ABOUT TARGET 6:

Graduate students are an integral part of the Carolina community thanks to their research contributions, involvement in undergraduate education, and more. Yet, graduate students are continuously underrepresented in student government policy, and even more important, student government action. Through the first-hand expertise of numerous UNC graduate students, the Alvarez Administration hopes to amplify their voices and achieve actionable change, from increasing graduate pay and stipends to advocating for wellness day enforcement and reproductive healthcare.

TARGET-SPECIFIC POLICIES:

Goal 6.1 – Increasing Campus Wages

As of 2024, the living wage in Orange County, N.C. is $17.65 per hour, yet UNC Chapel Hill pays student workers between $9.50 to $11.00 per hour. Student employees deserve a wage that allows them to support themselves while pursuing their education, without the need for multiple jobs. The Alvarez Administration will advocate for a living wage for all full-time student workers. We will collaborate with student-led workers' organizations to develop recommendations for raising pay to $17.65 per hour, potentially funded by an increase in student activity fees. These recommendations will be presented to the Board of Trustees for approval after navigating the proper channels.

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Goal 6.2 – Increasing Graduate Stipends

In 2025, the base graduate stipend at UNC-Chapel Hill remains $20,600, which is less than half of the calculated cost of living in Orange County, according to the MIT Living Wage calculator. To attract and retain top researchers who contribute to world-class research and education, fair pay is essential. Graduate students competing for Ph.D. positions at UNC are often offered higher stipends by peer institutions. The Alvarez Administration will advocate for higher graduate student stipends through direct discussions with university administration and the Board of Trustees. We will push for reallocating funds to improve graduate student pay.

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Goal 6.3 – Advocate for a Well-Being Day Enforcement Policy in the Graduate School

Since the fall semester of 2020, UNC has implemented well-being days, but there is no uniform policy for graduate and professional students. Many report that instructors still hold classes or require attendance at non-essential meetings, preventing them from fully utilizing these breaks. The Alvarez Administration is committed to advocating for graduate student well-being. We will collaborate with the Graduate Student Experience’s Working Conditions Working Group, Graduate and Professional Student Government, and the UNC Workers’ Union to assess the current policy and develop recommendations. We will work with these groups and the Office of the Provost to create a fair policy ensuring graduate students can truly take a break on well-being days.

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Goal 6.4 – Allocate More and Improved Graduate Student On-Campus Housing

Baity Hill is UNC’s only on-campus housing for graduate students, but it is set to close once an alternative is developed. With the median rent in Chapel Hill rising and a housing shortage affecting both UNC and the community, many graduate students struggle to find affordable housing. The Alvarez Administration is committed to ensuring that new graduate housing is affordable and includes more units for graduate students. We will ensure graduate student voices are represented in the Residence Hall Association and work with the Graduate and Professional Student Government to create recommendations for new housing projects. We will also advocate for more graduate housing and stipend increases to make on-campus living more affordable.

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Goal 6.5 – Protecting Reproductive and Preventative Healthcare CoverageMany UNC students rely on university-provided health insurance plans, including Student Blue, GeoBlue for international students, and GSHIP. These plans are essential for students, particularly graduate students with families or specific healthcare needs like prenatal care and birth control. Preventive care coverage is also vital for screenings, immunizations, and other health procedures. In light of ongoing threats to reproductive rights and challenges to the Affordable Care Act’s preventive healthcare coverage, the Alvarez Administration will advocate for 100 percent coverage of reproductive and preventive healthcare through UNC student health insurance plans. We will continue to defend reproductive rights and bodily autonomy for all students.

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Goal 6.6 – Advocate for Graduate and Professional Student Government President to Have Speaking Privileges During Board of Trustees Meetings ​Graduate students are an important part of Carolina’s student body but they often lack sufficient representation in student government and administration. The Alvarez Administration is committed to ensuring graduate students have a voice in decision-making. Currently, the president of the Graduate and Professional Student Government (GPSG) does not have any privileges at Board of Trustees meeting, unlike the student body president. The Alvarez Administration will advocate for the GPSG president to have speaking privileges at Board of Trustees meetings to ensure graduate student concerns are properly recognized and addressed.