What's happening
This bill increases SUNY graduate student stipends by 2% annually for three years and continues several related employee support funds and programs.
Why it matters
Addresses cost-of-living pressures for graduate students. by providing annual 2% stipend increases and raising the minimum stipend at university centers, potentially making SUNY more competitive in attracting and retaining graduate talent.
Expands targeted financial support. through continued funds for doctoral and comprehensive college graduate program recruitment/retention, fee mitigation (including technology fees), and location-based adjustments for students in high-cost downstate areas—helping offset specific financial burdens.
Supports graduate student well-being and professional growth. by maintaining programs for work-life services, professional development, and a joint labor-management advisory board, which can improve quality of life and career prospects for SUNY graduate employees.
Includes a continued accidental death benefit. of $50,000 for on-the-job fatalities, offering additional security for graduate student employees and their families—an uncommon protection in many graduate employment settings.
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Who cares
SUNY graduate student employees
The bill would provide eligible employees with annual 2% stipend increases for 2016-2017 through 2018-2019 and continue fee mitigation, work-life services and professional development programs.
SUNY administrators
The bill would continue funds for enhanced compensation in selected doctoral and graduate degree programs and location adjustments for employees working in specified downstate counties.
The union representing SUNY graduate student employees
The bill would require certification of a ratified, fully executed collective bargaining agreement before implementing stipend increases and benefit changes, while continuing joint labor-management programs.
Surviving spouses and children of SUNY graduate student employees
The bill would continue a $50,000 death benefit for qualifying accidental on-the-job deaths when a workers’ compensation death benefit is paid.
Headline styles
Increase Graduate Student Stipends
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
No co-sponsors yet.
History
- Signed chap.166
- Delivered to governor
- Returned to senate
- Passed assembly
- Message of necessity - 3 day message
- Ordered to third reading rules cal.692
- Substituted for A8539
- Referred to ways and means
- Delivered to assembly
- Passed senateVote 62–0
- Message of necessity - 3 day message
- Ordered to third reading cal.2202
Show 1 earlier action
- Referred to rules
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Increase SUNY Grad Stipends
Assembly Floor Calendar · Sponsor Anthony D'Urso
Full text
6 pagesUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
6819
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
June 20, 2017
Introduced by Sen. HANNON -- (at request of the Governor) -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Rules
AN ACT to provide for the adjustment of stipends of certain incumbents in the state university of New York and designating moneys therefor; to continue a doctoral program recruitment and retention enhancement fund; to continue work-life services programs; to continue a professional development committee; to continue a comprehensive college graduate program recruitment and retention fund; to continue a fee mitigation fund; to continue a downstate location fund; to continue a joint labor management advisory board; to continue an accidental death benefit; and making an appropriation therefor
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. Adjustment to stipends of certain incumbents in the state university of New York. (a) The stipend as of academic year 2016-2017 for an incumbent of a position in the state university of New York in the collective negotiating unit designated as the state university graduate student negotiating unit in the state university of New York established pursuant to article 14 of the civil service law, on September 30, 2016, shall be increased by two percent adjusted to the nearest whole dollar, commencing the beginning of the payroll period the first day of which is nearest to October 1, 2016. "Incumbent," as referenced in this subdivision, shall be defined as members of the state university graduate student negotiating unit established pursuant to article 14 of the civil service law who were employed by the state university of New York on the effective date of the increase and at the time of payment.
(b) The stipend as of academic year 2017-2018 for an incumbent of a position in the state university of New York in the collective negotiating unit designated as the state university graduate student negotiating unit in the state university of New York established pursuant to article
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD12016-01-7
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14 of the civil service law, on September 30, 2017, shall be increased by two percent adjusted to the nearest whole dollar, commencing the beginning of the payroll period the first day of which is nearest to October 1, 2017. "Incumbent," as referenced in this subdivision, shall be defined as members of the state university graduate student negotiating unit established pursuant to article 14 of the civil service law who were employed by the state university of New York on the effective date of the increase and at the time of payment.
