The inception of this protest started with six Clinical Science Ph.D. students at the University of Southern California on 11/15/17. As of 11/28/17, we have over 6,000 supporters nationwide and we are in contact with 51 universities across 32 states. We have partnered with Save Grad Ed, a consortium of students from six universities who will be forced out of higher education as a result of this bill.
Together with SaveGradED and with the support from the March of Science, we are organizing a nationwide walkout (#gradtaxwalkout) on Wednesday November 29th at 1:00pm EST/10am PST to show how vital graduate students are to higher education. These efforts are in response to the latest tax legislation that would force graduate student workers to pay taxes on tuition that universities pay on behalf of students. Considering that the Department of Education reported 55% of PhD students have an income of less than $20,000, and the average income is $30,000 the latest tax reform would put considerable financial burden on graduate student workers and the larger education system. The proposed bill could tax students at a rate of up to 50% of their income because of taxing the tuition waiver. Doing so could force many current graduate students out of higher education and disproportionately disincentive those of lower socioeconomic status seeking higher education. Graduate student workers are the future of science, research, the arts, technology, development, education, health, and social science. And we are on the verge of being pushed out by an administration that does not see the value of graduate student workers on the larger education system.
Our goal is not to oppose/anger our administrators or universities that support us, but to increase our visibility in the media and to unite our voices against this tax reform bill. Join us in this national walkout/rally!! However you would like to participate -- by calling your senators, gathering at your representative offices, organizing a “grade-in” at city hall, rallying with signs, speakers, and megaphones -- show just how important graduate students are to society and to the fabric of education.
MAKE US VISIBLE: We need your help to get media attention. Please post a photo of the larger impact of this tax bill for you personally, and please let us know other ways that your important research, teaching and community contribute to society and the economy (see Photo Campaign tab).
Help us get the word out with the #gradtaxwalkout and #SaveGradEd, and join us by walking to your campus quad on Wednesday November 29th at 1:00pm EST/10am PST. Fight on!