In the collective bargaining agreement, the definitions for the three levels of GE appointments are as follows:
Graduate Employee (GE) I
Regularly enrolled graduate students admitted to a graduate degree program or doctoral students who are not eligible for a GE II or GE III appointment.
Graduate Employee (GE) II
Regularly enrolled graduate students who have one of the following:
- A master's degree in the same or cognate field
- Successfully completed a qualifying examination
- Completed 45 credit hours toward a doctoral degree and have written recommendation of the head of their major department
Graduate Employee (GE) III
Regularly enrolled doctoral students who have been advanced to candidacy.
The levels and type of appointment become "grade" on the PRF:
Level Changes
In most hiring units, GE salary rates vary by level. When a GE becomes eligible for a level increase, they should notify the supervisor. This is particularly important for GEs employed by units other than their own graduate program.
Level increases take effect the term after the specific eligibility criteria have been met. For example, a student who advances to candidacy in fall term is eligible for a level III appointment in the following winter term.
Level increases are not automatic. They must be requested via a new PRF, accompanied by documentation if required (e.g., a 45 credit memo, a copy of a master's transcript from another school, etc.). It is the student's and academic unit's responsibility to initiate level increases.
Using Banner
Staff can confirm that a student has met the criteria for level II based on their holding a master's degree by looking at SQADEGR in Banner (see "Summary" tab).
To confirm that a student has met the advancement criterion for a level III, look at SQADEGR in Banner (see "Comments" tab).