About

We’re the Graduate Student Employee Union (GSEU), and we’re fighting for economic justice, shared governence, and community for all graduate workers at Northern Illinois University. Find us on instagram or discord, or send us an email.

We’ve been hard at work, getting the word out and meeting fellow grad students to record their signatures. We need 2/3 of graduate employees to sign a union card to have our union recognized by the university. We’re currently halfway to our goal, and we’re aiming to close the gap in Fall of 2026. If you want to see us meet our goal, please volunteer to help out.

Mission Statement

Below is a draft, which is subject to change.

Advocate for economic justice for all graduate workers

Graduate workers serve as pillars holding up the institution of NIUthe educational system as educators, researchers, and office staff. As such, all graduate employees deserve the same privileges provided to other university employees including but not limited to fair compensation, employer provided insurance plans, and fee waivers.

Promote systems of shared governance at NIU

The GSEU believes in a decentralized power structure. Therefore, we promote a system of shared governance within the University with power distributed equitably amongst workers and their representative groups.

Build and strengthen community amongst graduate workers across all disciplines

Collective power is built and maintained by the strength of the community. The GSEU seeks to increase communication and networking amongst the multitude of disciplines across NIU.

The GSEU promotes equity, security, and dignity for all regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender or gender expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, ancestry, class, caste, or any other salient identity, protected or otherwise. (Stolen from Rutgers but I really like the phrasing)

Show solidarity with other collectives both within and outside of NIU to further the advancement of collective strength

The GSEU stands in solidarity with other collective bargaining units at NIU and elsewhere as equity in the workplace must be seized and maintained through unified efforts.

Advance educational opportunities at NIU

The GSEU believes that education and the opportunity to be an educator should be accessible to all. The GSEU advocates for educational accessibility both on and off campus. We strive to work with other groups in our community to promote equitable programs and increase public good.