GE Basics

Graduate employees (GEs) are employees at the University Oregon who are graduate students. 

Compensation 
GEs receive monthly salary, full-time tuition waiver, mandatory fees subsidy and subsidized health insurance premiums, including coverage for eligible dependents. 

Types
1) Teaching (grader, discussion section* instructor, lab instructor, and instructor of record) 
2) Research
3) Administration 

Terms and Conditions
The collective bargaining agreement (CBA) between the University and the Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation details the rights and responsibilities of the GE.

Visit the Division of Graduate Studies GE website for more GE information.

*What is a discussion section?

Discussion sections usually accompany a large lecture class in the social sciences and humanities. When a student registers for a large lecture class taught by a professor, they are sometimes required to register for a weekly, 50-minute discussion section led by a GE as well. 

With 25 students or fewer, discussion sections are designed to provide opportunities for more engagement among students and between students and instructors.

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Paid and Unpaid Leave for GEs

The collective bargaining agreement gives all GEs sick time. 

Paid Sick Days
GEs accrue 3 work days of paid sick leave for every term of paid GE work. GEs can accrue a maximum of 10 work days of sick leave. 

Absence Notification Procedure
Read your hiring unit’s General Duties and Responsibilities Statements (GDRS) and be prepared work with your supervisor to identify how missed time can be made up.

Long-Term Absences
If you miss more than five days in a term, contact the Division of Graduate Studies.

Paid Family Leave - Oregon Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML)
GEs are eligible for up to 12 weeks paid leave under the PFML program.

Unpaid Family Leave - GE Family and Medical Leave (GEFML)
GEs are also eligible for up to 4 weeks of unpaid leave under the GEFML program.
Visit the UO Human Resources website to learn more. 
 

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Finding a GE Position

Your major department/program may have GE positions available for students. To find GE positions in other departments and programs, check out the GE Job Openings.

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Disability Accommodations

The UO offers a wide range of accommodations to support graduate students and GEs with disabilities. You can request disability-related support through the Office of Human Resources (HR) and the Accessible Education Center (AEC). 

Visit our Disability Accommodations page to find out what disability-related support is available for you.

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Reporting Obligation

Under current UO policy, GEs are designated reporters of disclosures of discriminatory misconduct. 

This means that if you receive disclosures of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation from students in your class, or students your are advising or otherwise supporting as part of your GE role, you must report them to the Title IX coordinator. A failure to report may be subject to discipline or other appropriate corrective measures.

Visit the Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance webpage to learn more about your responsibilities as a designated reporter. 

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Grievance Procedure

If you experience a problem related to your GE work, you may want to file a grievance. A “grievance” is a formal complaint alleging a violation of the collective bargaining agreement. 

Stay tuned for a Grievance Procedure page for graduate students coming soon.

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Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation (GTFF)

GTFF is a labor union representing all GEs at the University of Oregon. 

Collective Bargaining
GTFF negotiates with the University over wages, benefits, working conditions, and other work-related issues in a process known as collective bargaining. You can view the current collective bargaining agreement on the HR website and the GTFF webpage.

Grievance Procedure
GTFF also deals with GE grievances to enforce the contract. See Article 13 of the CBA to learn more about the grievance procedure. 

Informal Support
If you experience problems at work, you can talk to your GTFF stewards (department representatives), caucus chairs, and executive board members to seek a solution.

Community
GTFF offers a community for GEs from various backgrounds. In particular, its caucuses function as spaces where GEs with similar interests, concerns, backgrounds, or beliefs can work together on issues that affect them and their community.

Website: Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation 
Location: 609 E. 13th Ave.

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Human Resources

As UO employees, GEs have access to the resources offered by the HR Office. 

Website: UO Human Resources

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Division of Graduate Studies

If you have any questions regarding your GE role, short/long-term leave, grievance, and disability accommodations among others, contact the Division of Graduate Studies for consultations. 

Email: gradautestudies@uoregon.edu

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Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance

For questions and concerns related to harassment and discrimination, contact the Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance (OICRC).

Website: Office of Investigations and Civil Rights Compliance

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Teaching Support and Innovation

The UO Teaching Engagement Program (TEP) has created a webpage dedicated to GEs.

Consultations
TEP offers individual consultations in any area related to your teaching duty.

Department Discussions
TEP offers workshops tailored to address questions and issues specific to a department’s GEs.

Workshops
Check out TEP's Event Calendar for training opportunities.