Relates to stipends and funds for the state university of New York

Section 1 of this bill would provide for a 3% annual increase in the stipends for members of the Unit, effective on October 1, 2007 and Octo- ber 1, 2008, and a 3% annual increase in the minimum stipend, to $8,336 for 2007-08, and to $8,586 for 2008-09.

Section 2 of this bill would continue the Doctoral Program Recruitment and Retention Enhancement Fund from amounts appropriated in the bill, to enhance employee compensation for the purpose of recruitment and retention of new and existing doctoral students in selected programs, and provide for the expiration of the program on July 1, 2009.

Section 3 of this bill would continue the Comprehensive College Graduate Program Recruitment and Retention Fund from amounts appropriated in the bill, to enhance employee compensation for the purpose of recruitment and retention of new and existing graduate students in selected degree programs, and provide for the expiration of the program on July 1, 2009.

Section 4 of this bill would continue the Fee Mitigation Fund from amounts appropriated in the bill, for the purpose of funding the cost of various fees including but not limited to technology fees, and provide for the expiration of the program on July 1, 2009.

Section 5 of this bill would continue the Downstate Location Fund from the amounts appropriated in the bill, for the purpose of funding salary adjustments in the downstate area for employees whose work site is New York City, Suffolk, Nassau, Rockland, Westchester, Dutchess, Putnam, or Orange counties, and provide for the expiration of the program on July 1, 2009.

Section 6 of this bill would continue the Joint Labor-Management Advi- sory Board; which would study and make recommendations concerning issues of family benefits.

Section 7 of this bill would continue the Employee Assistance Program for graduate student employees; within appropriations available for that purpose, and provide for the expiration of the program on July 1, 2009.

Section 8 of this bill would continue the Professional Development Committee to review, make recommendations, and implement programs for professional development, and provide for the expiration of the program on July 1, 2009.

Section 9 of this bill would make the appropriations contained in this bill available to the State for the payment of grievance and arbitration awards as provided for in the Agreement.

Section 10 of this bill would create an Accidental Death Benefit in the amount of $50,000, payable to an employee's surviving spouse and chil- dren or to the employee's estate in the event an employee dies on or after July 2, 2007 as the result of an accidental on-the-job injury.

Section 11 of this bill would provide that the stipend adjustments and benefit modifications provided in this bill would not be implemented until the Director of the Budget and the comptroller receive a letter certifying that there is in effect with respect to the unit a fully executed and ratified Agreement.

Sections 12 through 15 of this bill would set forth the dates of enti- tlement to the stipend increases and deferred payment of stipend increases provided by this bill, as well as the use and amount of appro- priation necessary to implement this bill.

Section 13 of this bill make it effective immediately and deem it to have been in effect on and after July 2, 2007.

Existing law

Chapter 41 of the Laws of 2005 sets forth the terms and conditions of employment for members of the Unit.

This bill is necessary to implement the terms of the Agreement between the State and the GSEU, the employee organization representing members of the State University Graduate Student Negotiating Unit, in relation to the terms and conditions of employment of members of the unit, including but not limited to negotiated stipend increases and programs.

Budget implications

This bill includes $13.04 million in All Funds appropriations ($11.64 million General Fund) to cover pay increases provided in the 2007-08 to 2008-09 Agreement, through the 2010-2011 fiscal year. The contemplated

2010-11 Financial Plan is sufficient to accommodate the costs associated with this bill.

Effective date

This bill would take effect immediately and be deemed to have been in effect on and after July 2, 2007.