Land acknowledgment

Oregon State University is a land-grab institution established by the Morrill Act of 1863, which authorized the genocidal theft of nearly 11 million acres of land from more than 250 sovereign nations. Oregon State University’s endowment was raised in 1868 by selling 90,000 acres of stolen land from which the Klamath, Coos, Lower Umpqua, Siuslaw and Coquille people were violently removed. “As the historical and financial records show, land-grant universities would not have been possible without the violent and genocidal removal of Indigenous Peoples from their lands” -T. Ambo et al, 2022.

Oregon State University in Corvallis, OR is located within the traditional homelands of the Mary’s River or Ampinefu Band of Kalapuya. Following the Willamette Valley Treaty of 1855 (Kalapuya etc. Treaty), Kalapuya people were forcibly removed to reservations in Western Oregon. Today, living descendants of these people are a part of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Community of Oregon and the Confederated Tribes of the Siletz Indians.

Become a CGE Member Today!

Join your union to support grad workers across OSU and fight for better working conditions for us all!

COALITION OF GRADUATE EMPLOYEES, AFT 6069

CGE is a labor union representing 1,700+ Graduate Employees at Oregon State University, organized and governed by-and-for Graduate Employees. CGE fights collectively for fair employment, safe working conditions, equitable treatment, robust healthcare, quality education, and living wages. If you’re a grad student at OSU, CGE is here for you!

Issues at work?

Having any issues at work? Contacting your steward is always a good first step. They can let you know your options if you want to address the issue, from just listening to helping you file a grievance (legal action when your contract may have been violated). Even if they don’t know your options, they know how to connect you to folks who will. If you’re worried that you are being asked to work more hours than you’re being paid for, you should also start tracking your hours. You can also always email solidarity@cge6069.org with any questions, and it will get sent to every member of the executive council plus staff.

Stewards are CGE's boots on the ground in most departments, and are a good first step to talk to about your issues and potential next steps.
Contact your steward
File a grievance here if your contractual protections may have been (or definitely were) violated.
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Graduate student workers are often expected to work much more than they're paid for. Keep track of your hours regularly!
Hour tracker

Who and what is our union?

Our union is made up of all of our members, who are the highest governing bodies. They elect stewards, who oversee the executive council, who supervises staff. Together, we represent each other, organize around common problems, bargain for a better contract every cycle, and legally protect the rights given in that contract. Check out the following handbooks for your rights as an employee and as a member of CGE, and the stewards and executive council pages to learn about leadership.

Are you a new graduate student worker at OSU? Read through this handbook to know all of your rights at work!
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Just joined CGE? Check out this handbook to learn more about what it means to be a member!
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See who your department stewards are and contact them.
Contact your steward
The Executive Council and staff run day to day union operations, and are overseen by the steward council, which is overseen by general membership. They are always happy to help if you have any issues or want to learn about any resources or how to get more involved!
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Get involved!

Want to get more involved in your union? Sign up to be a steward for your department, join a caucus or committee, or come to a CGE event and see what we’re all about!

Our first line of defense, and your advocates in the workplace!
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Check out upcoming events and meetings here!
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Interested in disability justice? Housing? International issues? Working parents? Join a CGE caucus to collaborate with others!
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Committees are low time commitment and help make sure CGE runs and gets representation on important OSU committees, like for transportation or health insurance.
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General resources

Having some financial problems? Apply to the OSU hardship fund (any grad student can apply for up to $2000 on a rolling basis throughout the year, but it only covers unexpected expenses that affect academic or work progress) or the CGE hardship fund (only CGE members can apply, and it’s open one week a term, and we don’t have as much money, but we give money to as many applicants as possible). Read about how to get reimbursements for SEVIS/VISA or DACA fees. And check out the general resources page for more financial, health, and other miscellaneous resources.

Are you experiencing unexpected financial hardship? Apply to the OSU hardship fund first, since they have a bigger pool of money, and you can apply any time! Want some help with your application? Post to the discord, or email solidarity@cge6069.org.
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Are you experiencing unexpected financial hardship? Consider applying for CGE's Hardship Fund
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A Quick Guide to Receiving Your Reimbursement
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Check out resources related to health, funding, etc. Looking for resources on something that's not there? Email vp_communications@cge6069.org to ask for it!
Hour tracker

Stay connected

Stay connected with what CGE is up to by joining the discord, following us on social media, or signing up for our newsletter!

Join the discord to learn what CGE is up to, ask questions, and find community! You don't have to be a member to join, but members do have access to some channels that non-members do not.
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CGE Facebook page with events and important announcements.
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Sign up for our weekly newsletter to stay up to date on CGE events, bargaining, resources, cute pets, and more!
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CGE Instagram account for resources, local events, and CGE events.
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Follow us on X for live bargaining updates and to keep up to date with other unions.
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