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A 10334

Phases out certain mandatory university fees for certain graduate students and adjunct staff

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Didi Barrett and 28 co-sponsors

Phased elimination of mandatory university fees for SUNY and CUNY graduate appointees, reducing to 25% in 2026–27 and fully exempt by 2027–28 (GSA fee excluded).

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Bill Summary · A 10334

Summary of Bill A. 10334 (2025-2026) – New York

Purpose and intent

  • This bill seeks to phase out mandatory university fees for graduate students in New York, specifically for students at state and city university systems who hold certain graduate appointments. The overarching goal is to reduce the burden of mandatory fees on graduate students over time, while preserving a single ongoing exception for the graduate student association (GSA) student activity fee.

Key provisions and changes

  • State University of New York (SUNY) graduate students (Section 1)

    • Effective academic year 2026–2027:
    • All current and future mandatory university fees (except the GSA student activity fee) shall be charged to SUNY graduate students serving in full-time or half-time appointments in the following roles:
      • Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA)
      • Graduate Assistant (GA)
      • Graduate Research Assistant (GRA)
      • Graduate Research Associate (GRAssoc)
      • Graduate Teaching Associate (GTAssoc)
    • Fees charged at only 25% of the full amount of all mandatory university fees (excluding the GSA activity fee).
    • Effective academic year 2027–2028 and thereafter:
    • No mandatory university fees shall be charged to these SUNY graduate students (excluding the GSA activity fee).

  • City University of New York (CUNY) graduate students (Section 2)

    • Beginning in the 2026–2027 academic year:
    • All current and future mandatory university fees (except the GSA student activity fee) shall be charged to CUNY graduate students serving in:
      • Graduate Assistant
      • Adjunct Instructor
      • Adjunct Lecturer
      • Adjunct College Laboratory Technician
      • Non-teaching Adjunct Staff Member
    • Fees charged at 25% of the full amount of all mandatory university fees (excluding the GSA activity fee).
    • Beginning in the 2027–2028 academic year and thereafter:
    • No mandatory university fees shall be charged to these CUNY graduate students (excluding the GSA activity fee).

  • GSA activity fee exclusion

    • In all sections, the bill explicitly excludes the graduate student association (GSA) student activity fee from the 25% calculation and from the eventual full exemption timeline. The GSA activity fee remains the sole mandatory fee not subject to phase-out.

Affected groups and entities

  • Primary beneficiaries
    • Graduate students at SUNY and CUNY who hold specified appointments (e.g., GTA, GA, GRA, adjunct roles, non-teaching adjunct staff) and who would otherwise pay mandatory university fees.
  • Institutions
    • State University of New York (SUNY) and City University of New York (CUNY) systems, including their graduate programs and administrative offices that administer fees.
  • Graduate Student Associations (GSA)
    • While GSAs are not the fee, their activity fees are the excluded portion of the fee structure and would continue to apply as a separate line item unaffected by the reduction/phasing.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Effective dates
    • SUNY: Phased approach
    • 2026–2027: 25% of mandatory fees for eligible graduate appointees
    • 2027–2028 onward: 0% mandatory fees (complete exemption for eligible graduate appointees)
    • CUNY: Identical phased approach
    • 2026–2027: 25% of mandatory fees for eligible graduate appointees
    • 2027–2028 onward: 0% mandatory fees (complete exemption for eligible graduate appointees)
  • Immediate effect
    • The act takes effect immediately upon enactment, but the substantive fee reductions and exemptions apply starting in the specified academic years.

Practical impact and considerations

  • Financial impact on students
    • For eligible graduate students in the 2026–2027 year, mandatory fees would be significantly reduced (to 25% of full fees, excluding GSA activity fee). Beginning in 2027–2028, eligible students would pay no mandatory university fees.
  • Budgetary impact on institutions
    • SUNY and CUNY would need to adjust fee schedules, budgeting, and teaching/research funding allocations to reflect the phased reductions in mandatory fees.
  • Broader context
    • This measure targets financial barriers for graduate students who support teaching, research, or other academic activities, potentially improving affordability and access for graduate education in New York.

If you’d like, I can provide a concise comparison table of current fees vs. phased amounts for SUNY and CUNY, or draft a one-page plain-language briefing for students and administrators.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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