Please find the ASE, GSR, and Postdoc Contract Implementation FAQs below.
If you don't see your question answered here, please contact [email protected].
Last updated: November 17, 2023 (Will there be a limit (still) on GSRs being appointed over 50%? Since they won’t accrue vacation, is there anything else to consider?; Is there a minimum percentage required by either of the student contracts?)
Basic Principles and Concepts
The Contracts
Although the contracts are finalized, the PDFs are unformatted; links to the final articles can be viewed below. Formatted contracts will be posted on the UCOP website, Bargaining Units and Contracts.
- Academic Student Employees (ASEs)/BX Contract
- Graduate Student Researchers (GSRs)/BR Contract
- Postdoctoral Scholars/PX Contract
Salary Scales and Timing
The new ASE and GSR contracts went into effect immediately following ratification. Some portions of the contracts, including wages, will be phased in over time. The new rates will govern our minimum compensation for graduate academic student employees.
The AY 2022-2023 salary rate is effective April 1, 2023, and future increases are expected to be effective each October. Updated salary scales, once formatted, will be posted annually on the UCOP website’s Academic Salary Scales.
Salary Scales & Information
When are the contracts effective? Are there any retroactive actions/increases?
The new contracts are in effect immediately following ratification. Some portions of the contracts, including wages, will be phased in over time. There are no retroactive wage agreements. The new salary increases will occur on April 1, 2023.
When will the new wages be in effect?
The initial scale increase for all units will be April 1, 2023 and again each October 1 for the duration of the contracts. See extended salary scales for budgeting purposes.
What is the new salary for TAs beginning in April 2023?
See extended salary scales for budgeting purposes.
What is the anticipated GSR salary increase for October 2024?
See extended salary scales for budgeting purposes.
Can a GSR or TA be moved to a lower step?
Once a student is appointed at a salary point, they should remain at that salary point or greater for all future appointments, and no downward movement on the salary point scale should be taken.
Appointment & Hiring
Will Graduate Student Researchers (GSRs) need to be hired at 50%?
Historically, Basic Science students at UCSF have been compensated as a 50% appointment. This appointment acknowledges that students need more than 50% effort to dedicate to engaging in experiments, writing, and studying related to completing their PhD degree program. UCSF has taken the position that Basic Science GSRs will maintain their 50% appointment.
There may be an issue with % FTE and actual work effort. How will departments and PIs comply with requirements such as “workload will be commensurate with the appointment percentage and title/classification”?
The responsibilities and workload for GSRs and ASEs remain under the purview of the University as part of management rights. Work duties are expected to be briefly described in the Description of Duties accompanying the Appointment letters. The Workload article states that the appointment percentage must be commensurate with the hours worked (effort), not calculated to achieve a gross dollar figure which means the appointment FTE must approximate the hours reasonably required to complete their work. It does not reflect the total number of hours needed to engage in work directly related to their PhD program; these are educational, not employment activities. Departments should have a mechanism to justify the FTE based on the workload for the particular appointment.
Regarding effort, is it allowable to have a GSR appointment for 12 months at a fixed %, but with a heavier workload in some months and lighter in others, averaging out to the % of appointment?
GSRs are considered exempt employees. The GSRs workload (time and effort commitment) will be commensurate with the appointment percentage each month. It is understood that the workload may fluctuate in a given time period (e.g., workweek, month, academic term) due to the general functions and activities within a research lab or program. The expectations of attendance, presence, and participation should be defined clearly between the supervisor and the employee.
Can we combine a student’s appointment in a given quarter so that they are both an ASE and GSR? How do we do this now?
As has always been true, any student can concurrently hold different types of appointments (ASE, GSR). This has not changed.
Will there be a limit (still) on GSRs being appointed over 50%? Since they won’t accrue vacation, is there anything else to consider?
Graduate students (GSRs and ASEs) with an appointment percentage of 0-50% will follow the normal approval process. For appointments between 51% and 74%, approval from both the program director AND student’s faculty adviser is required. Appointments of 75% and over require approval of the Graduate Dean. This applies to Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters only and does not apply to summer quarter. The academic interests and academic progress of the graduate student should be the focus of any justification provided.
Will students who are awarded internal fellowships be considered Graduate Student Researchers (GSRs) under the new contract?