(c) The stipend as of academic year 2018-2019 for an incumbent of a position in the state university of New York in the collective negotiating unit designated as the state university graduate student negotiating unit in the state university of New York established pursuant to article 14 of the civil service law, on September 30, 2018, shall be increased by two percent adjusted to the nearest whole dollar, commencing the beginning of the payroll period the first day of which is nearest to October 1, 2018. "Incumbent," as referenced in this subdivision, shall be defined as members of the state university graduate student negotiating unit established pursuant to article 14 of the civil service law who were employed by the state university of New York on the effective date of the increase and at the time of payment.
(d) (i) This subdivision shall apply to employees in the collective negotiating unit designated as the state university graduate student negotiating unit in the state university of New York established pursuant to article 14 of the civil service law.
(ii) The minimum stipend for academic year 2016-2017 shall increase by two percent to $9,573 annually for employees on full assistantships at university center campuses effective concurrent with the effective date of the increase in subdivision (a) of this section commencing the beginning of the payroll period the first day of which is nearest to October 1, 2016.
(iii) The minimum stipend for academic year 2017-2018 shall increase by two percent to $9,764 annually for employees on full assistantships at university center campuses effective concurrent with the effective date of the increase in subdivision (b) of this section commencing the beginning of the payroll period the first day of which is nearest to October 1, 2017.
(iv) The minimum stipend for academic year 2018-2019 shall increase by two percent to be $9,959 annually for employees on full assistantships at university center campuses effective concurrent with the effective date of the increase in subdivision (c) of this section commencing the beginning of the payroll period the first day of which is nearest to October 1, 2018.
(v) Nothing herein shall prevent the state university of New York, in its discretion, from increasing amounts paid to an incumbent of a position of the state university graduate student negotiating unit in the state university of New York established pursuant to article 14 of the civil service law in addition to the minimum stipend provided, however, that the amounts required for such other increases and the cost of fringe benefits attributable to such other increases, as determined by the comptroller, are made available to the state in accordance with procedures established by the state university of New York.
(e) Notwithstanding any of the foregoing provisions of this section, any increase in compensation or lump sum payment may be withheld in whole or in part from any employee to whom the provisions of this section are applicable when, in the opinion of the chancellor of the state university of New York, the director of the budget, and the direc-
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tor of the governor's office of employee relations, such increase is not warranted or is not appropriate.
§ 2. Doctoral program recruitment and retention enhancement fund. There is hereby continued, within the state university of New York, a doctoral program recruitment and retention enhancement fund from the amounts appropriated herein. Such fund shall be used to enhance employee compensation for the purpose of recruitment and retention of new and existing doctoral students in selected programs. The specific doctoral programs eligible for enhanced compensation pursuant to this section shall be at the discretion of the state university of New York. Pursuant to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, these funds may be reallocated for use by other joint committees upon mutual agreement of the parties. To be eligible for such payment, an employee must be employed on or after July 2, 2016 and at the time of payment. This program shall expire July 1, 2019.
§ 3. Comprehensive college graduate program recruitment and retention fund. There is hereby continued, within the state university of New York, a comprehensive college graduate program recruitment and retention fund from the amounts appropriated herein. Such fund shall be used to enhance employee compensation for the purpose of recruitment and retention of new and existing graduate students in selected degree programs. The specific graduate degree programs eligible for enhanced compensation pursuant to this section shall be at the discretion of the state university of New York. Pursuant to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, these funds may be reallocated for use by other joint committees upon mutual agreement of the parties. To be eligible for such payment, an employee must be employed on or after July 2, 2016 and at the time of payment. This program shall expire July 1, 2019.
§ 4. Fee mitigation fund. There is hereby continued, within the state university of New York, a fee mitigation fund from the amounts appropriated herein. Such fund shall be used for the purpose of funding the cost of various fees, including but not limited to technology fees. Pursuant to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, these funds may be reallocated for use by other joint committees upon mutual agreement of the parties. To be eligible for such payment, an employee must be employed on or after July 2, 2016 and at the time of payment. This program shall expire July 1, 2019.
