This is an archive of emails sent to sgwu-announce, a mailing list for all grad workers at Stanford.

2025-06-13: No Kings Mobilization THIS SATURDAY June 14th

Attend No Kings protests Saturday June 14th.


TL;DR

  • Attend No Kings Protests Saturday June 14th

Dear Stanford Graduate Workers,

SGWU will be at the Nationwide No Kings Day this Saturday, June 14th. In Palo Alto , there will be a parade at El Camino Real & Embarcadero at 2pm as well as a fair at Rinconada Park 3pm-5pm. You can also find events in San Francisco and around the nation at mobilizer.us/nokings. We encourage as many members as possible to attend these events if you feel safe doing so.

These protests help support and protect international workers and immigrants, stand up for due process, and reaffirm our rights to free speech. They are particularly relevant to the labor movement right now as David Huerta, an SEIU union leader, was arrested last Friday in LA. Labor rights and organizations are only one of the many rights and groups currently under attack.

Not comfortable protesting? Here are other ways you can get involved.

  • Volunteer with Santa Clara County Rapid Response Network [citizens only]

  • Contact your representatives

  • Donate to a cause of your choice

In solidarity,

SGWU

————————-

Upcoming Events:

General Membership Meeting + Juneteenth: 19 June, 5-6pm in STLC (Sapp) 114

| No Kings Day - Indivisible Palo Alto Plus On Flag Day, Donald Trump will oversee a military display that echoes the aggressive pretensions of dictators overseas. In Palo Alto, we will gather not just in protest, but in defiance—loud, proud, joyful defiance of a tinpot wannabe tyrant who thinks that celebrating his birthday matters more than honoring the flag that symbolizes our freedom. indivisiblepaloaltoplus.org
—|—



2025-06-11: Union Social at 6pm!

Union social today! Pizza and drinks.


Hey Grad Workers,

Reminder that there will be a union social today between EVGR B and C at 6pm! We’ll have pizza, drinks, union merch, and good vibes! Come and celebrate the end of the quarter with some other grad workers!

Yours in Solidarity,

The Membership Building Committee



2025-06-10: Appointment Notification, Summer Funding, CalTrain GO Pass

We've received many reports of Stanford misrepresenting our contract and trying to deny funding to grad mworkers. We're writing to clarify contract policies around funding. Plus, if you've moved off campus, get your CalTrain GO Pass!


TL; DR

  • Have questions about the union contract and union rules? Ask your steward, put questions in the SGWU Slack, or email contact@sgwu.us

  • If you are working this summer, you should get an Appointment letter by June 16th. If appointments are not finished by that date, you can still be given an appointment at a later date.

  • Summer Appointments above 50% (up to 90%) are still explicitly allowed in the contract

  • Hourly work is still explicitly allowed in the union contract

  • Moving off campus this summer? Update your address in Axess and then sign up for your free CalTrain GoPass at sgwu.us/s/go

Dear Fellow Graduate Workers,

As Summer Quarter kicks off, new union clauses go into effect (specifically Appointment Letters). We know that funding is stressful right now, and have received many reports of Stanford misrepresenting the union contract and trying to use it to get away with changing policies. We want to explain some of the union policies that impact funding to help everyone know their rights, and be able to identify misinformation from Stanford. If you have any questions about funding, Appointment Letters, duties, or anything else, please reach out to a steward, the questions channel on Slack, or contact@sgwu.us.

  • Appointment letters for Summer quarter must be sent out by June 16th. Appointment letters will be provided for all appointments going forward.

    • This letter should tell you your FTE, pay classification and quantity, payment schedule, whether there is tax withholding, anticipated work schedule, and a summary of duties

    • Once issued, Stanford cannot change your appointment type or reduce your FTE/pay.

    • Particularly in these early quarters we encourage you to talk to your advisor or supervisor and work with them to make sure your appointment letter is an accurate reflection of the work you do.

    • This letter also contains a FERPA Communication to Graduate Workers and a FERPA Release Form for Graduate Workers.

  • Appointments will generally start being distributed earlier. This is important to address long-standing issues where grad workers faced uncertainty on funding and ambiguity about who was interested in what CA/TA positions.

    • Your advisor and department can still make appointments after June 16th. The contract explicitly allows this. If anyone gives you trouble about finding an appointment ‘past the deadline’ please reach out to us.

  • We’re aware funding is tight and labs that have historically offered 90% summer appointments may no longer be able to.

    • The union contract, however, explicitly allows higher appointments over the Summer Quarter, and Stanford’s central admin made clear that there were no rule changes in the pipeline for this year. Policy-wise higher appointments are allowed as always.

  • Hourly teaching and research work is still permitted for graduate workers. The union contract requires that “hourly employment shall not be a substitute for an Appointment” so as to ensure that all graduate workers receive benefits and protections in addition to pay. If you are being denied hourly work ‘because of the union contract’ please reach out to the union and if you feel comfortable gently correct the person.

As an additional reminder, if you’re moving off campus this summer, don’t forget to update your address and get your free CalTrain GoPass (sgwu.us/s/go). If you have any questions or difficulty with summer funding please do not hesitate to reach out. The 5 year guaranteed funding policy and appointment letters should ensure that everyone has sufficient, continuous funding and understands what is expected of them to receive it.

In Solidarity,

Orisa Coombs

President, Stanford Graduate Workers Union



2025-06-10: Union Social Tomorrow!

Union social tomorrow, 6pm! Come for pizza and good vibes.


Hey Grad Workers,

There will be a union social tomorrow between EVGR B and C at 6pm! We’ll have pizza, drinks, union merch, and good vibes! Come and celebrate the end of the quarter with some other grad workers!

