Message From Provost Gretchen Ritter

Dear Students, Faculty and Staff:

I am writing today as a follow-up to the message you received last week regarding the election agreement made between the University, Syracuse Graduate Employees United (SGEU) and Service Employees International Union Local 200United (SEIU) governing the SGEU union campaign and election. As the process moves forward, there will be much discussion, dialogue and debate about the merits of a union. I ask that our University community remain open to all viewpoints and treat others with grace and respect throughout.

The University will not take a formal position. What we will do is encourage our graduate students to give this careful consideration and make an informed decision. Talk with peers and mentors. Explore the advantages and disadvantages, opportunities and challenges, of unionizing. Participate in the election process to ensure each voice is reflected in this decision. The outcome of the election will be decided by a majority of those voting and will be binding for graduate students, which means each vote is critical to reflecting true consensus.

To assist our community members seeking information on unions, we have created a webpage with frequently asked questions. Graduate students interested in learning more about SGEU should contact organizers directly.

Syracuse University currently has a collaborative relationship with four unions, including SEIU, that represent approximately 1,400 University employees. Should our graduate students make the collective decision to unionize, we will engage their union in the same collaborative, transparent and fair manner as we do with our existing union partners.

Sincerely,

Gretchen Ritter
Vice Chancellor, Provost and Chief Academic Officer