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
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.
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.
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!
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.
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!