Academic Student Workers - SENS-UAW
SENS-UAW Local 7902 has been on campus since 2017. This union represents approximately 1,000 Academic Student Workers, including teaching assistants, teaching fellows, research associates, research assistants, course assistants, and tutors.
General Information
Website: SENS-UAW Local 7902
On Campus Since 2017
Employees Represented: 1000
Work Group: Academic student workers, including Teaching Assistants, Teaching Fellows, Research Associates, Research Assistants, Course Assistants, and Tutors
Current Contract: 9/1/23 - 8/31/26
All academic student workers who belong to this union and supervisors of such employees must thoroughly review the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the university and Local 7902, UAW.
Tax Information for International Students
As an international student in the United States, you need to understand the tax requirements of your visa and your filing obligations with the International Revenue Service (IRS) for tax years that you are here in the United States. A tax year is the same as a calendar year (January 1-December 31). The type of paperwork you must complete and the taxes you must pay depend on whether you have income and whether you are considered a nonresident or resident for tax purposes. For more information, please visit the International Student and Scholar Services website.
Professional Development
Each ASW is eligible to be reimbursed for up to $500 per semester in accordance with the procedures for reimbursement outlined in the University’s Business and Travel Expense Policy. Pre-authorization for professional development funds is required; please complete the online application.
Covered expenses include one-time reimbursable expenses directly related to the ASW’s job-related professional development, such as: conference registration, travel expenses, hotel accommodations, gallery space rental, fees for workshops/courses not offered by the university. Specifically excluded expenses include all mandatory training as required by the university, equipment and materials, fees for service, time spent for Union- or employment-initiated trainings, per diem funding, and/or personal expenses not directly and exclusively related to the covered expenses named above.
Rebates
SENS-UAW Student Health Insurance Rebate Information
Pursuant to Article XXV: Healthcare Rebate of the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), an Academic Student Worker (ASW) will be eligible to receive a discount on the student healthcare insurance premiums if they meet the following criteria:
- The Academic Student Worker is enrolled in and pays for the university's Student Health Insurance Plan.
- Effective for the Fall 2024 semester, all Academic Student Workers matriculated in Doctor of Philosophy degree and Master’s degree programs at The New School hired as ASWs shall receive an 80% discount on student health insurance premiums. For all ASWs matriculated in degree programs at The New School other than Doctor of Philosophy or Master’s Programs, eligibility for the rebate is as follows:
- To receive the Tier 1 discount, the ASW must have worked at least an average of (10) hours per week (at least 150 hours per semester/session) in one (1) prior semester/session in unit position(s) as of or after Fall 2023; and must have been appointed to work at least an average of ten (10) hours per week (at least 150 hours per semester/session) in unit position(s) in the semester in which the rebate is sought.
- To receive the Tier 2 discount, the ASW must have worked at least an average of (10) hours per week (at least 150 hours per semester/session) in two (2) or more prior semesters/sessions in unit position(s) as of or after Fall 2023; and must have been appointed to work at least an average of ten (10) hours per week (at least 150 hours in the semester/session) in unit position(s) in the semester in which the rebate is sought.
Academic Student Workers will receive a Tier 1 discount of 50% or a Tier 2 discount of 65%. If the Academic Student Worker does not complete the appointment, then the healthcare credit will be removed from their student account.
For more information, please review our Student Health Insurance Rebate FAQs. Additional details can also be found in the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
University Services Fee Rebates
Pursuant to Article XXVII: University Services Fee Rebate, in a semester that an ASW works at least an average of five (5) hours per week (at least 75 hours per semester/session) in unit position(s), the ASW will receive a 100% rebate of the University Services Fee, including the International Student Services Fee.
What is a unit position?
Pursuant to the Recognition Clause, the unit positions for SENS-UAW are course assistant, research assistant, research associate, teaching assistant, teaching fellow, and tutor.
Do I need to apply for this rebate?
No, the university will determine eligibility at the end of each semester.
When should I expect to receive my University Services Fee rebate?
Rebates will be calculated at the end of the fall and spring semesters.
Benefits
The university uses a cloud-based Web HR system called MyDay to improve the way The New School provides key human resources services. For step-by-step instructions on how you can review your compensation information in MyDay, please refer to the Guide to Viewing Your Compensation.
Paid Family Leave (PFL)
Academic Student Workers are now eligible to take up to 12 weeks of leave from their ASW position; this leave is separate from any leave granted from coursework. General program information is available on the New York State Paid Family Leave website. The university will begin taking payroll deductions starting 9/20/24. To request to opt out of the program, please submit the Employee Opt-Out of Paid Family Leave Benefits Form to the Human Resources Office for approval. The deductions will stop only after approval.
Qualified Transportation Expense (QTE) Plan
Administered by EBPA, the QTE Plan enables you to reduce your taxable income by setting aside pre-tax dollars to pay for eligible commuting expenses. You can enroll in the plan or make changes to your account through MyDay by following these instructions. Your enrollment or change will take effect in the pay period following the date you submit the benefit event through MyDay.
Review the Qualified Transportation Expense Plan Summary for more information.
NYC Safe & Sick & Emergency Instance Leave
Per Article XXI of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, Academic Student Workers are entitled to take NYC Safe and Sick and/or Emergency Instance Leave. New procedures are now in place for tracking the use of Safe and Sick Leave and Emergency Instance. Review the Safe and Sick and Emergency Instance Time Off guide for information on eligibility and accruals as well as the updated process for requesting and tracking time off. Please note: Under the provisions of the NYC Paid Safe and Sick Leave Law, students working in Federal Work Study positions are excluded from eligibility for Safe and Sick Leave.
Questions?
- For questions concerning your SENS-UAW 7902 contract, please contact Labor Relations at laborrelations@newschool.edu.
- For questions concerning your health insurance, please contact studentinsurance@newschool.edu.
- For questions concerning your student account, please contact Student Accounts at myaccount@newschool.edu.
Additional Labor Relations Information
For questions, please contact the Human Resources office at HRhelp@newschool.edu.