Graduate Employees (GEs) Levels of Appointment

In the collective bargaining agreement, the definitions for the three levels of GE appointments are as follows:

Graduate Employee (GE) I

Regularly enrolled graduate students admitted to a graduate degree program or doctoral students who are not eligible for a GE II or GE III appointment.

Graduate Employee (GE) II

Regularly enrolled graduate students who have one of the following:

  1. A master's degree in the same or cognate field (official transcript must be on file with the Office of the Registrar at time of appointment)
  2. Successfully completed a qualifying examination and have written recommendation of the head of their major department
  3. Completed 45 credit hours toward a doctoral degree and have written recommendation of the head of their major department

Graduate Employee (GE) III

Regularly enrolled doctoral students who have been advanced to candidacy. The advancement to candidacy must have been fully approved by the Division of Graduate Studies before a level III appointment can be processed. 


Level Changes

In most hiring units, GE salary rates vary by level. When a GE becomes eligible for a level increase, they should notify the supervisor. This is particularly important for GEs employed by units other than their own graduate program.

Level increases take effect the term after the specific eligibility criteria have been met. For example, a student who advances to candidacy in fall term is eligible for a level III appointment in the following winter term.

Level increases are not automatic. They must be requested via a new ePRF, accompanied by documentation if required (e.g., a Level 2 Recommendation Memo). It is the student's and academic unit's responsibility to initiate level increases.