Background Summary
In June of 2019, the provost at UT Austin committed $10 million in one-time funds to address pressing, short-term issues with graduate student funding while the university moves to determine and implement long-term solutions.
During the past decade, UT Austin has not kept up with peer universities in the compensation it provides graduate students in some of its programs. In many cases, the raises provided over the years have not kept pace with inflation—a situation that increasingly impedes student recruiting and negatively affects current students.
In response to these issues, the provost formed the Graduate Education Task Force in December 2018. The task force is comprised of faculty and graduate students from across campus and is working to identify solutions for improving graduate student compensation as well as addressing other graduate education issues.
On Feb. 5, 2020, the provost released the task force report. It provided preliminary recommendations to address areas of concern including graduate student stipends, tuition, advising, health care and student services. The Graduate School is in the process of developing an implementation plan to complement the task force’s recommendations.
The plan will provide colleges and schools with a framework and guiding principles for how to address stipends and other issues identified in the task force report. This plan will be delivered to the provost and shared with the campus community during the spring semester.
Messages to Campus
Graduate Education Task Report and Next Steps – Letter from the Provost – February 5, 2020
Graduate Education Progress – Letter from Provost – Mary 23, 2019
Preliminary Recommendations – Graduate Education Task Force – May 22, 2019
Preliminary Recommendations Shared With the Provost – May 21, 2019
Announcing the Graduate Education Task Force – December 6, 2018