This type of internal fellowship is typically not covered by the bargaining agreement especially if that is the only type of support received by the student.
Is there a minimum percentage required by either of the student contracts?
Nowhere in the contracts is it stated that students are guaranteed any percentage of appointment. Any single appointment may not be less than 25%. Percentage appointment must be commensurate with the hours worked (effort), and not calculated to achieve a gross dollar figure. Appointments over 50% and at 75% and over require approval.
How does the agreement impact students who are not employed as a GSR?
Students not employed as GSR are not impacted by the agreement. However, UCSF has taken the position that all Basic Science students will be compensated similarly.
Can a GSR continue to work in the lab to finish projects after receiving a PhD?
Yes, the designation is Interim Postdoctoral Scholar – Employee (Title Code 3256). This title may be utilized when a University of California graduate student who recently obtained their PhD degree or equivalent needs a short-term appointment to complete an existing project from their graduate education program before moving on to other employment. This appointment is limited to individuals who have completed their graduate work at the University of California. The minimum appointment shall be for at least 3 months.
- Temporary title for “bridging” a UC graduate student who has recently earned a PhD over to a Postdoc to complete a research project
- Cannot exceed one year in the title
- If subsequently hired in another Postdoc title, the date of hire remains the original date for calculating months of service as a Postdoc
- Receives all benefits of a Postdoc
Example:
- Recent UCSF Graduate Student (PhD conferred) needs four months to complete their doctoral research project
- Appoint using title code 3256 for four months
- What if they need more time to finish the project?
- Can be provided a reappointment in 3256 for up to one year, but cannot stay in 3256 longer than one year. If reappointment is for another 8 months, the total in Title Code 3256 will be for 12 months - so okay.
- If PI decides to keep the Interim Postdoc after the max of 12 months, then a reappointment into Title Code 3252 – Postdoc-Employee will apply.
Is a student on filing fee able to have an academic appointment?
Under the UC-UAW Agreement, a GSR is:
Graduate student who (1) performs research as a condition of receiving financial remuneration (2) from funding generated by the University in an academic department or research unit, provided that the graduate student (3) is performing this funded research under the control of the University and under the specific direction of a faculty member or authorized Principal Investigator.
Therefore, students on filing fee status are not able to have academic appointments or get paid by any federal funding that requires an academic appointment.
Time Reporting & Benefits
Are students expected to work during academic breaks?
GSRs are considered exempt employees. The GSR workload (time and effort commitment) should be commensurate with the appointment percentage each month. It is understood that the workload may fluctuate in a given time period (e.g., workweek, month, academic term) due to the general functions and activities within a research lab or program. The expectations of attendance, presence, and participation should be defined clearly between the supervisor and the employee.
The workload of ASEs (TA/AI/Reader/Tutor) should be completed within days of the final exam. There is normally no expectation of work to be completed during academic breaks for this classification of employee or job.
Is the eight weeks of paid leave for baby bonding, caring for a parent, etc., on a calendar, fiscal or academic year basis?
The ASE paid leave will be administered on an academic year basis and will be administered from October – September. The Postdoctoral paid leave is to be administered on a calendar year from January – December.
How will PTO be tracked?
Starting in the 2023 Fall academic term, GSRs and ASEs will be required to centrally report their Short-Term Leave and Personal Time Off (PTO) through the Huntington Business System (HBS) timekeeping system, like most other employees at the University of California. The Graduate Division is providing this tool to assist in tracking leave until the HBS is fully implemented. Leave requests are initiated by the student and approved by the principal investigator.
As their contract requires, GSRs and ASEs must seek prior leave approval from their PI/Supervising faculty. While PTO for GSRs is allotted annually, approval is at the PI’s discretion. Leave approval is based on the operational needs of the laboratory and can be denied based on these needs. Available leave is based on the requirements outlined in the contract, and any other time off beyond these requirements would be without pay and is at the discretion of the responsible PI.
Short-Term Leave (GSRs and ASEs):
GSRs and ASEs with a 50% appointment are eligible for up to two (2) days of leave per quarter for a total of (8) days per academic year. The leave will be prorated for salaried GSRs and ASEs for appointments less than 50%. The short-term leave may be used for the following purposes: personal illness or disability, birth, adoption, or care of a child or family member, family emergencies, and immigration meetings on behalf of the employee or family member. Short-term leave does not carry over from year to year.