Yours in Solidarity,

The Membership Building Committee



2025-06-06: Juneteenth GMM + Cardinal Care Changes + No Kings Day

Come to our General Membership Meeting (GMM) and Juneteenth party 6/19! At the GMM we'll discuss Stanford's healthcare changes, summarized in this email.


TL;DR

  • Next GMM on Thursday, 6/19 from 5-6pm in STLC (Sapp) 114, followed by a Juneteenth celebration

    • We will vote on affiliation with the South Bay and San Mateo labor councils

  • Stanford is changing Cardinal Care. See summary of changes and submit questions for SGWU to ask Stanford here

  • Nationwide No Kings Day on Saturday, 6/14 (Palo Alto, San Francisco rallies)

  • Know your contract! E.g. summer quarter appointments, Caltrain GoPass

-———–

Dear Graduate Workers,

Our next General Membership Meeting (GMM) will be Thursday June 19th from 5-6pm with food. RSVP for food + Zoom link. We’ll have a party afterwards to celebrate Juneteenth.

GMM Agenda:

  • Presentation from San Mateo Labor Council and South Bay Labor Council

  • Open questions and membership vote on affiliation with the two labor councils

    • Your Local Executive Board recommends YES on affiliation.

    • If we affiliate, other unionized workers in the area can refuse to cross our picket lines during our next contract negotiation. This was extremely helpful during our sibling unions’ contract fights

    • Affiliation gives us access to a large mutual aid and pro-worker activism network

    • A small portion of existing dues ($0.92 per member per month) will go to the labor councils to support our collective efforts. Your payment will not increase.

    • Read our FAQ and reach out if you have any questions: contact@sgwu.us

  • Membership vote to confirm new union stewards

  • Know your contract! New benefits are coming into effect.

  • Issues from the membership (Cardinal Care, protecting our international community, GSE contract misinformation, graduate housing mail fee)

Stanford is making changes to Cardinal Care. SGWU has summarized changes and plans to meet with Stanford administrators. Please submit your questions! Under our contract, graduate students with at least a 25% TA/RA appointment (or equivalent fellowship) will continue to receive a full subsidy for Cardinal Care.

Join SGWU in nationwideNo Kings Day protests on Saturday, 6/14! See links for Palo Alto and San Francisco rallies.

Know your contract! You should receive a letter with the details of your summer quarter appointment 14 days before the start of your appointment. If you move off campus, make sure you change your address and request your free Caltrain GoPass.

Finally, congratulations to everyone graduating! We wish you happiness and success in your future careers. If you want to keep hearing (infrequently) from SGWU after you graduate, join the sgwu-alumni mailing list with your non-Stanford email address.

In solidarity,

SGWU



2025-05-29: Rally tomorrow + free coffee next week for grad workers

Rally tomorrow, 12pm in White Plaza to defend education, research and international students!


TL;DR:

  • Rally with us tomorrow 5/30 from 12-1:30pm in White Plaza to defend education, research and international students

  • Fueling to the finish: free coffee, pastries and union T-shirts for graduate workers next Tues and Thurs @ White Plaza

  • Save the date for our next GMM, Juneteenth edition!

Dear Graduate Workers,

Happy week 9!

Join us for a rally tomorrow 5/30 from 12–2pm in White Plaza to stand up for education, research and international students (RSVP link). We encourage non-citizens to exercise caution if attending, or ask citizen friends to attend on their behalf.

We know the end of the quarter is a hectic time where workers are grading essays and problem sets, finishing lab work, and more. To support you, SGWU will have free coffee, pastries and T-shirts next Tuesday and Thursday at White Plaza (9:30am - 5pm on 6/3 and 6/5). This is a chance to chat about how our contract can support you in your workplace.

Finally, please mark your calendars for our next General Membership Meeting, to be held on 6/19 (location and time TBD).

In solidarity,

SGWU



2025-05-28: Union Social 5pm Today!

Come to our union social at 5pm for pizza and good vibes!


Hey Grad Workers,

Reminder that we’re having a union social today! Come to between EVGR B and C starting at 5pm for some pizza, drinks, union merch, and good union vibes!

Yours in Solidarity,

SGWU Membership Building Committee



2025-05-28: Free Coffee 6/3 and 6/5 - Fuel for the Finish

Free coffee at White Plaza on Tuesday, 6/3 and Thursday, 6/5!


Hi grad workers,

We all know the end of the quarter is a hectic time where workers are grading essays and problem sets, finishing lab work, and more. To support you all, organizers will be offering free coffee on White Plaza from 9:30am - 5pm on Tuesday, June 3rd and Thursday, Jun 5th. This will also be a chance to chat if you’ve been wondering about the contract and how it can support you in your workplace.

See you there!



2025-05-26: Open Letter + Rally to support international grad workers

SGWU has signed an Open Letter on the protection of Chinese scholars and all international community members. Rally with us and the Stanford AAUP Friday, May 30th in White Plaza to defend education and research.


TL;DR:

  • SGWU has signed an Open Letter on the protection of Chinese and all international members of our community. Read about the coverage in The Intercept!

  • Rally on Friday 5/30 from 12–1:30pm in White Plaza to defend education and research

  • Additional resources in email below

Dear Graduate Workers,

There is no reason to believe that recent actions taken by the federal administration against international students at Harvard will not happen here. SGWU is actively working to defend the rights of our international graduate workers, and we invite you to join us.

SGWU and 23 other graduate worker unions have signed the Academic Workers Letter on Protection of Chinese and All International Members of Our Campus Communities.

