The rally was organized by the Graduate Student Organizing Congress, a campus political group focused on unionizing graduate students. Headed by Andrew Seligshon, a political science graduate student, the protesters laid out demands while an energetic crowd voiced its support. He and other speakers said the University should provide graduate students with the same benefits and respect as other school employees. Graduate students do 45 percent of the Twin Cities Campus' teaching, yet collect minimal compensation, said Brigetta Abel, a German doctoral student and member of the Graduate Student Steering Committee. Medica, the University's health care provider since 1996, covers only the most basic of needs.
Any additional services come at a high cost.
Under Medica, graduate student dental coverage takes care of preventative care such as teeth cleaning and general checkups. Such extra costs hit graduate students hard. And for a single parent, the costs push coverage well out of reach, said some students. Those students suffering from chronic health care problems like diabetes are at an even greater loss with Medica. When the University changed plans two years ago, many had to switch doctors and medications.