1. Graduate Students Priorities Proposal Presentation
April 14, 2017

2. As a collective, we want to work with FAU to help the University accomplish its goals, per the Pillars and Platforms, of becoming a highly regarded and respected research institution. As graduate students, we are intimately aware of how important this paradigm is because we depend on it. Making FAU a competitive choice for graduate studies not just in Florida but in the Nation is a goal we can all get behind.

3. Boldness Strategic Plan Quality Strategy
“However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results.” - Winston Churchill

4. Stipend Health Insurance Cost of Attendance
When students consider graduate programs, they take in to account different factors.
Stipend
Health Insurance
Cost of Attendance

5. *Summer stipends are not guaranteed

6. Nation-Wide Stipends FAU is the red dot.
“Invest in basic research and recruit the best minds.” – Ahmed H. Zewail

7. Health Insurance
FAU offers health insurance packages for graduate students, but as the school does not cover any of these costs, students must pay for it out of pocket.
Aetna Annual Rate
Domestic Graduate Student
$3,550
International Graduate Student
$1,448

8. Health Insurance School Insurance Coverage for GTA/GRAs
University of Central Florida
Premium Paid in full ($1,992)
University of South Florida
Premium Paid in full ($1,990)
University of Florida
Premium Paid in full ($2,657)
Florida A&M University
Premium Paid in full ($1,345)
Florida International University
Pay $1,494 of $2,403 Premium
Florida State University
Pay $1,662 of $2,262 Premium
Florida Atlantic University …

9. Cost of Attendance
FAU’s Financial Aid website depicts the “Cost of FAU” for NINE months ( ). Correcting for a TWELVE month cost is shown below. *These expenses do not include insurance costs

10. Rent
As costs increase and the stipends do not, the net result is a decrease in standard of living. The U.S. Census states the median rent in Boca Raton in 2015 is $1241.
Rents in South Florida are toughest in U.S. (Sun Sentinel Dec. 18, 2015)

11. Rent
FAU
FSU UF

13. Inflation
Inflation in the U.S. has risen approximately 28% over the last 10 years. Airfare and hotels have increased 23% and 35% in the same time.

14. Path to Graduation Taking longer and longer to graduate
Supplementing income with two or more additional jobs
Unable to spend the time they want on their research
Forced to take out large loans
International graduate students cannot take out loans
Withdrawing in hopes of saving up money to return
What are graduate students walking in to when they join FAU….other school logos (students are choosing other schools)

15. FAU Operating Budget

16. FAU A&S Fees
As well in this time the A&S Fee Budget has increased over 22%.
edit

17. Making FAU a competitive leading University
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” -Benjamin Franklin
Making FAU a competitive leading University
Pillars and Platforms
Graduate Student Priorities

18. Increase GTA Stipends to become competitive
Goal:
Ph.D. stipends close to $30,000 and Masters close to $15,000
10% increase in stipend each year till goal is met
Notes:
Encourage DOR to set competitive stipends that colleges must adhere to
Encourage faculty/DOR to include competitive stipends in grant proposals
Graduate College submitted budget request to support equality adjustment, bonus, and recurring funds to support this

19. Health Insurance Goal: Notes: Fully paid premium for all GTAs/GRAs
Offered as soon as possible to stay competitve
Notes:
Encourage DOR to include insurance coverage in grant proposals
Ensure graduate representation or management of health insurance funds (separate from student affairs and undergraduate insurance)
Graduate College submitted a budget request to support this

20. Funding for Scholarly Travel
Goal:
Students should feel conferences are beneficial and not detrimental
Increase amount of money students can receive
Notes:
Request development officer who can assist with securing donors through 3MT and other events
Graduate College submitted budget request to support this
Statistics???

21. Funding for Scholarly Research
Goal:
Students should have access to materials needed for research
Increase opportunities for students to have access to this
Notes:
Ensure monetary awards for Graduate Research Day
Request development officer who can assist with securing donors through 3MT and other events
Graduate College submitted a budget request to support this

22. Dedicated Graduate Student Space
Goal:
Create study rooms for graduate students to work/rest/eat
Central location for students to discuss concerns and get questions answered
Dedicated space in the Student Union
Notes:
Ensure graduate student representation on planning committee for Student Union

23. Housing Goal: Closer to campus  Closer to graduation
Graduate housing is not undergraduate housing.
AFFORDABLE
Notes:
Ensure graduate student representation on housing committee
Graduate students truly consider this when looking for a university…having this will really help

24. Graduate Student Fees Goal: 12% of stipend goes back to school
Reduce this cost to GTAs/GRAs
More clear use of these funds
Notes:
Ensure graduate student representation on fees committee
Consider separate graduate fees accounts that are controlled by a graduate committee

25. More Scholarships and Fellowships
Goal:
More scholarships and fellowships to supplement research and the overall graduate experience
More availabilities for students to apply
Notes:
Request a development officer
Graduate College submitted budget request for additional funds

26. Citing Strategic Plan
We will recruit and retain the highest talent in faculty, staff and students
Provide competitive financial support for students
Offer market-based stipends and benefits for graduate students
Promote timely graduation for full-time graduate students
Offer scholarships to recruit outstanding students based on merit or need
Recruit and retain outstanding faculty and graduate students
Develop strategies to identify and recruit outstanding graduate students

27. To truly make our university an outstanding research institution, a focus on graduate programs needs to become a priority for Florida Atlantic University.
Together we need to develop a five year plan to thrust Florida Atlantic University towards national recognition.
This Summer we need to start taking the first steps in developing Florida Atlantic University’s five year Competitive Graduate Program Package.