Stanford must refuse cooperation with federal agencies requesting information on academic workers without due legal process, especially Chinese faculty, postdocs, graduate, and undergraduates. We are also pushing Stanford to provide proactive financial and legal support for Stanford affiliates who are targeted, denied entry, and/or deported. You can read more via media coverage here or the original letter text below our email signature.

Rally with us on Friday, May 30th from 12–1:30pm in White Plaza to defend education and research. This event is sponsored by our local Stanford chapters of AAUP, ACLU, and Hands Off! Please RSVP for event updates.

We recognize this is an uncertain time for international graduate workers. Rest assured that our contract (Article 13: International Graduate Workers) protects your appointment in the event that you are unable to return to the United States or ineligible to work, and we will fight tooth and nail to protect your appointment.

For additional resources, please see

In solidarity,

SGWU

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Dear Executives and Trustees of our institutions,

The international members of our community are under threat, and with them the prospects for rich research collaboration and a diverse academic community. We look to you for leadership in ensuring the rights of our international peers and academic freedom are protected.

Our Chinese colleagues are one group at special risk. On March 19th, the chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) sent letters to several universities, requesting detailed information on Chinese faculty, graduate, and undergraduate students. The letters seek data on their enrollment, research involvement, and funding, portraying all Chinese academics as a national security threat and calling visa holders a “Trojan horse for Beijing.”

These letters are an escalation of Sinophobic sentiments that have been on the rise as a result of growing geopolitical tensions between the US and China. Under policies such as the China Initiative, which has investigated hundreds of Chinese scholars for alleged espionage, and Proclamation 10043’s visa restrictions on scholars affiliated with certain institutions in the PRC, Chinese academics have increasingly been harassed, interrogated, and denied entry to the US — including many in our communities.

Just days before the March 19th letters from the House Select Committee on the CCP, Congress introduced a bill to ban student visas for all Chinese nationals. By solely focusing restrictions on Chinese nationals in certain fields absent any evidence of wrongdoing, these policies stigmatize them and jeopardize their vital contributions to research and society.

Complying with these letters’ requests would not only contribute to demonizing Chinese nationals, but also set a dangerous precedent for victimizing any group arbitrarily labeled as a threat. At a time when the Trump administration is targeting international faculty, students, and academic workers, standing fast to strong principles of fairness, due process and academic freedom is more important than ever.

Our employers should not do Trump’s work for him.

As essential members of this institution, we cannot stay silent against attacks on international academics. Our university must resist efforts to target or profile members of our community by nationality. We, the undersigned, demand that the leadership of our institutions take the following actions:

  1. Refuse to provide any information on Chinese faculty, postdocs, graduate, and undergraduate students requested in the House Select Committee on the CCP’s letters. If the University is legally bound to comply, it should release a public statement denouncing governmental overreach and reaffirming the university’s commitment to academic freedom, inclusivity, and protecting all community members, regardless of national origin, race, or ethnicity.

  2. Reject any and all voluntary cooperation - to the extent that is legally permissible - with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), or any other federal agency requesting information on academic workers without due legal process.

  3. Establish formal mechanisms to provide institutional, financial and legal support for students, staff, and faculty who are targeted, denied entry, and/or deported, and take proactive measures to prevent such violations of privacy, due process, and civil liberties.

  4. If federal agencies request data on international campus students and workers, the University must notify affected individuals before disclosure and inform them of their rights. If individuals have previously shared data voluntarily (e.g., post-graduate employment records), they should be given the option to delete it within legal reason.

Endorsers:

  • Graduate Employees’ Organization at UIUC, GEO Local 6300 IFT/AFT

  • Harvard Graduate Student Union, HGSU-UAW Local 5118

  • MIT Graduate Student Union, UE Local 256 MIT GSU

  • Graduate Employees Together–University of Pennsylvania, GETUP-UAW

  • University of Maryland Graduate Labor Union, UMD Graduate Labor Union-UAW

  • Graduate Employee Organization at University of Massachusetts Amherst, GEO-UAW Local 2322

  • The Union of Academic Student Employees, Postdocs & Researchers at the University of California, UAW Local 4811

  • Graduate Workers Union at George Washington University, GWU2-SEIU Local 500

  • Graduate Student Workers Union at USC, GSWOC-UAW Local 872

  • The Union for Graduate Employees at New York University, NYU-GSOC-UAW Local 2110

  • The Union of Academic Student Employees, Postdocs & Researchers at the University of Washington, UAW Local 4121

  • USC-AAUP

  • University of Richmond AAUP

  • SEIU Local 500

  • Graduate Rights & Our Wellbeing (GROW) at Purdue University

  • Teachers and Researchers United at Johns Hopkins University, TRU-UE Local 197

  • Northwestern University Graduate Workers, NUGW-UE Local 1122

  • Stanford Graduate Workers Union, SGWU-UE Local 1043

  • Graduate Labor Organization at Brown University, GLO-AFT Local 6516

  • AAUP Purdue

  • UChicago AAUP

  • Teaching Assistants Association Executive Board, AFT Local 3220 (University of Wisconsin Madison)

  • Duke Graduate Students Union, SEIU Southern Region Local 32

  • Cornell University AAUP

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2025-05-26: Union Social Wednesday May 28th

Union social this Wednesday!


Hey Grad Workers,

We’re going to be bringing back the union socials over the summer, and the first one will be this week! Wednesday May 28th come to between EVGR B and C starting at 5pm for some pizza, drinks, union merch, and good vibes!

Yours in Solidarity,

SGWU Membership Building Committee



2025-05-14: GMM tonight @ 6pm in 420-040

General Membership Meeting Today 6PM!


