New York Assembly Bill A08799

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/6/25
• Refer: 6/6/25
• Report Pass: 6/11/25
• Refer: 6/11/25
• Report Pass: 6/12/25

Caption

Provides for the adjustment of stipends of certain incumbents in the state university of New York and designating moneys therefor; continues a doctoral program recruitment and retention enhancement fund; continues work-life services and pre-tax programs; continues a professional development committee; continues a comprehensive college graduate program recruitment and retention fund; continues a fee mitigation fund; continues a downstate location fund; continues a joint labor management advisory board; continues an accidental death benefit; makes an appropriation therefor.

Impact

Beyond the stipends, the bill extends funding for various initiatives aimed at supporting graduate students. This includes continuing the doctoral program recruitment and retention enhancement fund as well as establishing a comprehensive college graduate program recruitment and retention fund. These provisions are intended to bolster the financial support system surrounding graduate students, making it easier for SUNY to recruit and retain talent in critical academic disciplines, while also addressing financial barriers that may inhibit their success.

Summary

Bill A08799 is designed to provide a structured and systematic increase in stipends for graduate students within the State University of New York (SUNY) system. Specifically, it mandates a three percent increase in stipends for incumbents in the state university graduate student negotiating unit for the academic years 2023-2024, 2024-2025, and 2025-2026. This increase will be applied to ensure that graduate students receive appropriate compensation reflective of their roles within the university system, thereby enhancing recruitment and retention efforts for these positions.

Contention

While the bill focuses on financial benefits for graduate students, it also facilitates several key employee programs through collective bargaining agreements. However, there could be concerns regarding the sustainability of funding these initiatives, especially as the programs and benefits are tied to annual appropriations and budget allocations. Moreover, the bill introduces a joint labor management advisory board to address work-life services and programs, which may highlight ongoing discussions around workplace conditions for academic staff, suggesting that these discussions may face scrutiny depending on the economic climate and budgetary restrictions that the state encounters.