Guided by social justice principles, we demonstrate our tremendous respect and appreciation for graduate assistants by offering them a transformative education in the Jesuit, Catholic tradition, an exceptional overall student experience, and competitive financial aid, learning, and development support and resources.
Loyola For You
Loyola's commitment to graduate assistants
LIVING UP TO OUR COMMITMENT
Inspired by our commitment to live our social justice values and provide an exceptional student experience, Loyola offers its graduate assistants a competitive package of services and financial aid and learning development resources.
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OUR POSITION ON GRADUATE ASSISTANT UNIONIZATION
We believe graduate students who are engaged in teaching and research as part of their academic program are fundamentally students and therefore do not qualify as “employees” within the meaning of the National Labor Relations Act.
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OUR PHILOSOPHY ON THE ROLE OF GRADUATE ASSISTANTS
Our mission to serve graduate assistants is guided by our belief that they are students. Graduate assistants pursue academia in the context of Loyola’s distinct mission and values.
LEARN MOREENHANCEMENTS FOR GRADUATE ASSISTANTS
Loyola is committed to offering graduate assistants a competitive package of services. To that end, the University has made a number of recent enhance
- Stipend increases; standardized stipends
- Enhanced awards for approved conference travel and research
- Eliminated the restriction on off-campus employment*
- Updated job descriptions for all graduate assistants, including common expectations for graduate assistants in teaching or research roles
- Added dental and vision coverage to the student health plan
Frequently Asked Questions
WHAT ARE THE STIPEND INCREASES FOR GRADUATE ASSISTANTS?
Effective in fall 2021, PhD students in a University-funded full research or teaching assistantship will receive a stipend of $28,000 over 9 months, with a prorated adjustment for those in less than a full assistantship. Master’s students in a University-funded full research or teaching assistantship will receive a base stipend of $18,000 over 9 months (with a prorated adjustment for those in less than full assistantships) with an additional stipend increase of $500 for each year of service. We believe these levels of support are competitive with comparable institutions. With the implementation of these enhancements, Loyola spent an additional $1.72 million dollars on stipends in 2021-2022.
WILL STIPENDS BE INCREASED ANNUALLY?
We are committed to regularly undertaking market-based reviews to ensure that stipends and our other academic-based awards for graduate assistants are in keeping with our social justice values.
WHY HAS LOYOLA REFUSED TO BARGAIN WITH THE GRADUATE ASSISTANTS?
We believe graduate students who are engaged in teaching and research as part of their academic program are fundamentally students and, therefore, do not qualify as “employees” within the meaning of the National Labor Relations Act. Their primary role is academic. Graduate assistants are neither hired nor employed by the University. Rather, they are selected as students on the basis of their academic achievements. Their acceptance into our graduate programs and the degree awarded to them at the end of their graduate education are based on academic standards and not on labor or employment standards. Consistent with our position, which is shared broadly within the higher education community, we are challenging graduate assistants’ eligibility for representation. Click here for more details about our philosophy on the role of graduate assistants.