Dear Graduate Workers,

Our next General Membership Meeting is at 6pm tonight in Building 420 Room 040, where we will vote on the annual budget. Constitutionally, we require a quorum of 40 people in attendance to conduct any business, so we encourage you all to attend.

Please RSVP here for food and/or the Zoom link.

In solidarity,

SGWU



2025-05-12: 5/14 GMM + budget feedback

We will be voting on the annual budget at our next General Membership Meeting at 6pm on Wednesday, May 14.


Dear Graduate Workers,

A reminder that we will be voting on the annual budget at our next General Membership Meeting at 6pm on Wednesday, May 14 in Building 420 Room 040. We welcome feedback ahead of the GMM to help us best allocate our ~$2.2M in annual dues money (see attached). Please RSVP here for food and/or the Zoom link.

Finally, we will continue holding ongoing elections for new union stewards. If you would like to stand up for your coworkers facing workplace issues, please sign up for a steward training.

In Solidarity,

SGWU

Estimated Annual Total_ $2.2 Million (1).png



2025-05-04: Annual budget feedback + 5/14 GMM

We are soliciting [feedback](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScJuuBLprk6Pxd36YEzz5hTzZhDGGfIZ1FAav_FZD0UK8iSmg/viewform) ([sgwu.us/s/budget](http://sgwu.us/s/budget)) for SGWU’s annual budget, which will be up for vote at the May 14 GMM.


TL;DR:

  • We are soliciting feedback (sgwu.us/s/budget) for SGWU’s annual budget

    • The Local Executive Board values your opinion on how to spend our $2.2M expected dues money

  • We will vote on the annual budget at our next GMM on 5/14 at 6pm

  • Please RSVP here (sgwu.us/s/gmm) for food and/or Zoom link

  • Submit a pic & quote (sgwu.us/s/pic-quote) to share about your work!

Dear Graduate Workers,

We’re looking forward to discussing and voting on our annual budget at our next General Membership Meeting at 6pm on Wednesday, May 14.

Please RSVP for the GMM here. A Zoom link will also be circulated shortly before the meeting for everyone who has RSVP’d.

As a preview for the GMM, the Local Executive Board will discuss how to spend our annual budget, estimated at $2.2M per year. You are highly encouraged to attend this meeting and/or submit feedback so your voice can be heard! We will also continue to hold elections for Union stewards and vacant Area Chief Steward seats. A reminder to attend a stewards training if you are interested in standing up for your coworkers and running to be a steward.

As always, if you are interested in getting involved, request to join our slack here or check out our website. We’re also running a pic & quote campaign to share about what you do and why it matters.

In solidarity,

SGWU



2025-05-01: May Day Demands!

We sent a list of demands to Stanford's administration amid ongoing attacks from the federal government. Also, join us at [May Day 2025 in San Francisco](https://www.mobilize.us/mobilize/event/774837/) for iternational worker's day!


Dear SGWU-UE Members,

In solidarity with graduate workers’ unions across the country, we sent a set of demands to Stanford’s administration to ensure that they remain committed to teaching, research, and support and protections for non-citizen workers amid ongoing attacks from the federal government. We are demanding that universities band together to create a Mutual Academic Defense Compact and establish an International Worker Support Fund to commit meaningful resources to the protection of higher education and non-citizen students and workers. Please find the contents of the letter here.

Today is May Day, also celebrated as International Workers’ Day. The modern May Day was born out of the struggle of workers for the 8-hour workday and better working conditions. This May Day, and especially in the face of federal funding cuts and attacks on non-citizen scholars, it is critical to demonstrate how Stanford works because we do! Join us at May Day 2025 in San Francisco and submit a photo and quote about why your work matters!

Solidarity,

SGWU-UE Local Executive Board



2025-05-01: May Day rallies in SF, White Plaza, San Jose and more

SF May Day 4-7pm at Civic Center + more rallies!


TL;DR: SF May Day 4-7pm at Civic Center + more rallies

Dear Stanford Graduate Workers,

Happy International Workers’ Day! Join SGWU in celebrating the labor movement by attending a May Day rally (see below) or submit to our Pic N’ Quote Campaign!

Follow our instagram @stanfordgwu.ue for more updates!

In solidarity,

SGWU



2025-04-25: MAY DAY Actions Next Week + Vote in ASSU elections

Stand up for our rights, immigration, and research funding at local May Day actions! Plus, our Local Executive Board recommendations for ASSU elections.


Summary:

  • Stand up for our rights, immigration, and research funding at local May Day actions! Carpools available; details below.
  • Submit to our Pic N’ Quote Campaign if you can’t make it out to any of the actions!
  • Vote in ASSU elections before Sunday, April 26th at 12:55 AM PDT. The SGWU Local Executive Board recommends Artie and Raina for ASSU President/VP and Rory O’Dwyer for GSC.

Graduate workers!

SGWU encourages all union members to vote for your student government representatives! ASSU elections are open now until Sunday, April 26th at 12:55 AM PDT. Your ballot was sent to your Stanford email with the subject “[UPDATED] 2025 ASSU Election Ballot Link.”

SGWU works closely with ASSU on issues that affect us, such as fighting the mail fee, car/tire theft in graduate housing, and improving Marguerite service around campus. Our Local Executive Board recommends Artie and Raina for ASSU President/VP and Rory O’Dwyer for GSC. 🗳️

Next week, join SGWU organizers and labor leaders at May Day 2025! May 1 is celebrated around the world as a day of international worker solidarity and protest. The modern May Day was born out of a wave of work stoppages and demonstrations in Haymarket Square, Chicago in 1886 as workers campaigned to win an 8-hour workday for all workers.

