At the start of the spring semester, the Graduate Education Task Force released its report that provided key recommendations for improving the graduate student experience at UT Austin. The Graduate School has been working with offices across campus to develop plans to implement the recommendations, which include improving graduate student compensation, health care and other resources. Below are updates and links to further information.
Of the many issues the task force examined, the shortfall of the TRB was among the most pressing for graduate students. In response, the university has raised the TRB amount to cover the full cost of tuition for students taking nine semester credit hours and employed as teaching assistants (TAs) and assistant instructors (AIs) with appointments of 20 hours per week or more.
While the task force conducted its work, the university provided TRB supplements to cover the shortfall of the TRB. Going forward, most registered students appointed in 20-hour academic employee positions will be credited with the full amount on their tuition bills. Students with appointments of fewer than 20 hours per week will be credited a prorated amount.
University leadership is committed to ensuring that the TRB amount aligns with any future adjustments in tuition, so that the TRB covers the full cost of tuition.
Since the release of the task force report, the Graduate School has been working with units across campus to implement its recommendations. To help students, faculty and staff members keep track of the progress and remaining steps, the Graduate School has launched the Graduate Education Transformation Tracker website.
On the site, you can find updates on the status, remaining steps and target completion date of each recommendation provided in the task force report.
Significant progress has been made across many areas, including tuition, career resources and mental health. Significant work is underway in other key areas, including improving student health care plans and ensuring graduate stipends across campus are competitive and support student success.
The consulting firm Huron is helping to obtain and analyze accurate data and working with the Graduate School to finalize an implementation plan to guide these efforts. The implementation plan will be shared with colleges and schools near the beginning of the fall semester.
Addressing the issues identified by the task force requires students, faculty and offices across campus to work together to develop solutions. I am committed to working together to develop solutions that enhance our graduate programs and enable our students to succeed during their time at the university and beyond.
Sincerely,
