Graduate Assistants United eNewsletter Vol. 1, No. 5, June 6, 2002 ================================================ IN THIS ISSUE: Minimum Stipend Grievance Release-time positions available Health Survey Results *** IMPORTANT CHANGES TO STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE *** ================================================ (This issue is a little longer than normal because of the important health insurance information) MINIMUM STIPEND GRIEVANCE Last Fall, GAU filed a grievance on behalf of several hundred graduate assistants who were not paid the contractual minimum stipend. We were denied the grievance at Steps 1 (Graduate School), 2 ( UF President), and 3 (State BOE Chancellor). The UFF grievance committee has just reviewed the case, and determined that it will take this grievance to independent arbitration. We are grateful for the support from our parent union, and are confident we will win this grievance when an independent arbitrator reviews it. To see if you are one of the 417 graduate assistants affected by this grievance, please go to http://grove.ufl.edu/~goeddeke/minstpgr.pdf RELEASE-TIME POSITIONS AVAILABLE GAU has several release-time positions available for next academic year. A release-time employee is a graduate assistant who performs work for GAU, instead of performing work for their home department. We have three positions open for next year. The application deadline is Monday, July 8. Please direct your questions or resume to GAU Co-President Frank Goeddeke at goeddeke@ufl.edu HEALTH SURVEY RESULTS The recent health insurance survey was a resounding success. We had over 1,000 valid responses from graduate assistants and gained very valuable data that will help us bargain for effective health benefits. The University Administration apparently has been using the results from our survey to make health insurance estimates. The textual comments were especially insughtful and did alert us and the administration to several problem areas. Thanks again to all who completed the survey. Complete results are posted on the internet at http://grove.ufl.edu/~goeddeke/health.htm We discussed these results with the Infirmary staff. They asked us to let people know that all students can have access to the services of the infirmary for free. Basically, doctor visits are covered, but lab tests and treatments are not. Spouses can get the same services that students do, so long as they pay the health fee. Please consult the infirmary website for information http://www.health.ufl.edu/shcc/ The mental health staff at the infirmary also asked us to let graduate assistants know of the mental health services available at the infirmary. Apparently, graduate students are at higher risk for mental health problems than undergraduates are. Further, international graduate students are at much higher risk than domestic graduate students. If you experiencing a great deal of stress in your life, you should consider making an appointment with the professionals at the mental health center http://www.health.ufl.edu/shcc/smhs.htm We also discussed the results of the survey with Scarborough Insurance Co. They asked us to point out that there is a payroll deduction plan available for graduate assistants to buy insurance. In addition, if people are waiting for their student loan money to come in, they can submit the insurance application at the start of the semester, and pay the money when it comes in, and still be covered by insurance in the interim. Contact Scarborough Insurance directly if you have further questions http://www.scarins.com STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN CHANGES Because of our labor agreement with the University, GAU does have a seat on the Student Health Insurance Committee. Rates for the student health insurance plans next year will be the same as last year. However, one major change in coverage will occur. Starting in the Fall, generic birth control pills will be included in the prescription coverage, and will be included in the $600 maximum prescription benefits. GAU voted for this change. Unfortunately, the rates for the International Student Health Insurance will rise next year. Rates for the entire (12-month) year are: Age 25 and under: Student $665 Spouse $2128 One child $798 Each additional child $798 Age 26 to 30: Student $696 Spouse $2296 One child $835 Each additional child $835 Age 31 to 40: Student $720 Spouse $2388 One child $848 Each additional child $848 Age 41 to 50: Student $860 Spouse $2752 One child $848 Each additional child $848 Age 51 and over: Student $890 Spouse $2848 One child $848 Each additional child $848 ----------------------------------------------------------- You are being sent this email because Graduate Assistants United represents you in University employment matters. If you would like to be removed from this eNewsletter list, please respond to this email with the word "REMOVE" in the subject line. If you would like to be added to the list, send an email to goeddeke@ufl.edu -----------------------------------------------------------