Join us at our in-person actions! ⚡️

  • Monday-Wednesday (April 28 - 30): Flyer campus and promote May Day actions.
    • To get flyers, email our Campus Chief Steward at steward@sgwu.us Thursday (May 1): Rally at the SF Civic Center, 4-7pm
    • Sign up here (link scrubbed) to carpool to SF with SGWU, postdocs, faculty, undergrads and labor organizers
    • Take the train with SGWU organizers! We will take the 2:54 PM northbound Caltrain from Palo Alto station and transfer to BART at Millbrae ($11.80 for Caltrain + BART tickets).
    • Don’t want to go to SF? Rally in San Jose (2:30-5:30 PM)
  • Saturday (May 3): More May Day protests are planned all over the Bay Area. Bring your friends!

If you can’t make it to an in-person action, you can still be heard on May Day!

In solidarity,

SGWU



2025-04-22: SGWU - How to Get Involved!

Learn about our three standing committees - Membership Building, Data and Tech, and Communications


Dear Graduate Workers,

After our GMM last Thursday, we have 3 officially ratified Standing Committees! Standing Committees are permanent working groups of members working toward a specific goal. Below are brief descriptions of the committees, when and where they meet, and who to contact if you have any questions about the committee.

These committees are a great way to get involved in the union! If you’re interested, come to a meeting, send us a message on Slack, or fill out our interest form (sgwu.us/s/committee).

Our union is stronger when we all work together!

  1. Membership Building Committee

Who to contact for questions: Liam Sherman

When/Where: Thursdays at 6pm in Green Earth Sciences 365 and on zoom (Food Provided!)

The Membership Building Committee replaced the Contract Action Team (CAT). It is the best place to start if you’re interested in organizing with the union or just helping out with one event, but don’t know where to start. The MBC works to expand membership and organize workers by organizing campaigns and events, planning walkthroughs and phonebanks, planning union socials, and more!

  1. Data and Technology Committee

Who to contact for questions: Emi Soroka

When/Where: Tuesdays 5:30pm starting April 29 in CoDA E203

The Data and Tech Committee oversees many of the technological aspects of union operation. This includes working on the website, working on the slack, and helping to manage union databases. If you’re interested in technology and want to use that interest to help the union, this is the committee for you!

  1. Communications Committee

Who to contact for questions: Emily Chen

When/Where: Asynchronous, see Slack channel for more details.

The Communications Committee is responsible for all internal and external communications on behalf of the union. We send out emails; design flyers, posters, social media posts; maintain our website and social media channels; liaise with local media, draft up Op-Eds; among other things. If you like writing or graphic design, please send me (Emily) a message on the SGWU Slack workspace or fill out our standing committee interest form!

Yours in Solidarity,

Liam Sherman

SGWU Vice President for Membership



2025-04-17: GMM in Building 420, Room 041 at 6pm tonight!

Reminder about the General Membership Meeting today, 6pm.


Dear Graduate Workers,

Join us at our General Membership Meeting (GMM) tonight. In-person location is in Building 420, Room 041 from 6–8pm tonight with free food. Please RSVP (sgwu.us/s/gmm) to receive a Zoom link and to make sure we get enough food!

All SGWU members are encouraged to attend this meeting to vote on the interim SGWU budget and confirm new union stewards. We’ll also discuss ongoing issues brought up by members such as international workers rights, mail fee, tire/car theft in graduate housing, and more. You can submit additional items to discuss using sgwu.us/s/gmm-issues.

You can vote over Zoom or in person if you signed an SGWU membership card. If you haven’t, you can sign now at sgwu.us/card.

In solidarity,

SGWU



2025-04-14: Re General Membership Meeting on April 17 + Call Your Reps event

Update on elections being held at the General Membership Meeting.


Dear graduate workers,

To clarify, we are holding elections for Area Chief Stewards, Assistant Area Chief Stewards, and rank-and-file union stewards during our GMM. We encourage you to attend and vote for stewards who will take on leadership roles in your area. To run for a steward role, you must attend a steward training session and meet with your Area Chief Steward / the Campus Chief Steward. More details here (sgwu.us/s/steward-training)

We will also be voting on the SGWU budget at the GMM, among other things. Please RSVP to attend the GMM on April 17 (this Thursday) at 6pm in Building 420 Room 041. A remote option will be available via RSVP.

In Solidarity,

SGWU



2025-04-14: General Membership Meeting on April 17 + Call Your Reps event

General Membership Meeting on April 17th from 6–8pm. Plus, learn to call your representatives in White Plaza, April 17th, 12-3pm.


TL;DR:

  • General Membership Meeting on April 17th from 6–8pm w/ free food.

    • We will be voting on the budget and new union stewards

    • Location is in Building 420 Room 041 + Zoom. Please RSVP here.

  • Learn to call your representatives in White Plaza, April 17th, 12-3pm. Free food!

Dear Graduate Workers,

We have two big events coming up on April 17th!

General Membership Meeting

April 17 6–8pm

Building 420 Room 041 + Zoom

Join us in-person for free food including vegetarian, gluten-free and kosher for Passover choices. Please RSVP (sgwu.us/s/gmm) to receive a Zoom link and to make sure we get enough food!

All SGWU members are encouraged to attend this meeting to vote on the SGWU budget, confirmation of new union stewards, and endorsements for the ASSU elections. We’ll also discuss ongoing issues brought up by members such as the mail fee, tire/car theft in graduate housing, and more. You can submit additional items to discuss using sgwu.us/s/gmm-issues.

You can vote over Zoom or in person if you signed an SGWU membership card. If you haven’t, you can sign now at sgwu.us/card.

