Guidance for Graduate Faculty and Staff

Graduate student unionization is an important issue that has the potential to shape the experiences of current and future graduate students at Penn State. We encourage graduate faculty and staff members to stay informed about the topic.

The guidance below is intended for faculty and staff who wish to discuss unionization with graduate students. Information for students is available on our Graduate Student Union FAQs. If you have specific questions, please contact gradinfo@psu.edu.

If Faculty Wish to Talk About Graduate Student Unionization

Faculty and staff members are free to discuss union-related issues with graduate students, and have the right to express their own views. Open dialogue helps ensure that graduate students can consider multiple perspectives as they form their own opinions on unionization. Deciding how to vote if an election is held is a personal decision for each eligible graduate student. Regardless of the outcome of the unionization effort, the University remains committed to fostering a supportive and respectful environment for all graduate students. Faculty and staff should ensure that their conversations on this topic reflect a commitment to education and respect.

If Students Have Questions, You Can Share Your Opinions

If You Have the Facts, Share Them

If you have the facts about graduate assistant unionization at Penn State, feel free to share them. If you hear information that you know is inaccurate, you can and should correct it, just as you would in response to any other inaccurate information. If you do not know the answer to a question, refer the question to gradinfo@psu.edu or to someone you know who has the correct information.

Conversations in a Meeting Setting

You may not take any action to discourage protected concerted activity by graduate students. Although you may convene a meeting with a group of graduate students specifically to share your thoughts on the benefits or disadvantages of union representation, students should not be required to attend and it should be clear that there will be no adverse consequences for not doing so.

Keep in Mind

Regardless of whether graduate students ultimately become unionized, the University strives to maintain a positive relationship with all of its graduate students. Please ensure your comments and conversations enable graduate students to feel that they are being treated with dignity and respect.

Reminder: Conversations about unionization, either in support of or against, must be free of threats, intimidation or promises of benefits. Faculty should always ensure that when you share your opinion, what you are communicating are your own thoughts, and you are not speaking on behalf of Penn State.

What Faculty and Staff Cannot Say or Do

The law imposes restrictions on what faculty and staff members can do or say, particularly when it comes to communicating with students. You may not:

Threaten graduate student assistants with harm or reprisals (economic, academic or other) if they decide to support unionization, or if they choose not to support unionization. We must be respectful of differing viewpoints on this issue.
Interrogate graduate student assistants about their attitude toward a union or about union activities.
Promise any benefit or reward to a graduate student assistant for supporting or refusing to support a union.
Spy or surveil graduate student assistants engaged in union organizing activity or give the impression of unlawful surveillance.
Speak or represent your own expressions or opinions as those of Penn State. Take care to ensure that you are clear that your communications are your own, and not made on behalf of Penn State.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the University’s position on graduate student unionization?

Penn State acknowledges the right of teaching assistants (TAs) and administrative support assistants (ASAs) to unionize and respects their role in supporting the University’s educational mission. However, we do not support the unionization of research assistants (RAs) and trainees, as their primary role is that of students first. Research assistantships and traineeships are an integral part of their academic and professional development, rather than traditional employment. The University remains committed to providing all graduate students with a supportive, enriching, and positive educational experience.

What can I say to my graduate students who ask about unionization?

You are free and encouraged to discuss unionization with your graduate students if you feel comfortable doing so. You can also discuss your opinion and experiences with a union if you wish. Here are some other things you may do:

Respond to graduate students’ questions and/or address inaccurate or misleading information being disseminated. You can also refer them to the Unionization FAQs.
Explain the University’s efforts to address graduate student concerns in the past, in large part with the guidance and input of graduate students on councils, governing bodies and committees, such as the Student Insurance Advisory Board, Graduate Council, University Faculty Senate, and Board of Trustees.
Explain the University’s continued commitment to providing graduate student assistants with a world-class graduate education, and teaching and/or research experience in their respective fields to prepare them for careers when they leave the University.
Explain what could change with unionization versus the current state, such as being able to deal directly with faculty mentors about scheduling and other issues related to their assistantship.
Tell graduate student assistants they do not have to talk with union organizers at their homes, or anywhere else, unless they wish to do so.
Encourage graduate student assistants to be informed. Unionization is a consequential decision; one that will impact both current and future generations of University graduate students.

Is there anything I should refrain from doing or saying?

Yes. Please refer to the What Faculty and Staff Cannot Say or Do section of this page.

What can I do if I have a student with questions I cannot answer, or have questions myself?

We are committed to engaging in a meaningful dialogue about unionization. Anyone can email gradinfo@psu.edu with questions or comments.