Our Platform

• A raise in all PhD stipends across the University. The precise amount ought to be considered in light of the following: the current rate of inflation, the minimum standard of living in Chicago according to MIT and other reputable research institutes, as well as comparing it to other Universities with a similar endowment.

• Allow for the distribution of contraception on campus.

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• A substantial raise in adjunct and part-time faculty pay. The average adjunct makes approximately $22,000 a year teaching four courses. DePaul should be ashamed of itself–it obviously does not care about the education of its students. It is simply impossible to have adjuncts teach four courses with high standards while also working a secondary job.

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• A completely independent process for sexual harassment and discrimination complaints. Similar to what Northwestern’s graduate union achieved, we believe DePaul, like any institution, can not investigate, regulate, and discipline itself. If we are to even begin to deal with the problem of sexual harassment on campus, particularly by faculty and administrators, the investigative process must be financially independent of DePaul.

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• Transparency with investments. DePaul spends a great deal of time concealing its investment portfolio. This needs to change. We need to see what DePaul spends our tuition money on. We have a right to know what DePaul is involved with and to be sure that DePaul divest from any and all companies associated with Israel and its occupation of Palestine.

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• A path to long-term employment for adjuncts, like Loyola offers. There must be some job security for adjuncts that teach here long term. For instance, we propose that if an adjunct works here for three consecutive quarters then they deserve to be considered for long term employment, not kept in a state of constant instability.

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• Free healthcare, including dental and vision, for all PhD students. Just like Loyola, Northwestern, and UChicago provide.

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• Fill and empower the Ombudsman office to address disability-related issues. Allow students to access all of the Ombudsman services.

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• Increasing the amount of graduate assistantships for MA and PhD students. Currently, there are 204 GA’s in the entire university! This is shameful, especially considering that DePaul lures many graduate students here in the hopes of attaining a GAship.

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• Increase funding for mental health services for undergraduate and graduate students.

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• Provide training to faculty members on how to support students with disabilities. Professors are not given the proper resources to assist their students.