Understanding the UCLA GSR Salary Scale: A Comprehensive Guide
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) employs numerous graduate students in research roles. These Graduate Student Researchers (GSRs) are vital to the university's research enterprise, contributing significantly to its mission of advancing knowledge and innovation. This article provides a detailed overview of the UCLA GSR salary scale, appointment types, and related policies, drawing upon official UCLA documentation and recent agreements.
Defining Graduate Student Researcher Roles
UCLA recognizes several categories of Graduate Student Researchers, each with specific funding mechanisms and employment conditions:
Graduate Student Researcher - Employee (TC 3276): This classification applies to graduate students who conduct research as a requirement for receiving financial compensation from university-generated funding. These students work under the direct supervision of a faculty member or authorized Principal Investigator (PI).
Graduate Student Researcher - Fellow (TC 3145): This category includes students who secure individual fellowships (e.g., NSF GRFP, NIH F30, F31, F31-Diversity). To receive fellowship funding, the student must perform a service for the University and conduct research under the specific direction of a faculty member or authorized PI.
Graduate Student Researcher - Trainee (TC 3155): This classification is designated for students supported by training grants (e.g., NIH training grants T32, T35, T90, NSF Research Traineeship) where the funding source does not classify the money as wages. Although the money provided is not subject to a W-2, the graduate student is still an employee. The University uses the “Trainee” title code to reflect this distinction.
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Graduate Student Researcher - Supplement (3160): This code is used in conjunction with 3145/3155 appointments when the extramural award does not meet the Salary Point funding level for the GSR. Supplement funding must originate from non-78 accounts.
The GSR Salary Scale
The GSR salary scale is a structured system that determines the compensation for Graduate Student Researchers based on their experience and responsibilities. It's important to note that range adjustments to the GSR Salary Scale typically occur at the beginning of each October.
By Oct. 1, 2024, the first step on the new, six-point GSR salary scale will be set at $34,564.50 for 50%-time work. There will be a side letter with UCSF to move its GSRs onto the salary scale by Oct. 1, 2024.
Additional GSR Appointment Considerations
When a GSR appointment requires a supplement to meet the minimum salary requirements, the process varies depending on the source of the supplemental funds:
- Supplement from Current PI/Supervisor/Mentor: Specific instructions apply when the supplement originates from the student's current PI, supervisor, or mentor.
- Supplement and/or Stipend from a Different Source: If the supplemental funding or stipend comes from a PI, supervisor, or mentor other than the student's current one, the Academic Personnel Title and Compensation (ATO) office should be contacted for guidance.
Workload and Employment Limitations
UCLA imposes restrictions on the amount of time graduate students can work to ensure they can focus on their academic pursuits:
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- Academic Year: Graduate students are generally limited to a maximum of 50% full-time employment during the academic year. Considering that 100 percent equals 40 hours per week, 50% employment equates to 20 hours per week. Any additional FTE (Full-Time Equivalent) requires an exception from the Graduate Division. This 20-hour limit for graduate student researchers encompasses time spent in the library, laboratory, and all other research-related tasks assisting with the assigned project.
- Quarter Breaks and Summer: Students can be employed up to 100% during quarter breaks and summer sessions.
Navigating UCLA's Policies and Procedures
UCLA provides comprehensive resources to guide graduate students and administrators through the appointment process. The "manual" explains official UCLA policies and procedures for the appointments of graduate students to all academic personnel titles. It contains information on how to find appointments, minimum requirements for appointments, terms of employment, benefits, tax information, TA training programs, fee deferments, offsets, and remissions. Please note dates & salary rates are available as separate documents. For TA, Reader, and Tutor policies, please be sure to refer to the UAW contract, as the contract policies supersede the ones outlined in the manual.
Recent Agreements and Enhancements
The University of California and the United Auto Workers (UAW) have reached tentative agreements regarding contracts for UC academic student employees (ASE) and graduate student researchers (GSR). These agreements aim to improve the compensation and benefits for these critical members of the university community.
Key provisions of the tentative agreements include:
- Minimum Salary Scales: The university would establish minimum salary scales for academic student employees, including teaching assistants and graduate student researchers.
- Multiyear Pay Increases: The agreements include provisions for multiyear pay increases, providing greater financial stability for GSRs and ASEs.
- Paid Dependent Access to Healthcare: A significant enhancement is the provision of paid dependent access to university health care, addressing a crucial need for student parents.
- Enhanced Paid Family Leave: The agreements also include improvements to paid family leave policies, offering greater support for GSRs and ASEs with family responsibilities.
Enhanced Benefits
Beyond salary increases, the agreements also include enhanced benefits for GSRs and ASEs:
- Child Care Reimbursements: GSRs and ASEs will be entitled to $1,350 per quarter or $2,025 per semester, plus $1,350 for summer. They will also receive an additional $100 per year, effective Oct. 1, 2023, and Oct. 1, 2024.
- Dependent Health Care Premiums: Eligible GSRs and ASEs with 25% or more appointments will continue to receive full remission of monthly premiums for a UC-sponsored student health plan. This ensures that these students have access to comprehensive health coverage.
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