§ 5. Downstate location fund. There is hereby continued, within the state university of New York, a downstate location fund from the amounts appropriated herein. Such fund shall be used for the purpose of funding location adjustments in the downstate area for employees whose work site is New York City, Suffolk, Nassau, Rockland, Westchester, Dutchess, Putnam or Orange counties. The specific location adjustments funded pursuant to this section shall be at the discretion of the state university of New York. Pursuant to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, these funds may be reallocated for use by other joint committees upon mutual agreement of the parties. To be eligible for such payment, an employee must be employed on or after July 2, 2016 and at the time of payment. This program shall expire July 1, 2019.
§ 6. Joint labor management advisory board. Pursuant to the terms of an agreement negotiated between the state and the employee organization representing employees in the collective negotiating unit designated as the state university graduate student negotiating unit in the state university of New York established pursuant to article 14 of the civil service law, there shall be continued a joint labor management advisory board to study and make recommendations concerning issues of work-life
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services programs and implement agreements that may be entered into between the state and such employee organization concerning such issues within the appropriations made available therefor. Pursuant to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, these funds may be reallocated for use by other joint committees upon mutual agreement of the parties.
§ 7. Work-life services programs. Pursuant to the terms of an agreement negotiated between the state and the employee organization representing the collective negotiating unit designated as the state university graduate student negotiating unit in the state university of New York established pursuant to article 14 of the civil service law, there shall be continued work-life services programs to be administered in accordance with such agreement within the appropriations made available therefor. Pursuant to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, these funds may be reallocated for use by other joint committees upon mutual agreement of the parties. This program shall expire July 1, 2019.
§ 8. Professional development committee. Pursuant to the terms of an agreement negotiated between the state and the employee organization representing the collective negotiating unit designated as the state university graduate student negotiating unit in the state university of New York established pursuant to article 14 of the civil service law, there shall be continued a professional development committee to review, make recommendations and implement programs for professional development. Such program shall be administered in accordance with such agreement within the appropriations made available therefor. Pursuant to the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, these funds may be reallocated for use by other joint committees upon mutual agreement of the parties. This program shall expire July 1, 2019.
§ 9. Notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, the appropriations contained in this act shall be available to the state for the payment of grievance and arbitration settlements and awards provided for in the collective negotiating agreement between the state and employee organization representing the collective negotiating unit designated as the state university graduate student negotiating unit in the state university of New York established pursuant to article 14 of the civil service law.
§ 10. Accidental death benefit. Pursuant to the terms of an agreement negotiated between the state and the employee organization representing the collective negotiating unit designated as the state university graduate student negotiating unit in the state university of New York established pursuant to article 14 of the civil service law, there shall continue to be a death benefit in the amount of fifty thousand dollars, in the event an employee dies on or after July 2, 2007 as the result of an accidental on-the-job injury and a death benefit is paid pursuant to the workers' compensation law, payable by the state to the employee's surviving spouse and children to whom the workers' compensation accidental death benefit is paid, or to the employee's estate, and in the same proportion as the workers' compensation accidental death benefit is paid. Such program shall be administered in accordance with such agreement within the appropriations made available therefor.
§ 11. Stipend increases and benefit modifications. The stipend increases and benefit modifications provided for by this act for state employees and any incumbent, as defined by section one of this act, in the collective negotiating unit designated as the state university graduate student negotiating unit in the state university of New York established pursuant to article 14 of the civil service law shall not be
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implemented until the director of the governor's office of employee relations has delivered to the director of the budget and the comptroller a letter certifying that there is in effect with respect to such negotiating unit a collective negotiating agreement which provides for such increases and modifications and which is ratified and fully executed in writing with the state pursuant to article 14 of the civil service law.
