CMU grad students form a union

 By Benjamen Evers

Central Michigan University’s graduate students are starting to band together in the formation of a union

The CMU Graduate Student Union formed roughly two weeks ago and has accumulated over 80 members, said CMU graduate student Michael Hoerger.

He said, “ Although we are a union, CMU has not recognized us.”

The purpose of the union, according to Hoerger, is to ensure that CMU graduate students are receiving at least what he calls a, “living wage.”

“We just want to get paid for the work we do that makes CMU great,” Hoerger said. 

An increased stipend was recently approved at the CMU Board of Trustee’s meeting, however a request for medical and dental benefits was denied. 

CMU masters students may receive $14,400 instead of $9,475 and doctoral students may now receive $18,550 instead of $10,550.

CMU interim dean of graduate studies Roger Coles says that this benefits program is comparable to that of other universities.

Hoerger said that these wages, “present the illusion of a living wage.”

He said that those wages are the maximum amount that students could receive, and he has never known a student who has been paid the full amount.

“This is like saying the U.S. economy is doing well because Bill Gates has billions of dollars,” Hoerger said.

CMU currently funds 20 credits of tuition per year, which amounts to 10 credits per semester.

Hoerger said that there are many graduate students who are required to take more than this per semester, so the paychecks go right back to the university in the form of tuition.

CMU President Michael Rao said that the money for these increased benefits would mean cuts from other departments.

Hoerger said, ” based on the enthusiasm and support . . .I am thoroughly convinced that this union effort will succeed.”