Funding for the Univ. of Iowa’s graduate English students in limbo following federal cuts
IOWA CITY, Iowa (KCRG) – The union that represents graduate students at the University of Iowa says it’s taking action after those within the English department learned their contracts are changing.
An email some graduate students received cites uncertainty in funding due to changes regarding federal research funding.
It states that all prospective graduate students who’ve already been admitted, regardless of if they’ve accepted, will have their current offer rescinded before being given a new one with updates terms that don’t guarantee funding. Current graduate students will receive an updated offer once again clarifying that their funding is not guaranteed.
One representative with the union called ‘Campaign to Organize Graduate Students’ says this could affect more than just graduate workers.
“That would mean that if funding did not come in, they would reserve the right to either take funding from departments or take away funding for individuals within those departments.” said Cary Stough, the President for the Campaign to Organize Graduate students, or COGS.
According to the University of Iowa’s website, graduate and PhD students in the English department are typically guaranteed at least 5 years of funding.
But now that this could change, Stough says the University isn’t honoring its end of graduate student workers’ contracts.
“This shows that the university cares more about its bottom line and its profit then it does what it’s ostensibly meant to support which is academic work.” he said.
But worst of all, Stough says it’s not just students that could be impacted, since much of the research done by graduate students directly aids the public.
“People have already started leaving at the graduate level and at the faculty level,” Stough said. “Sort of seeing the writing on the wall that this university does not care about the work that they do. ”
Stough says this likely is due to the funding cuts President Trump made from the National Institutes of Health earlier this month. Those cuts have since been stalled since a judge blocked them.
In a statement sent to TV9, the University says it’s not aware of any graduate positions being rescinded. Though, it did say due to the current federal funding realities, graduated opportunities are contingent upon that available funding.
The university is not aware of any current or prospective graduate student applications, admissions, or employment offers that have been rescinded.
Graduate assistantship appointments have always been dependent on available funding. Many graduate programs already communicate this in their admissions and employment letters.
Given the current uncertainties in the funding environment, the university believes it is important to ensure that all prospective and admitted graduate students are fully aware of the contingencies that come with financial support.
To promote consistency and transparency, the university has encouraged all departments and colleges to clearly outline the contingencies that come with financial support in their admissions and employment offers – both for prospective and current graduate students.
This clarification does not reflect a change in policy or a withdrawal of any existing agreements.
University of Iowa said
Stough says that COGS is planning to speak with department heads, demonstrate in protest, and potentially even take legal action against the University.
Source: KCRG
