Graduate group readies constitution

A new document awaiting approval could give graduate students more money, better working conditions and a union to fight for them one day.\nThe Graduate Employees Organization began casting ballots to ratify its constitution at its first mass meeting Thursday night.\nThe proposed constitution lists among its objectives the advocacy for "better stipends, benefits and working conditions for Indiana University's graduate employees." All graduate students who pay dues would be eligible to join the GEO, according to the proposed document.\nThe organization welcomes opinions about the constitution and can amend it if members vote against it, Department of English graduate student Ursula McTaggart said .\nThe two-year-old GEO based its framework on other graduate student union constitutions because they've had more experience, McTaggart said.\nThe GEO steering committee created the constitution because it wanted to formalize the organization, increase efficiency and create positions so members can take active roles, Department of English member Morgan Fritz said.\nProposed positions include two coordinators who will act as a president and vice president, a treasurer, two communications officers and a technical support officer, McTaggart said. The organization hopes to hold elections later this semester.\nLast year, the GEO doubled its membership to 405 and aims for another 200 percent increase so the group can have a greater presence before asking IU for formal recognition as a union, Fritz said.\nCurrently, the GEO identifies itself as a democratic union that advocates for graduate employees and works informally with the Communication Workers of America, according to the proposed constitution.\nThe CWA is a union that represents IU's support staff.\nAlthough unionizing will help graduate employees advocate more effectively for better benefits, the GEO acts for these issues now.\nThursday's meeting occurred three days after the organization presented IU President Adam Herbert with a petition to grant dental care insurance to graduate employees. The GEO has yet to hear a reply from Herbert and plans to inquire about his response if the petition remains unheard after a couple of weeks, GEO member Adrianne Wadewitz said.\nIU spokesman Larry MacIntyre did not return phone calls by press time.\nIf Herbert denies their request, Wadewitz said the GEO will try again using different methods.\nAbsent members can vote from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday at the Herman B Wells Library. The GEO Steering Committee meets at 4 p.m. Mondays in the Commons of the Indiana Memorial Union.