By Patrick Baron
NORMAL – Congressman Rodney Davis met with Illinois State University graduate students Tuesday to present the Graduate Assistant Parity Act, a new proposal that aims to create an even paying field for graduate students concerning their tuition waivers and how they are taxed.
Davis was joined by Zach Schroeder, a former ISU graduate student, and Brettney Birdwell, a graduate student getting her master’s degree this spring. Birdwell said due to the taxes on her waiver, she hasn’t make enough to fully support herself.
“My November and December paychecks were only $200 each – not even enough to pay my apartment rent, much less other living expenses,” Birdwell explained.
Davis said the bill, co-sponsored by Minnesota congressman Mike Capuano, would prevent the taxation of tuition waivers for all graduate students.
“All other graduate students, other than the research and teaching assistants, they are forced to still pay taxes on that reduced or that waived amount,” explained Davis. “Even though, as Zach can tell you and Brettney will tell you, they’ve never possessed that income.”
Davis said it’s unfair that only research and teaching assistants receive full tax exemptions.
“This isn’t a negotiating point, in my opinion. This is a point where you have to treat everybody fairly, and that’s exactly what we’re trying to do here,” Davis explained.
Birdwell, who works with undergraduate students, said it’s unfair that she and other graduate students are taxed on their waivers, considering she plays an influential role for undergraduates.
“I find it disappointing that this financial barrier has only been put in place against myself and my graduate assistant peers because of a perceived lack of contribution to Illinois higher education,” Birdwell explained.
Davis also said graduate student debt in the country is higher than auto debt and credit card debt combined. He doubts the proposal would affect graduate students who are planning to form a union.
Patrick Baron can be reached at [email protected].
