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S 9034

Phases out certain mandatory university fees for graduate students

2025 Regular Session Introduced by April Baskin and 11 co-sponsors

The bill phases out mandatory university fees for SUNY and CUNY graduate-appointee students, reducing to 25% in 2027–2028 and fully eliminating them in 2028–2029 (activity fee excl

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Bill Summary · S 9034

Summary of Bill S. 9034 (2025-2026) – New York

Bill Overview

  • Title: An act to amend the education law to phase out certain mandatory university fees for graduate students.
  • Introduced by: Senator Stavisky (with multiple co-sponsors listed)
  • Jurisdiction: New York
  • Status: Introduced January 27, 2026; referred to the Senate Committee on Higher Education (with subsequent actions noted in History: amendment and recommit on Feb 6, 2026)
  • Effective date: Immediate implementation upon enactment

Purpose and Intent

The bill aims to reduce and eventually eliminate mandatory university fees charged to graduate students who are employed in graduate appointments (e.g., teaching assistants, research assistants, adjunct roles) at-state supported institutions (SUNY and CUNY). The overarching goal is to lessen the financial burden of mandatory fees on graduate students while they are in specific employment-based roles.

Key Provisions

SUNY (State University of New York)

  • Section 1 – Subdivision 2, Education Law § 355, new subparagraph 12:
    • Two-stage phasing for SUNY graduate students:
    • Academic year 2027–2028: All current and future mandatory university fees (excluding the Graduate Student Association Student Activity Fee) would be charged to SUNY graduate students serving in full-time or half-time graduate appointments (e.g., teaching assistants, graduate assistants, research assistants, research associates, or teaching associates) at 25% of all mandatory university fees (excluding the activity fee).
    • Academic year 2028–2029 and thereafter: No mandatory university fees shall be charged to these students (excluding the activity fee).

CUNY (City University of New York)

  • Section 2 – Education Law § 6206, new subdivision 24:
    • Two-stage phasing for CUNY graduate students:
    • Academic year 2027–2028: All current and future mandatory university fees (excluding the Graduate Student Association Student Activity Fee) would be charged to graduate students serving as:
      • Graduate assistants
      • Adjunct instructors or lecturers
      • Adjunct college laboratory technicians
      • Non-teaching adjunct staff members at 25% of all mandatory university fees (excluding the activity fee).
    • Academic year 2028–2029 and thereafter: No mandatory university fees shall be charged to these students (excluding the activity fee).

General Exclusions

  • In both SUNY and CUNY provisions, the Graduate Student Association Student Activity Fee is explicitly excluded from the fee calculations in both phasing steps.

Affected Parties

  • Graduate students employed in eligible appointments at SUNY campuses (teaching assistants, graduate assistants, research/teaching roles) will be phased from 100% of mandatory fees to 25% of fees in 2027–2028, and to no mandatory fees in 2028–2029 onward.
  • Graduate students employed in eligible appointments at CUNY campuses (graduate assistants, adjunct instructors/lecturers, adjunct staff) will be phased similarly: 25% of fees in 2027–2028, then 0% in 2028–2029 onward.
  • The measure does not eliminate the Graduate Student Association Activity Fee.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Phase-in timeline:
    • 2027–2028: 25% of mandatory university fees for affected graduate-appointee students (excluding activity fee).
    • 2028–2029: 0% of mandatory university fees (excluding activity fee).
  • Immediate effect upon enactment: The act states it shall take effect immediately.
  • Legislative process: Referred to committees with subsequent amendments and recommittal noted on February 6, 2026.

Potential Impacts and Considerations

  • Financial relief for graduate students: Reducing or eliminating mandatory fees could significantly lower out-of-pocket costs for graduate students with assistantships or teaching roles.
  • Budget implications for SUNY and CUNY: The temporary shift to partial (25%) fees in 2027–2028 and full elimination in 2028–2029 would affect the revenue streams from mandatory fees; institutions may need to adjust budgets or funding sources accordingly.
  • Equity considerations: The policy targets graduate-appointee students, potentially benefiting those who rely on assistantships for funding.
  • Exclusions: The policy retains the Graduate Student Association Activity Fee as the sole exception to fee elimination.

If you’d like, I can tailor this summary to a particular audience (students, administrators, policymakers) or compare it to existing fee structures and current funding models.

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

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