Bill > S08383

This bill provides for a series of financial adjustments and support programs for graduate students working at the State University of New York (SUNY). Specifically, the bill increases stipends for graduate student employees in the state university graduate student negotiating unit by 3% annually for three consecutive academic years (2023-2024, 2024-2025, and 2025-2026), with minimum annual stipends rising from $11,102 in 2023-2024 to $18,000 for university center and health science center employees by July 1, 2026. The bill also continues several supportive funds and programs, including a doctoral program recruitment and retention enhancement fund, a comprehensive college graduate program recruitment and retention fund, a fee mitigation fund, and a downstate location fund. Additionally, it maintains work-life services, pre-tax programs, a joint labor management advisory board, a professional development committee, and an accidental death benefit of $50,000 for graduate student employees who die from on-the-job injuries. The bill ensures that these stipend increases and benefits will only be implemented after a collective negotiating agreement is ratified, and provides funding mechanisms to support these changes, with appropriations totaling $9,700,000 to cover the various programs and stipend increases. The bill is retroactive, taking effect immediately but deemed to be in full force from July 2, 2023.

Budget and Finance

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/S8383