Learn to call your representatives!

April 17 12–3pm (stop by anytime)

White Plaza

Worried about research funding, immigration rights, healthcare, or anything else? Calling your elected representatives works – but it can be intimidating. How do you find their numbers? Who picks up the phone? What do you say? Gain the confidence to make these calls with SGWU! We’ll teach you to use the 5calls app and find a script for your call. We will also have free food including vegetarian, gluten-free and kosher for Passover choices.

Finally, we’re sharing White Plaza with the Dissent Fair from 12-2 so if you’re looking to connect with campus and local activism, stop by!

In solidarity,

SGWU



2025-04-08: TODAY at 2 PM - Take Action to Fight Funding Cuts and Protect Our International Students and Workers!

Join your coworkers and friends at the [Day of Action](http://sgwu.us/s/kill-the-cuts) for education & research funding and to protect our international scholars TODAY, April 8th at 2 pm in White Plaza


Dear Graduate Workers,

Right now, the federal government is attacking students and workers by cutting funds to lifesaving research and medical care. These funding cuts threaten our job security, research, Stanford, and our community members as a whole. At the same time, the Trump administration is abducting higher ed workers like Mahmoud Khalil and Rumeysa Ozturk, revoking the student visas of Stanford students and putting them at risk of deportation, and attacking freedom of speech and academic freedom on our campuses.

TODAY, April 8th at 2 pm at White Plaza, academic workers and union leaders from Stanford and the community are joining the Kill the Cuts national day of action to stand up and demand NO cuts to education and life-saving research and YES to protecting international scholars. Take a second to RSVP sgwu.us/s/kill-the-cuts!

We are excited for folks from every area and department to help protect research and education funding and our international students and workers. Hope to see you this afternoon!

In solidarity,

SGWU



2025-04-05: Statement Release - SGWU Stands with Our International Scholars

Please find our statement below regarding the ICE presence reported yesterday and the developing news of the revocation of student visas.


Dear Graduate Workers,

Please find our statement below regarding the ICE presence reported yesterday and the developing news of the revocation of student visas:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE ICE Presence Reported and Visas Revoked At approximately 4:00 PM on Friday, April 4, reports were circulated to the Stanford Graduate Workers Union (SGWU) Local Executive Board along with many of you of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) presence on campus. The Santa Clara Rapid Response Network could not confirm any ICE activity at this time.

However, we are learning that four Stanford University students and two recent graduates have had their student visas revoked by federal authorities. Attacks against the international scholar community are not a potentiality, but imminent reality. Students and graduate workers across the country have had their visas revoked, been expelled, and been abducted for the “crimes” of expressing their constitutional rights of free speech, press, and assembly.

We recognize the terror, sorrow, and anger our community may be feeling. No Stanford student, graduate worker, instructor, staff, or community member should be made to fear for their life or livelihood, nor should we have to fear whether or not our coworkers will be abducted unknowingly by ICE.

At their core, these tactics are a shock and awe tactic to try to silence us, aiming to paralyze any momentum into inaction. As graduate student workers and members of the broader labor movement, we must take bold action to oppose the attacks on our constitutional rights to free speech and protest as well as the slashes to our funding that stifle academic freedom and progress.

Sustained, mass mobilization efforts are needed to support those threatened by ICE, and moreover to safeguard our community at-large. This is a moment for graduate student workers to fight shoulder-to-shoulder with our international graduate workers. Unions are our first line of defense to safeguard our rights as workers – join us!

###

Resources

Below are updated resources from the 3/29/25 SGWU email around ICE and international students:

In solidarity,

SGWU



2025-03-29: What to do if your visa is at risk + seeking allies for international students

SGWU condemns the State Department’s cancelling of student visas and shares resources on immigrants' rights.


SGWU condemns the State Department’s cancelling of student visas. This is an attack on free speech.

Dear Graduate Workers,

This morning, we received reports that hundreds of international students across the US received emails from the Department of State cancelling their student visas and urging them to self-deport after accusations of sharing activist content on their social media. SGWU condemns this action in the strongest possible terms and stands ready to defend international students and workers at Stanford. We are establishing a pool of volunteers with US citizenship to provide on-the-ground support for international students at risk - sign up here(sgwu.us/s/steward).

If you received the visa cancellation email, or think you may be in danger, we urge you to proactively contact the ACLU of Northern California here. If you are a current Stanford student, you can request a consultation/referral to legal service providers from the law school’s Immigrants’ Rights Clinic. The San Mateo County Bar Association can refer you to an attorney and the Immigration Institute of the Bay Area provides legal consultations.

For those who are travelling over spring break: if you are referred to secondary inspection while entering the US or refused boarding for a US bound flight, immediately follow the steps on immigration.stanford.edu/emergency-contact.

Additionally, SGWU can support you in practical matters such as talking to your advisor and department or finding a buddy to check in with you. You can reach us at contact@sgwu.us or use our anonymous comment form to share alternate contact information such as a Signal phone number.

Be prepared

Our contract and our community protections

Article 13: International Graduate Workers of our contract protects your appointment in the event that you are unable to return to the United States or ineligible to work. Further, under Section E:

The University affirms its commitment to supporting all Graduate Workers, regardless of their immigration status, to the extent permitted by law. The University shall not release information regarding Graduate Worker immigration status to the Department of Homeland Security unless legally required to do so.

Additionally, our rank-and-file members have written a letter to Stanford leadership urging Stanford to protect the information and employment of international graduate students, honor our funding guarantees and the Weiland Health Initiative for LGBTQ workers, and stand up for academic freedom. If this is important to you, please sign the letter here (sgwu.us/s/letter).

