the Council of Graduate Students (CGS) worked closely together to draft the new stipend level and health care subsidy based on recommendations from the G-QUE report.

Aimed at enhancing the quality of graduate student life, the report made eight major recommendations, including strengthening the academic and interdisciplinary experiences of graduate students, enhancing professional development and career services, improving the campus climate for special populations, and alleviating financial and health care concerns. Among the many action items that have already been implemented are an increase in interdisciplinary activities, greatly enhanced professional development activities for graduate students, and mandated GTA training.

“Graduate students worked incredibly long hours analyzing the data, preparing the report, and working with appropriate offices to pursue the goals from the G-QUE. It is thrilling to see so many of our recommendations being acted upon,” said Susan Huntington, dean of the Graduate School. “Raising the minimum stipend and reducing health insurance costs will improve the quality of life for GAs, trainees and fellows. This is sure to have a beneficial effect for the institution as a whole, and is critical to our ability to achieve the objectives of the Academic Plan.”

Since the release of the G-QUE report in 2001, CGS has continued to pursue its recommendations, especially raising the minimum stipend for students with at least half-time graduate associate appointments and reducing the student share of health insurance, including the cost for individuals with dependents. In October 2003, CGS issued a resolution calling on the university to act on these compensation and benefits proposals.

“We felt that it was important to formally reconfirm our support for funded graduate students, and to ask the university to take action,” said Jamie Depelteau, CGS president. “Former (CGS) President Briggs Cormier had advocated for these changes since the report was first published, and we are delighted the university has been so responsive.”

The final recommendation of the G-QUE report was to monitor progress in implementing its recommendations and make adjustments as necessary, and the university will continue to follow that strategy, said Larry Lewellen, associate vice president for human resources. “Ohio State has just completed the first phase ever of planned graduate associate improvements, and we’re now entering a second, more aggressive, generation of enhancements,” Lewellen said.

The first phase, launched in 2001, introduced a health care subsidy, provided adult family members with access to the Student Health Center, increased the minimum stipend to $900, and enhanced bereavement leave.
Knowing the increased stipends and subsidies would place an additional strain on their financial resources, the college deans nonetheless advocated for the latest round of improvements.

“Despite the fact they continue to face state budget uncertainties as well as the need to make progress with the compensation initiative, the deans recognized that Ohio State recruits in an extremely competitive environment. These latest benefits were driven in large part by their desire to attract the highest caliber of graduate students,” Lewellen said. “There was also consensus that the improvements were the right thing for the university to do.”

Snyder agreed. “We will continue to monitor progress made against the G-QUE report, and we will work closely with the colleges to implement further recommendations. We know these enhancements will help us with both our recruiting efforts as well as with our desire to create a positive work-life environment for current students,” she said.

Other changes being planned for the 2005-06 academic year include standardizing letters of appointment and enacting family medical and paid leave, among others. Additional details will be sent to all affected students in the coming weeks, and will be posted online at http://hr.osu.edu/benefits/gahealth.htm.

onCampus Home