A note from the directors

In light of recent student activism on campus via the Indiana University Graduate Workers Coalition and response from the administration, we want to reaffirm our guiding principles and values for the Department of Biology’s three Ph.D. graduate programs.

SUPPORT: We believe that all students in the programs deserve a living wage and we ensure that every one of our students is supported throughout their studies. Towards that end, we have and will continue to push for reductions in student fees.

FLEXIBILITY: We are responsive and proactive to student feedback, modifying our programs to take into account student concerns.

ADVOCACY: We are allies to our graduate students and advocate on their behalf, working with the administration to enact changes to benefit our community. These include advocating for an increase in stipends, reduction or removal of university fees, and safe working conditions.

We recognize that students have not received raises in years and that the stipend amounts currently provided to our students are not competitive with some programs at peer institutions. We have been working diligently to enact change through official channels but understand the frustration that some of our students may feel. We feel it, too.

Your program directors:
Irene Newton (Micro), Leonie Moyle (EEB), and Jason Tennessen (GCDB)

Your director of graduate studies:
Suchetana Mukhopadhyay (DGS)