In solidarity,

SGWU



2025-03-27: Letter to Stanford leadership, rally against research funding cuts, next GMM

Sign a letter urging Stanford leadership to protect graduate students and academic freedom. Rally against funding cuts to healthcare, research and education on Tuesday 4/8.


TL;DR:

  • Sign a letter urging Stanford leadership to protect graduate students and academic freedom.
  • Rally against funding cuts to healthcare, research and education on Tuesday 4/8. Please RSVP here.
  • Keep signing our petition against the mail fee, aka Stanford’s sneaky rent increase.
  • Our next GMM is Thursday 4/17 at 6pm. Submit issues to bring up here and scroll below for the agenda.

Dear Graduate Workers,

This is not an easy time to be a graduate worker. SGWU is actively organizing against recent funding cuts and attacks on higher education.

Our rank-and-file members have written a letter to Stanford leadership, urging Stanford to protect the information and employment of international graduate students, honor our funding guarantees and the Weiland Health Initiative for LGBTQ workers, and stand up for academic freedom. If this is important to you, please sign the letter here (sgwu.us/s/letter). This letter will be delivered privately — we will not publicly release the names of signatories to protect your information.

SGWU will join the national day of action, Kill the Cuts, on April 8th against funding cuts to healthcare, research and education. The rally, will feature speakers from labor organizers, students, researchers, and patient advocates. Please RSVP here (sgwu.us/s/kill-the-cuts) so we can keep you updated as details for the rally are confirmed.

Finally, our next General Membership Meeting is on April 17th. The meeting agenda is below, and as always, you can submit issues to discuss at the meeting.

In solidarity,

SGWU

———————————————————

4/17 General Membership Meeting Agenda

  • Ratification of Standing Committees (Communications, Data and Tech, Membership Building)
  • Election of Area Chief Stewards for vacant seats
  • Steward and Assistant Area Chief Steward election procedures
  • Membership vote on joining UE Conference Board for labor organizing in higher education
  • Ongoing discussion for the anti mail fee campaign



2025-03-16: Immigration Resources for International Graduate Workers

SGWU is pulling resources together in response to the federal [registration](https://www.uscis.gov/alienregistration) requirement and possible [travel bans](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/14/us/politics/trump-travel-ban.html) and student [visa revocations](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/rubio-says-us-revoke-more-student-visas-coming-days-2025-03-14/)


TL;DR:

Dear Graduate Workers,

SGWU is actively working on resources for international graduate workers in light of the newly announced registration requirement, proposed travel bans and possible student visa revocations by the Trump administration.

  • Stanford Law School Immigrants’ Rights Clinic will offer an information session for Stanford community members on Tuesday, March 18 from 3-4pm. Please register here.
  • Article 13: International Graduate Workers of our contract protects your appointment in the event that you are unable to return to the United States or ineligible to work. Further, under Section E:
    • The University affirms its commitment to supporting all Graduate Workers, regardless of their immigration status, to the extent permitted by law. The University shall not release information regarding Graduate Worker immigration status to the Department of Homeland Security unless legally required to do so.
    • Know-your-rights guides are available from the ACLU and the Stanford Immigrants’ Rights Clinic
    • A collection of Stanford, local and national legal resources are available at this link.
    • Stanford’s immigration landing page can point you to official Stanford resources
    • Stanford has not yet declared itself a sanctuary campus, but SGWU is actively organizing for Stanford to do so.

We recognize that this is not an easy time for international graduate workers. No matter what, SGWU has your back. Please do not hesitate to reach out to contact at sgwu.us with any concerns or additional helpful resources that we can share with our campus community.

In solidarity, SGWU



2025-03-12: Fight the Mail Fee! Meeting TODAY 6PM w/ Free Pizza, Social Afterward

Please [RSVP](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSe89Cxi0zhjchHFNyf_u3DAVkUPbPUnOmnXxGnqgauyefnbmg/viewform) to the General Membership Meeting (GMM) today, 6pm. Pizza will be served, including vegan and gluten-free choices. We will also have SGWU stickers and T-shirts!


TL;DR:

  • Please RSVP to the General Membership Meeting (GMM) today, 6pm. Pizza will be served, including vegan and gluten-free choices. We will also have SGWU stickers and T-shirts!
  • Sign our petition against R&DE’s new mail fee and come to the GMM to help us plan our fight against it.
  • Catch us at Ray’s Grill after the GMM for a union social!

Dear Graduate Workers,

Over 450 of you have signed our petition against R&DE’s new mail fee! But we all know from bargaining that a petition won’t be enough to move Stanford. We’ll be planning our fight against this fee at the General Membership Meeting today and you are all invited!

When/where: 6pm March 12 in EVGR-C Theatre (room 134) and on Zoom (you must RSVP to receive the Zoom link).

Agenda:

  1. Pizza! Including vegan and gluten-free choices. Please RSVP so we get enough. We will also have SGWU T-shirts for pickup ($10 each) and stickers (free).
  2. Swear in your new Local Executive Board and Trustees
  3. Call for members to join the Communications, Data and Tech, and Membership Building committees.
  4. Plan our fight against Stanford’s new mail fee (a rent increase in disguise).
  5. Other topics of interest to our membership.
  6. Social at Ray’s Grill (expect us around 7pm, look for SGWU T-shirts)

In solidarity, SGWU



2025-03-11: SGWU Stands With Free Speech

Protest today, March 11 against the illegal arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate student at Columbia University.


Graduate workers,

Last weekend, ICE agents arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian graduate student at Columbia University at the time of the Palestine Solidarity Encampments last year, who had played a prominent role in the protests. Authorities have reportedly revoked his green card and are attempting to deport him.