Personal Time Off (GSRs only):
GSRs with 25% or more appointments for at least one month are also eligible for paid personal time off. Personal time off is 12 workdays each year. For shorter appointments, twelve (12) workdays will be prorated one (1) day per month for every full month of appointed service. PTO does not carry over from year to year or if a GSR’s appointment ends early. Absences under (1) day do not require PTO.
Will graduate students employed as GSRs still accrue vacation?
Vacation leave was not part of the final agreement. Instead, GSRs with a 25% or more appointment for a minimum of one full month will be eligible to use personal time off with pay during the length of the appointment. GSRs may earn up to 12 days per year and the days will be prorated at a rate of one day per month for every full month of appointed service.
Can students or postdoctoral scholars use two eight-week leaves during the year for two separate events; i.e., baby bonding & caring for a parent, etc.?
No. The new eight-week benefit is limited to eight paid weeks during the academic year or fiscal year.
Are ASEs and GSRs eligible for UC retirement plans?
The Defined Contribution Plan (DCP) is a savings plan that allows participants to accumulate tax‐sheltered money for retirement. If you are appointed at 50% or more and are a registered student, the deductions and participation will not be in effect during the academic session. However, if you are not registered/enrolled in the summer then you will be eligible to participate in the program. During the period of eligibility, 7.5% of salary will be deposited automatically in the Defined Contribution Plan and credited to an individual tax‐sheltered account. Participation in DCP is mandatory. The only exception to DCP deductions is for non‐resident aliens who are present in the U.S. under the F‐1 or J‐1 visa programs.
Academics
How should PIs assess labor covered by the UAW agreement versus academic labor?
It is always best practice to have clear syllabi with associated learning goals and expectations, descriptions of academic expectations, and clear explanations of how academic assessments and evaluations of work will be conducted. The contract acknowledges that academic responsibilities continue to exist for all students and that these academic requirements may be separate from employment workload. We've reached out for more guidance on this topic and will update the FAQ as soon as possible.
Can students be dismissed from the program for unsatisfactory academic performance at the discretion of graduate programs?
Yes, graduate program policies should continue to be followed. For students who are not meeting academic requirements, please ensure you are following the academic notice and dismissal guidelines available here.
Child Care
What will be the process for child care reimbursement (ASE & GSR)? What funding source will cover the cost of childcare reimbursements?
With the ratification of the union contract, represented graduate students are now eligible to be reimbursed for dependent childcare expenses up to $1,350 per fiscal quarter.
- To be eligible, a GSR or ASE must have an appointment of 25 percent time or more for the entire quarter for which childcare reimbursement is sought.
- A qualified dependent is a child, 12 years old or younger, in the custody of a GSR, on July 1st.
- The childcare provider must have a valid tax I.D. or Social Security Number.
ASEs must submit reimbursement requests no later than the last day of the following term. GSRs must submit reimbursement request no later than 30 calendar days from the end of the quarter for which reimbursement is sought.
If a GSR has already received reimbursement through a training grant or external fellowship of $1,350 or more, they are not eligible for additional reimbursement. The GSR can receive a maximum of $1,350 from all fund sources.
For more information, visit the childcare reimbursement program webpage.
As a reminder, GSRs paid through UCPath and ASEs may participate in the UC Dependent Care Reimbursement.
What funding source will cover the cost of dependent care insurance coverage?
The employee (student) pays this cost on a pre-tax basis. For more information, please see DepCare FSA for Academic Student Employees
What funding source will cover the cost of paid time off for illness, maternity/baby bonding, caregiving?
The same funding source as the gross pay (no separate funding source entered in UCPath for leaves).
When does the "expanded to eight paid weeks per year for serious health conditions, family care, baby bonding, pregnancy or childbirth-related needs" benefit begin?
Dependent health insurance and eight paid weeks of leave started upon ratification in December 2022.
Fee Remissions & Non-Resident Supplemental Tuition (NRST)
Are we required to pay NRST for students outside of the current UCOP practice and the UCSF local policy for students in appointments over 25% FTE?
