Editor’s note: The following guest column is by Colleen Webb, vice provost for Graduate Affairs and dean of the Graduate School.
It is both an honor and a responsibility to support the growth and success of all Colorado State University graduate students, and I am elated to continue this work in my first fall semester as vice provost for graduate affairs and dean of the Graduate School.
As we launch into the endeavors of the academic year, I would like to take a moment to reflect on the progress made in enhancing compensation and benefits for our graduate assistants, who collectively include graduate teaching assistants, graduate support assistants and graduate research assistants.
Stipend increase
The Board of Governors approved a 2023-24 budget in June featuring a 5% stipend increase for all graduate assistants, effective July 1.
The stipend increase is a tangible recognition underscoring the dedication and vital contributions our graduate assistants make to research, teaching and the vibrant fabric of our community. I firmly believe that recognizing the hard work and dedication of graduate assistants is essential to fostering an environment where our entire academic community can thrive, especially the undergraduate students benefiting from the exceptional support and mentoring of our many graduate assistants. Approximately 45% of residential instruction graduate students, or about 2,000 graduate assistants, will support CSU’s academic mission and research enterprise this academic year.
Covering mandatory fees
Last spring, a phased-in approach to covering mandatory fees for graduate assistants began. Years of advocacy culminated as the Graduate School, the Office of the President, the Office of the Provost, Office of the Vice President for Research and the Graduate Student Council closely collaborated to implement the complex budgeting process necessary to cover fees.
This academic year, 50% of mandatory graduate assistant fees will be covered. During the next academic year, 75% of mandatory fees will be covered, and by the 2025-26 academic year, graduate assistants will benefit from 100% coverage of mandatory fees. Graduate assistants repeatedly identified fee coverage as a priority in their financial well-being, and through the efforts of many, progress in overall compensation will continue.
The extensive portfolio of critical services supporting the personal, academic and professional success of all students will not be impacted as part of the plan for graduate assistants to benefit from 100% coverage of mandatory fees. Funding will remain in place to support services such as the CSU Health Network, which provides medical and mental health services; Student Legal Services; student cultural and resource centers; assistance for students with disabilities; the Career Center services; and many other offices and programs that offer graduate student resources, counseling and support.
Professional development investments
In addition to these direct compensation enhancements, CSU is investing in the holistic development of graduate assistants as well as the greater graduate community. A recent component of this strategy is the provision of access to LinkedIn Learning — an on-demand video library and online educational tool provided by the Office of the Provost. All graduate students, as well as faculty and staff, can now expand their skillsets through an extensive collection of free trainings.
A re-envisioning of Graduate School investments in professional development, well-being and mentoring resources is also a priority for me as I continue my work in developing innovative new ways to augment direct compensation. Pursuing new funding streams for fellowships, scholarships and other forms of assistantships, such as the new Inclusive Excellence Fellowship, is also a long-term priority.
Commitment to continuous improvement
While we have made strong progress, particularly with fees and the largest stipend increase in many years, we must also remain attuned to the work that remains including the need to further improve the competitiveness of stipends. I recognize that the path to progress is continuous and that there is much room for further improvement in direct compensation as well as through initiatives around student success.
Regular compensation reviews involving the direct participation of individual graduate programs, the Graduate School, deans, the Office of the President, the Office of the Provost, and Graduate Student Council and other units is key to sustained improvement. It is these collaborative efforts that have bolstered progress and will continue to improve our momentum around compensation for graduate assistants.
I will also continue to recommend departments and programs implement an annual exercise, led by their graduate admissions committee, to review assistantship stipends and benefits at both peer and aspirational institutions. Ongoing assessment better ensures we are aligned with the University’s commitment to providing compensation that both acknowledges the value of its graduate assistants and keeps pace with our peer institutions, so we are better able to recruit a diverse and outstanding graduate body.
To our tenacious graduate students, I extend my deepest gratitude to your steadfast commitment to knowledge and your contributions to our entire community.
As we forge ahead, let us remain united in our unwavering pursuit of progress in compensation for our graduate assistants, while we center all graduate students as an integral part of CSU’s story.
I wish you a productive and enjoyable year!
