The primary source of financial support for our graduate students is a Graduate Employee appointment (GE) in teaching or research. GE appointments provide a salary and a full tuition waiver plus a contribution towards the non-instructional fees. These fees cover various miscellaneous things, including a free Lane Transit District bus pass.
An added benefit of a GE appointment is individual health insurance during the academic year. Family members can be added for a subsidized rate. During the summer, GE’s with summer appointments continue to receive health insurance. If you do not have a summer appointment, you must pay for your own coverage during the summer. There is some additional information about health insurance for international students on the University Health Center page.
Research GE Appointments and the Vitulli Scholars Program
Research appointments are less common but some students receive them in the summer or for a regular academic-year term later in the program. GEs employed for research have no teaching or grading responsibilities, but are expected to work actively toward research goals as identified by an advisor, where appropriate.
One exception is for students recruited into the Vitulli Scholar Program who receive Research appointments for their entire first year in the program. The Vitulli Scholars Program, named after Professor Emerita Marie Vitulli, is aimed at recruiting and retaining a more diverse graduate student body. Students in the program will have Research GE appointments in their first year.
Other Funding Sources
The department makes funds available to help graduate students attend conferences and participate in other research opportunities through the Theodore W. Palmer Graduate Travel Fellowship. This fellowship is partially funded by a generous gift from a friend and former student of Theodore Palmer.