UCSC Graduate
Student Association
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What Did We Do for You in the Last 12 Months?
Some specific achievements:
Our vision plan will improve for the first time in its history. The improved vision plan will eliminate the materials co-pay, decrease the examination co-payment, increase the contact lens benefit, and add some out-of-network benefits. For GSHIP, the medical premiums will increase to cover medical inflation, which will enable us to maintain our level of benefits. We were also able to decrease the medical out-of pocket maximum from $5000 to $3000. This means that if you get into a serious accident, you will only have to pay the first $3000. This benefit is now the same as what the undergrads have. Finally, our dental coverage will be maintained, although the premium had to increase sharply to allow us to keep the same coverage. We will be able to keep last year's improvements in dental coverage, including coverage for root canals, partial coverage of crowns, and coverage for composite fillings, despite steep increases in the premiums.
2. Co-sponsored 10 events, organized by and for graduate students, and offered two tax seminars for grads
Events included a Chinese students reception, the Women of Color Film Festival, an immigration seminar, a master class in Sanjo performance and composition, the pamphlet "Making sense of the UCSC crisis," a DVD library for the Grad Commons and various film screenings. Click here to apply for co-sponsoring. 3. Successfully lobbied for lowering rents at Graduate Student Housing from $832 a month to $725 for the coming year
In 04/05, rents at Graduate Student Housing were $832 ($776) per month for a 10 (12) month contract. After meetings with The Colleges and University Housing Services and the Chancellor, rents will go down to a uniform $725 a month in 05/06. Rents will be reviewed during the year and possibly lowered further if occupancy remains low. 4. Threw 3 parties in the Grad Commons
We had one party each in fall, winter and spring quarter. Food and drink were served and between 150 and 250 grad students attended each party, providing graduate students with an opportunity to meet grads from other departments. 5. Gave average travel grants of $240 to 60 graduate students
Click here for details on how to apply. 6. Obtained catalog rights for all graduate students, starting in '06/'07
Undergrads have enjoyed catalog rights for many years. These rights guarantee that degree requirements are transparent and cannot be changed arbitrarily against the interest of students. We managed to obtain the same rights for graduate students. Starting in 06/07, the General Catalog will include the following paragraph in the section on graduate studies: "Students matriculating in a given graduate program will select the UCSC General Catalog they will follow to meet their requirements to be either the one published the year they enter the program, or any subsequent catalog published prior to the year they are awarded the sought degree. Should the student choose to follow catalog requirements for a year for which the catalog is not printed in hard-copy, the requirements will include any online catalog update for that year. A student must follow the chosen catalog in its entirety, including both individual degree program as well as general University requirements. General University requirements may be found in the Graduate Handbook, http://graddiv.ucsc.edu/handBook.html." 7. Drafted a new appeals process for graduate students and initiated its implementation by the administration
Given the inadequate current process, we drafted a new appeals process based on the one at UC Berkeley and the University of Washington. We presented it to the Graduate Council which will discuss its adoption in fall '05. 8. Obtained summer bus passes for all grads working as GSRs over the summer
Any graduate student with a summer appointment (TA or GSR) will receive a summer bus pass at no cost if they do not participate in any other TAPs program (parking permit, vanpool, scratch offs, etc). If you do have a parking permit or vanpool, you can purchase a summer bus pass at $2 per month. TAPS will use payroll in order to verify if you are a TA/GSR. Note: Sometimes payroll will not be up to date so some graduates may be required that you show proof of either TAship or GSR. A simple email to TAPS from your professor will be all that is needed to establish that you are a TA/GSR. Pick up the bus pass from the TAPS office if you fully plan to utilize it. TAPS will reevaluate the cost of the program next year, so please do not pick up a pass if you'd use it only occasionally.
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