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Image of Stanford graduate worker, Orisa Coombs, and a description of their work
Image of Stanford graduate worker, Mallen Clifton, and a description of their work
Image of Stanford graduate worker, Nick Snyder, and a description of their work
Image of Stanford graduate worker, Chad Serrao, and a description of their work
Image of Stanford graduate worker, Liam Sherman, and a description of their work
Image of Stanford graduate worker, Emi Soroka, and a description of their work
Image of Stanford graduate worker, Emma Cuddy, and a description of their work

Announcements

  • SGWU is surveying application outcomes for Emergency Grant-In-Aid and other graduate financial aid programs. Please submit your experience so we can ensure you get the full benefit of our contract.
  • SGWU met with Stanford to discuss upcoming changes to Cardinal Care. See our summary of changes, notes from our meeting with Stanford (in progress), and ask your questions.
  • SGWU met with Stanford to discuss the status of the 5-year funding guarantee. See our notes (in progress)

Experiencing a workplace issue?

If you, a coworker, or a friend have encountered a violation of the contract, have been denied the rights enshrined in our contract, or are denied funding, an SGWU steward can help.

Report an Issue

Claim your benefits!

  • Living off campus? Claim your Caltrain GoPass for free train rides.

  • Emergency Grant-in-Aid (EGIA) provides financial assistance for unexpected expenses outside the standard student budget. EGIA can cover expenses for chronic medical and mental health conditions; medically necessary expenses (e.g. dental and vision); bike repairs; computer repairs; and legal expenses related to maintaining visa status.

  • The Graduate Student Aid Fund covers health-related University fees such as the Campus Health Service Fee and Cardinal Care Insurance premiums when those expenses create a significant financial hardship (including to cover spouses through the dependent insurance plan).

  • The Graduate Family Grant provides flexible funds for healthcare, childcare and rent for graduate students with dependent children who earn <$150k annual household income.

We are under contract! Time for union building

The members of Stanford Graduate Workers Union voted to ratify the November 12, 2024 tentative agreement with Stanford as their first contract. If your contract rights have been violated or you have been denied funding, please reach out to SGWU’s Campus Chief Steward chief-steward@sgwu.us or one of your Area Chief Stewards.

SGWU now seeks to build off the incredible momentum of our contract campaign to build a strong and effective union that can enforce our contract and improve the lives of graduate workers at Stanford for generations to come.

Announcements

  • SGWU is surveying application outcomes for Emergency Grant-In-Aid and other graduate financial aid programs. Please submit your experience so we can ensure you get the full benefit of our contract.
  • SGWU met with Stanford to discuss upcoming changes to Cardinal Care. See our summary of changes, notes from our meeting with Stanford (in progress), and ask your questions.
  • SGWU met with Stanford to discuss the status of the 5-year funding guarantee. See our notes (in progress)

Experiencing a workplace issue?

Our first contract was ratified in Nov 2024. If you, a coworker or a friend have encountered a violation of the contract or have been denied funding, please reach out to SGWU’s Campus Chief Steward chief-steward@sgwu.us or one of your Area Chief Stewards.

Become a member

Are you new to SGWU? Become a member by signing a digital membership card! If you believe you are eligible, but our system says you aren’t, please email or reach out to us to become a union member.

Once you are a member, you can join our Slack Workspace and attend monthly General Membership Meetings (GMMs).

Note: if you have signed a card but hold a partial or full fellowship, please make sure to pay voluntary dues if you want to be a member in good standing. Being a member in good standing allows you to vote, attend union meetings, and participate in general union democracy. Refer to Section 4 of the Membership and Dues FAQ for details on how to pay voluntary dues.

Faculty, please email faculty@sgwu.us with questions.

We need you to build a stronger union

Become a union steward

Effective unions are built off having a broad array of stewards across campus to help identify issues and provide local expertise as we support graduate workers. Our stewards are our first line of defense to enforce our contract and protect graduate workers from contract violations.

Read more about becoming a steward. Steward trainings are announced on a regular basis at sgwu.us/s/steward-training.

Join a standing committee

Are you interested in organizing and leading our union? SGWU has three standing committees that help run our day-to-day operations: Membership Building, Data + Tech, and Communications.

Read more about joining a standing committee. Fill out the standing committee interest form and a union organizer will reach out to you!

Got Questions?

Please refer to our General FAQs and our Membership and Dues FAQ for any questions you may have.

As always, you can reach us at contact@sgwu.us any time with additional questions.