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to provide for the adjustment of stipends of certain incumbents in the state university of New York and designating moneys therefor; to continue a doctoral program recruitment and retention enhancement fund; to continue work-life services programs; to continue a professional development committee; to continue a comprehensive college graduate program recruitment and retention fund; to continue a fee mitigation fund; to continue a downstate location fund; to continue a joint labor management advisory board; to continue an accidental death benefit; and making an appropriation therefor
Purpose
This bill would implement the terms of a collectively negotiated agreement (hereafter "the Agreement") between the State of New York (hereafter "State") and the CWA Local 1104/ Graduate Students Employees Union (hereafter "GSEU"), the employee organization representing members of the State University Graduate Student Negotiating Unit (hereafter "Unit") established pursuant to Article 14 of the Civil Service Law.
Summary of provisions
Section 1 of this bill would provide an increase in stipends for eligible members of the Unit in the following amounts: a 2% annual increase effective on October 1, 2016; a 2% annual increase effective on October 1, 2017; and a 2% annual increase effective on October 1, 2018. Only employees who were on the State payroll on the payment effective date as well as at the time of payment will be eligible to receive any retroactive increase.
Read the full memo (880 words)
Section 1 of the bill would also provide an increase in the minimum stipend to eligible members of the Unit on full assistantships at university center campuses to the following amounts: $9,573 for academic year 2016-2017; $9,764 for academic year 2017-2018; and $9,959 for academic year 2018-2019. Only employees who were on the State payroll on the payment effective date as well as at the time of payment will be eligible to receive any retroactive increase.
Section 2 of this bill would continue the Doctoral Program Recruitment and Retention Enhancement Fund to enhance employee compensation for the purpose of recruitment and retention of new and existing doctoral students in selected programs.
Section 3 of this bill would continue the Comprehensive College Graduate Program Recruitment and Retention Fund to enhance employee compensation for the purpose of recruitment and retention of new and existing graduate students in selected degree programs.
Section 4 of this bill would continue the Fee Mitigation Fund for the purpose of funding the cost of various fees including technology fees.
Section 5 of this bill would continue the Downstate Location Fund 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.
Section 6 of this bill would continue the Joint Labor-Management Advisory Board, which would study and make recommendations concerning issues of work-life services programs.
Section 7 of this bill would continue Work-Services Programs to be administered in accordance with the Agreement. Section 8 of this bill would continue the Professional Development Committee to review, make recommendations, and implement programs for professional development.
Section 9 of this bill would make the appropriations in this bill available to the State for the payment of grievance and arbitration awards.
Section 10 of this bill would continue the Accidental Death Benefit in the amount of $50,000, payable to an employee's surviving spouse and children 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 increases 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 a fully executed and ratified collectively negotiated agreement in effect with respect to the Unit.
Sections 12 through 14 of this bill would provide the date of entitlement to stipend increases, deferred payment of stipend increases, and the use of appropriations provided within the bill.
Section 15 of this bill would provide a lump sum appropriation for personal and non-personal services and for salary adjustments to carry out the provisions of this bill.
Section 16 of this bill would provide appropriations for the extension of labor management funds pursuant to the Agreement between the State and GSEU.
Section 17 of this bill would make it effective immediately and be deemed to have been in full force and effect on and after July 2, 2016.
Statement in support
Enactment of this bill is necessary to implement the terms of the Agreement covering the period July 2, 2016 to July 1, 2019 between the State and GSEU representing members of the Unit established pursuant to Article 14 of the Civil Service Law.
Budget implications
This bill includes General Fund appropriations totaling $10.1 million to fund salary adjustments ($3.8M), fringe benefit costs ($2.0M), and the extension of labor management programs ($4.3M) pursuant to the terms of the Agreement covering the period July 2, 2016 to July 1, 2019 between the State and GSEU representing members of the Unit established pursuant to Article 14 of the Civil Service Law.
Effective date
This bill would take effect immediately and be deemed to have been in effect on and after July 2, 2016.
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