No, the current UCOP policy and the local UCSF policy for NRST coverage of GSRs over 45% FTE are what is required.
How does the contract affect students from self-supported programs who are employed outside their home academic department/program? Will the employing department pay the remission of tuition and fees?
Since tuition and fees are a benefit of employment, the employing unit is expected to cover the remission of tuition and fees. Fee remission will be proportionately split according to the distribution of effort across all salary fund sources.
Wages, Salary Tables, Salary Range Adjustment
What is the timing of the salary increases?
Generally speaking, the contract is in effect immediately upon ratification. The specific contract articles governing wages go into effect 90 days after ratification. The effective dates for the new ASE and GSR wages are the start of the first pay period of the Spring 2023 quarter, April 1, 2023.
Will adjusted compensation rates automatically be programmed in UCPath?
Increases will be handled via a UC-wide salary range adjustment. The range adjustment will collapse the existing GSR tables, expand the ASE tables, and increase the rates. Likewise, future increases required by the contract will be processed systemwide.
For the first phase of wage implementation, effective April 1, 2023, the GSRs currently on payroll will be adjusted by UCOP/UCPath. HR is reviewing the adjustments for GSRs on payroll and ensuring they are accurately processed. For GSRs on Stipend payments, program coordinators must submit new stipend requests for the difference in pay. Instructions were provided to the Grad Dean’s Office and may be obtained from the Controller’s Office. We also have a Box resource from HR. To request access to the Box Folder email HR at [email protected].
Will the salary increase affect work-study eligibility?
No, work-study eligibility does not take into account earnings from employment positions. It does take into account any student financial support fellowships, fee remissions, and/or financial aid the student receives.
Who do I contact about paycheck issues or questions?
If you have issues or questions about your paycheck, please submit a General Inquiry to HR and a member of the HR Team will review and be in contact with you. Submit your paycheck question at peopleconnect.my.site.com (MyAccess log in required), click ASK A QUESTION on top menu, and then fill out the form:
- Subject line: paycheck issue [or what other text would you like to enter]
- Type: Payroll/Paychecks
- Sub Type: Pay Error
- Description: Describe what is wrong with your check; include paycheck date
- Click "Submit"
Your issue will be routed to your HR Generalist to look into the issue.
Teaching Assistants
Do quarters of experience accrue separately for quarters spent as a TA/AI versus quarters spent as a GSR or is it a total number of quarters employed in either title?
Quarters of experience are counted separately in the TA/AI classification and GSR classification. They are not a combined total.
Do the quarters of experience only apply to the student’s department/school? Or if they have appointments outside of our school, do we need to count those as well?
Experience is counted for experience obtained at their campus, not limited to department/unit/college. Experience does not need to include experience obtained outside of UCSF. However, nothing prohibits hiring a student at a higher experience level.
Does experience prior to UC count?
Experience is counted for experience obtained at their campus, not limited to department/unit/college. Experience does not need to include experience obtained outside of UCSF. However, nothing prohibits hiring a student at a higher experience level.
Will there be new TA/GSR appointment notification templates for upcoming appointments?
New appointment letter templates will be created using new, required language. However, continue to utilize the current templates for all offers to reduce delays in spring appointment notification and hiring. Links to updated template language will be updated when available.
Can a student hold both a TA and Reader position in the same term?
A student may hold multiple positions in different titles.
Postdoctoral Scholars - PX Contract
Appointments
What is the minimum appointment for a postdoctoral scholar?
Per the new contract, the initial appointment for postdoctoral scholars must now be two years.
If a postdoctoral scholar had a one-year initial appointment based on the old contract, is it mandatory to give a two-year reappointment?
According to the new contract, reappointments must be at least one year. Though only a one-year reappointment is required, in cases where a postdoc only had a one-year initial appointment, a two-year reappointment should be honored so that the postdoc receives at least one two-year appointment over their career.
Are there any circumstances in which a reappointment may be for less than one year?
Yes. There are three justifications: 1) Less than one (1) year of programmatic work; 2) exhausted eligibility as a postdoc; and 3) work authorization limitations.
If a PI does not have the funding to support a postdoc for the two years that is now required for initial appointments, what are the exceptions criteria and/or documents required for less than two-year initial appointment?
