Committees
GEO Committees keep our union alive and cannot work without hours of volunteer labor. If you are interested in any of the committees below, please fill out the form at
or email us at
umgeo@geo3550.org
Organizing Committee members are responsible for member recruitment, engagement and participation. We ask nonmembers about their working and living conditions and bring them into the community of graduate workers. We facilitate
opportunities for graduate workers to advocate for themselves as a collective and build relationships among union members so we are strong enough to confront University management when we need to. If you’re interested, email
us at
organizingchair@geo3550.org
The Solidarity and Political Action Committee (SPAC) keeps GEO rooted in local political work and county, state, and national labor solidarity. SPAC is committed to making GEO inclusive and affirming for all members. SPAC creates
solidarity statements, mobilizes members to picket lines and demonstrations, and works in coalition for social, economic, and racial justice. If you want to be involved in your union’s fight for social justice, join SPAC
by clicking the link above or emailing us at
spacchair@geo3550.org
The Communications Committee (Comms) keeps comrades all over the world up-to-date with our campaigns and struggles against the boss. We manage GEO social media accounts, photographically document GEO actions, liaison with interested press, and design posters, flyers & graphic images. We welcome U-M grad workers with experience in these areas, as well as beginners. Join us by emailing us at commchair@geo3550.org!
Grievance Committee is responsible for enforcing the contract and assisting workers in managing workplace issues – also known as the “problem solving committee.” We educate and support members on both formal and informal mechanisms to solve issues. If your rights have been violated or if you want to advocate for others, contact us at grievancechair@geo3550.org.
Contract Committee is responsible for fighting for a better contract for ourselves. In Contract Committee, you can help develop new contract proposals to secure the rights and compensation you deserve! Contract Committee’s
focus changes year-to-year, depending on what stage in the contract cycle we are (developing new demands, negotiating the contract, or enforcing it). If you want to help develop our next contract, join us by emailing
contractchair@geo3550.org
Almost all the organizing work that GEO does involves money, and Finance Committee is the place to be if you have ideas on how we should collect and spend our membership dues. Finance Committee members will work alongside the
Treasurer and Finance Manager to shape our investment strategy and consult for GEO members who need resources. If you have a knack for numbers and want to learn the business of running a democratic union, then Finance Committee
wants you! Email us at
treasurer@geo3550.org or fill out the form above!
The Tech Committee works on all technology-related tasks within GEO, including maintaining the GEO website and Discord, facilitating software and hardware needs, building out codebases for data analysis on GitHub, cyber security, online facilitation, rally and other in person AV setup, among others. If you have an interest in doing technical work to strengthen our collective power heading into the next contract campaign, email techadmin@geo3550.org to join!
Caucuses
GEO caucuses work to address a variety of issues affecting graduate students at the University of Michigan. Caucuses vary in their activity level and they work to address specific issues graduate students are experiencing in the moment. Any GEO worker can form a caucus to address issues or topics they care about including, but not limited to, students of color, disability access, women, gender, the environment, masters students, and GSRAs. If you would like to work on a particular issue, don’t hesitate to reach out and fill out the form at . The following caucuses are working on active campaigns.
The Abolition Caucus works toward the realization of a workplace and university community in which campus safety is determined by students, staff, and workers, not the Regents. They develop contract demands, provide political
education within the union, and support community campaigns to transform public safety at the University of Michigan, in Ann Arbor, and throughout Washtenaw County. The Caucus developed out of the Emergency Policing Working
Group and the September 2020 strike – email
abolitionchair@geo3550.org to join
Currently inactive and in need of new leaders.
The Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Caucus is a space for thinking through and organizing around the intersections of race and labor. The BIPOC Caucus exists to amplify the voices of people of color within this
union and in the larger University of Michigan community, including but not limited to the voices of undergraduates and staff. Participation in the Caucus is limited to grad students of color. Email
umgeo@geo3550.org if you are at all interested!
Currently inactive and in need of new leaders.
The Climate Caucus examines how the university contributes to the climate crisis and advocates for greater prioritization of environmental needs. Current projects include working with city council and the University around
improving local bike transit corridors and public transportation access, supporting advocacy for public power in Ann Arbor, and partnering with other local unions to consider and prioritize workers in the transition to renewables
through Huron Valley Area Labor Federation’s Just Transition Committee. Email
umgeo@geo3550.org if you are at all interested!
The COVID Caucus advocates for graduate students’ safety in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic. The caucus works closely with other committees and caucuses to respond to graduate students’ needs and the University’s responses. New members are always more than welcome, so please feel free to join by emailing covidchair@geo3550.org!
The Disability Caucus works to address all three Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) components when it comes to GSIs and students with disabilities at UM. This year, they’ll work to ensure that workers with disabilities
have everything they need to be teachers and researchers and assist people through the accommodations procedure. To join us, email
disabilitychair@geo3550.org and check out our
page of resources here!
The feminist caucus’s primary focus is improving campus climate and culture around gendered violence, harassment and discrimination. This year, they will work on finding improvements both inside and outside of our employment
contract and prepare for a joint committee with the University on a Workplace Free from Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual Misconduct. To join, email us at
feministchair@geo3550.org
The GSRA Caucus is the organizing group for graduate research assistants across the University of Michigan to advocate for their needs and concerns, and work together to formulate collective demands from the University. It is currently made up of current and past GSRAs, and is thus open to any student researcher who had or has a GSRA appointment, as well as any interested allies. Our upcoming plans in Winter 2024 are to strengthen individual member outreach, build department-level GSRA power, and provide space for further political and organizing education. If you would like to get involved, feel free to send an email to: umgeo@geo3550.org, and we can keep you updated with our caucus meetings.
The Housing Caucus is dedicated to pursuing housing justice in and around the University of Michigan. In 2021-22 the caucus, in collaboration with
Huron Valley Democratic Socialists of America (HVDSA) and Ann Arbor Tenants Union (AATU), spearheaded the passage of early leasing and just cause eviction ordinances in the city of Ann Arbor. We are currently working
to expand these protections to areas heavily populated by graduate students, including Ypsi and Pittsfield. Additional projects include advocating for a repeal of the statewide ban on rent control and supporting graduate
students living in the University of Michigan’s graduate residences. To join us, email
housingchair@geo3550.org and check out
how we are fighting for our community
The International Graduate Workers (IGW) Caucus troubleshoots issues specific to International individuals. This year, the caucus is holding meetings to focus on contract issues related to IGWs and make sure international student
voices are represented during conversations around COVID and remote teaching! Make sure to check out
our resources! To join, email us at
internationalchair@geo3550.org
GEO’s Masters Caucus organizes students in Master’s, Professional, or Certificate programs (e.g., those pursuing JD, MA, MBA, MPH, MPP, MS, MSW, etc.). We advocate not only for the concerns of Master’s GSI/GSSAs, but also the
rights of Master’s students as laborers, residents, students, and owners of the University at large. Our enduring hope is to strive for a future where every Master’s student has the opportunity to secure funding for their
education for at least one semester. To join us, email
masterschair@geo3550.org and stay
up to date on your rights!
The Parents & Caregivers Caucus advocates for the needs of grad students with dependents. Join the listserv to attend a future meeting or share experiences and needs of parents, prospective parents, carers of adult dependents
and expectant carers. For example, in 2020 – 2021 they focused on concerns around COVID and remote teaching. If you’re interested, email us at
parentscaucus@geo3550.org and make sure to
know your rights!
QT Caucus is advocating for trans accessible healthcare coverage for graduate students and the wider trans community. If you wanna get involved, let us know at
transhealthchair@geo3550.org