Dear graduate students,
We are writing to share an important update regarding graduate student representation at Vanderbilt. On Dec. 12, a federal judge in the Middle District of Tennessee found that there is “substantial” conflict between the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act and the regulations of the National Labor Relations Board, and that our students’ privacy rights should not be “set aside.” The judge ordered that the NLRB cannot proceed with an election process without a FERPA-compliant process that protects graduate students’ privacy rights.
On the same day, Vanderbilt Graduate Workers United-International Union, United Auto Workers notified the National Labor Relations Board that it wanted to withdraw its petition to represent graduate students in collective bargaining and its related demand for recognition.
The union’s decision to withdraw its petition and demand provides a path for us to move forward together. Vanderbilt’s leadership remains deeply committed to listening to your feedback and enhancing your experience as a vital part of our academic community. Your voices are integral to ensuring that all graduate students thrive at Vanderbilt.
We look forward to continuing to collaborate with the Graduate Student Council, which serves as an effective advocate for your interests. We value our relationship with the GSC and encourage you to get involved.
As we approach the end of the semester, I want to acknowledge and applaud your dedication to your studies and research. I wish each of you a restful and restorative holiday season and look forward to seeing all that we will accomplish together in the coming year.
Warm regards,
C. Cybele Raver
Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
C. André Christie Mizell
Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of the Graduate School
