the galowl Graduates, Adjuncts and Lecturers:
Organized Labor
the Graduate Employee Union for the University of Maryland
affiliated with the American Federation of Teachers 		7100 Baltimore Ave.
suite 302
College Park, MD 20740
301.277.9394 fax:301.277.3548

Tuition Remission for Graduate Employees Threatened by State Assembly

Here is the complete rundown on the issue, and timeline of GALOL's response.
Tuesday, Feb 11, 2003 We had been hearing for some time that Staff and Faculty members could lose their tuition remission benefits, but the was the first time we heard that our tuition remission might also be on the table. Read the email.
Wednesday, Feb 12 GALOL talked to Senator Pinsky, Senator Giannetti, Delegate Gaines, and Delegate Healy to confirm that "everthing, including tuition remission for grads, is on the table", and started mobilizing for a demonstration & lobbying session in Annapolis on Feb 17th.
Friday, Feb 14 GALOL leaders met with AFT-MD's lobbyists in Annapolis to devise a strategy for the 17th. A letter "Protect Graduate Employees at the University of Maryland" was crafted and made available for editing and sending to individuals' legislators. GALOL Stewards' Council decided to hold a rally on campus before heading out to Annapolis, so that more graduate employees could make their voices heard.
Saturday & Sunday, Feb 15 & 16 GALOL organizers visited residents of graduate housing to raise awareness about the threat and invite them to join us in Annapolis. After 5 days of organizing, 120 people had committed to coming, but the snowstorm forced us to postpone the demonstration and lobbying trip to Feb 24th.
Wednesday, Feb 19 GALOL learned that the Department of Legislative Services had suggested tuition remission cuts as a source of substantial savings.
Saturday & Sunday, Feb 22 & 23 GALOL organizers continued to visit folks in graduate housing to inform them about the issue and the new date for action in Annapolis. For more information about house visits, contact Cathy Jones.
Monday, Feb 24 GALOL held a rally on campus and in Annapolis. Graduate employees spoke with and delivered letters to over twenty members of the State Assembly. We learned that the Appropriations committee, not Ways and Means, is the relevant committee in the House; in the Senate, the Budget & Tax committee will deal with cuts to tuition remission.
Wednesday, Feb 26 Ed Martini met with Dean O'Connor and Associate Deans Davis and Hodos. Read Ed's report from that meeting.
Friday, Feb 28 Responding to GALOL's letter, Senator Ida G. Ruben confirmed that "everything is 'on the table'". The stewards' council decided to form a Legislative Team to continue lobbying efforts in Annapolis throught the rest of the legislative session. Contact Hellmut Lotz to get involved.