Mahmoud has committed no crime other than exercising his free speech. This arrest is completely illegal and sets a precedent which poses a grave danger to the safety and security of all graduate workers across the country, and our fundamental rights. We stand in solidarity with those calling for his release, and demand Stanford refuse to cooperate with attempts by federal authorities to illegally and criminally arrest any members of our campus community for exercising their first amendment rights.

Today at 2:00 pm there is a protest at White Plaza. We urge you all to participate to send a strong message against such forms of repression. We highly recommend you attend this protest with a mask, especially if you are an international student.

In solidarity,

SGWU Interim Grievance Committee & Local Executive Board-Elect



2025-03-10: Join us at 3/12 GMM + Say no to Stanford’s new mail fee

Stanford’s new mail fee is effectively a rent increase. [Sign our petition](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScOVZnwKDmT1ATTJpAejiNaOopr5QmnxhKwye53QGCUSNluVQ/viewform) against the new mail fee now! We will discuss the new mail fee and swear in our new local executive board at the next GMM at 6pm, Wed 3/12, in EVGR-C Theatre (Room 134)


TL;DR:

  • Stanford’s new mail fee is effectively a rent increase. Sign our petition against the new mail fee now!
  • We will discuss the new mail fee and swear in our new local executive board at the next GMM at 6pm, Wed 3/12, in EVGR-C Theatre (Room 134)
  • Please RSVP here. Pizza will be served + social to follow!

Dear Graduate Workers,

Congratulations on electing your new local executive board!

We’re looking forward to swearing in our new leaders at our next General Membership Meeting at 6pm on Wednesday, March 12 in EVGR-C Theatre (Room 134). Pizza will be served, with a happy hour at Ray’s Grill to follow :)

Please RSVP for the GMM here. A Zoom link will also be circulated shortly before the meeting for everyone who has RSVP’d.

As a preview for the GMM, the new Local Executive board will discuss setting up new Standing Committees (e.g. Communications, Data and Tech, Membership Building) to run the day-to-day operations of our union. If you’re interested in getting involved, you can request to join our slack here and come to the GMM to learn more about these committees.

Finally, we think that Stanford’s new mail fee for graduate workers that live on campus is just a de facto rent increase. Sign our petition against the new mail fee here and come to the GMM to discuss further actions we can take against this fee.

In solidarity, SGWU



2025-03-05: Stand Up for Science Carpools; Signmaking Today; Election and GMM Reminder

This week's events include the SGWU Board and Trustees Elections, the Stand Up for Science rally on Friday 3/7 and the General Membership Meeting on Wednesday 3/12.


This week’s events

  • TODAY, 3/5: Stand Up for Science Sign-making party: 6-7:30PM in the Graduate Community Center
  • Thursday 3/6: SGWU Exec Board and Trustees Elections close at 11:59 PM PT
  • Friday 3/7: Stand Up for Science Rally! Come to San Francisco, Sacramento or (new!) Palo Alto. We’re organizing FREE TRANSIT to SF and Sacramento: sign up here before Thursday 5pm!
  • Wednesday 3/12: General Membership Meeting 6-7pm - our newly elected leadership will be sworn in here! Please RSVP

Graduate workers!

We have a busy week, so let’s get to it.

Todaywe will have a sign-making party for the Stand Up for Science rally on Friday. We’ll supply snacks and all the materials. If you’re on the fence about attending Stand Up for Science, you’re welcome to stop by and talk to our organizers!

Elections for our new Executive Board and Trustees close Thursday 11:59PM PT.If you signed a union card by March 1st, you can vote! Look for ballots from OpaVote in your inbox.

Stand Up for Science is this Friday! This is a nationwide rally in support of the federal research funding that makes our work possible. Even if your department doesn’t rely on federal funding directly, much of Stanford’s infrastructure is supported by these grants. Federal research funding affects us all. Join grads, undergrads, postdocs and faculty to defend it!

Transportation costs (gas and parking) for travel to SF or Sacramento are being sponsored by Stanford Biotech Group and Stanford Students in Biodesign- sign up at tinyurl.com/stanford-science-carpool for FREE transit.

Stand Up for Science locations:

Sacramento, CA, Capitol Mall - West Side

Friday, March 7th. 12pm - 4pm PST

Sacramento official sign up here (not required)

San Francisco CA, Civic Center

Friday, March 7th. 1pm-3pm PST

SF official sign up here (not required)

Palo Alto CA, Lytton Plaza

Friday, March 7th. 12-2pm PST

This is a smaller, unofficial rally for people who can’t make it to Sacramento or SF

Finally, next Wednesday 3/12 we will have a General Membership Meeting at 6PM in EVGR C 134 to swear in our newly-elected Executive Board and Trustees. Please RSVP to help us plan the meeting!

We hope to see you at some (or all) of these events!

In solidarity,

Your Contract Action Team and Interim Grievance Committee



2025-03-02: Election Town Hall Tomorrow

Our election begins tomorrow (Monday) March 3! Meet the candidates at the town hall tomorrow, 4pm via Zoom.


Dear graduate workers,

We hope this email finds you well! This is a reminder that our election begins tomorrow (Monday). An OpaVote ballot will be sent to all members of the union on March 1st.

Our town hall will be tomorrow (Monday) at 4PM via Zoom. You’ll be able to hear from candidates and ask them questions.

We will send the Zoom link, along with the candidates’ statements, tomorrow morning to members of the union. Become a member by signing a card at sgwu.us/card to attend the town hall.

Best, SGWU Election Committee (Chris, Parth, Amanpreet)