Graduate Employee Organization -- University of Massachusetts, Amherst / Childcare

From CGEU

ARTICLE 39

Family Issues

Family Issues Committee : There shall be a Family Issues Committee with two members appointed by the Administration and two members appointed by GEO. The Graduate Student Senate, the University Child Care Office, the Commuter Services and Housing Resource Center , and the Director of Housing Services shall be invited to appoint one member each. Each party shall be able to invite up to six silent observers. This silence agreement includes talking and written placards.

The Committee shall meet at least monthly and shall provide advice to the Administration on the development of policies on issues concerning the family life of graduate student employees on campus. These issues may include but are not limited to housing and child care. The activities of the committee and its recommendations shall not be subject to Article 31, Grievance Procedure.

Child Care : The Administration shall allocate $30,000 in each year of this Agreement for child care support for undergraduate and graduate students. The University also agrees to operate in each year of this Agreement an Affordable Flexible Childcare Program. The current enrollment priorities and income eligibility guidelines of that program shall remain in effect for the life of the Agreement. The current income guidelines specify the maximum amount a family can earn and be eligible for the $0 or $1/hour parent fee. These family income guidelines will remain in place but the parent fee will be raised from $0 to $1/hour and from $1/hour to $2/hour.

Effective August 29, 2005, the University Child Care Center will be supplied with sufficient funds from the Health and Welfare Fund (Article 35, Section H.) to pay the $1 and $2/hour parent fees for all eligible families enrolled in the Flexible Child Care Program at the $1 or $2/hour rates. These parent fees will not increase during the life of this Agreement.