The PI is required to offer a new postdoc an initial two-year appointment. If the project funding ends before the appointment end date, then the postdoc would be subject to layoff.
If a PI does not have funding for the one-year reappointment, what are the PI’s options?
Reasons for less than one-year reappointments can only be for: 1) less than one (1) year of programmatic work; 2) exhausted eligibility as a postdoc; and 3) work authorization limitations. If the reason is lack of funding, the process would be to give a one-year appointment and then initiate a layoff if no other funding is available.
Will PIs be required to provide proof of two years of funding for the initial appointment?
No, proof of two-year funding is not required. But it is good practice to keep records of funding.
Is the eight weeks of paid leave on a calendar, fiscal, or academic year basis?
The Postdoctoral paid leave is to be administered on a calendar year from January – December.
Is the time of evaluation the same every year for experiential increases?
For postdoctoral scholars, yes, experiential increases will be implemented in April and October each year.
Is there any exemption to the initial two-year appointment for postdocs? What about if the relationship does not work and has to be terminated earlier?
No, there is no exemption to the two-year appointment. All initial postdoc appointments at UC must be for two years. However, there is a new release provision for Postdocs on their initial appointment, with a minimum of 30 days’ notice to the Postdoc. The release cannot be effective before the one-year mark. Release is at the University’s sole discretion and can be for any reason except an unlawful reason.
Compensation
How/when will postdocs recently appointed or reappointed under the previous salary scale get a salary increase? Are we still considering anniversary dates for salary increases?
- Postdocs appointed/reappointed before April 1, 2023, and on the May 1, 2022 salary scale, will have their experience levels adjusted automatically to the April 1, 2023 salary scale.
- Postdocs will no longer receive their experience level increases on appointment/reappointment dates. Rather, the initial appointment date into the postdoctoral title determines when they will receive their increase, either on April 1 or October 1, based on their appointment date.
- Postdocs whose initial appointment occurs from October 1 through April 1 will move to the next experience level on October 1 of each year or a 3% increase, whichever is greater
- Postdocs whose initial appointment occurred from April 2 through September 30 will move to the next experience level on April 1 each year or receive 3% increase, whichever is greater
Example 1: If a postdoc was reappointed on February 1, 2023, and their initial appointment date into the postdoctoral title was February 1, 2022, and they received an experience level increase on February 1, 2023, then on April 1, 2023, they will receive a range adjustment based on the April 1, 2023 scale at that experience level. Then on October 1, 2023, they will receive a range adjustment in accordance with the October 1, 2023 pay scale and an experience level increase. Future range increases and experience level increases will then occur on October 1 of each year.
Example 2: If a postdoc is reappointed on April 23, 2023, upon reappointment, they will receive an experience level increase based on the current April 1, 2023, salary scale. Thereafter, they will receive experience level increases on April 1 each year. Future range increases will occur on October 1 of each year.
Who do I contact about paycheck issues or questions?
If you have issues or questions about your paycheck, please submit a General Inquiry to HR and a member of the HR Team will review and be in contact with you. Submit your paycheck question at peopleconnect.my.site.com (MyAccess log in required), click ASK A QUESTION on top menu, and then fill out the form:
- Subject line: paycheck issue [or what other text would you like to enter]
- Type: Payroll/Paychecks
- Sub Type: Pay Error
- Description: Describe what is wrong with your check; include paycheck date
- Click "Submit"
Your issue will be routed to your HR Generalist to look into the issue.
Transition Issues
For postdocs who are up for reappointment between the contract ratification date of December 9, 2022, and April 1, 2023, when the new salary scale goes into effect, do we reappoint to the next step and rate, or only reappoint?
Postdocs should be reappointed on their anniversary date and advanced to the next step on the May 1, 2022, salary scale.
For new appointments or reappointment offers that have already been issued with different appointment durations, can they be withdrawn and reissued with the new minimum duration requirements?
All offers, effective on or after December 9, 2022, must be amended based on the requirements of the new contract.
Will UC provide bridge funding to cover the increase in postdoc salaries over the next two years while research budgets can be recalibrated?
UCSF has committed to bridge funding for postdocs over the next 18 months. However, please see the FAQs regarding the UAW overpayment process and technical guidance for the same.