Last fall I was admitted to OSU for a PhD in Public Health as a GTA. After working for a month as a TA to an assistant professor in my department, I was called in for a meeting with the department coordinator. During the meeting, I was informed that the professor was not satisfied with my work, and about a week later, the department coordinator informed me that even though I was improving, they were going to terminate my appointment after Fall Term. Without any prior notice and official explanation, they just told me that I am going to lose my assistantships, and I didn’t get a chance to explain my side of the story. At that time I was completely clueless of what to do because as an international student it would have absolutely impossible for me to continue my studies if the University terminated my assistantship. Then I consulted a colleague in my department, Eric Coker, who is also a CGE officer, about my situation and if CGE could do anything to help me. He introduced me to Daniel Ritter from CGE. I explained the whole situation to him, and he told me that the University did not have just cause to terminate my employment and about the process of filing a grievance, and I agreed to filing a grievance. Then he contacted the department and HR. As a result of CGE’s involvement in this matter, I got a chance to explain myself to HR. Daniel and Eric both were with me during the meeting with HR as CGE representatives and supported me throughout. After presenting my side of the story there, I got my assistantship back for the Winter Term. I am really grateful to CGE; because of them I still have my assistantship and I am continuing my studies as OSU as a PhD student.

–Sudeshna De

International Student and GTA, Public Health