UT-Austin graduate students walk out amid legislative battles

University of Texas at Austin Archeology graduate students, left to right, Elijah Flemming, Grace Gibson, Anna Papile, Thomas Rover, Nathaniel Katz, Hayley Barnett and Susan Crane protest low wages and proposed federal legislation that would tax tuition exemptions as income during a graduate student walkout at UT on Wednesday Dec. 6, 2017. ( Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman via AP) less University of Texas at Austin Archeology graduate students, left to right, Elijah Flemming, Grace Gibson, Anna Papile, Thomas Rover, Nathaniel Katz, Hayley Barnett and Susan Crane protest low wages and proposed ... more Photo: Jay Janner, Associated Press Photo: Jay Janner, Associated Press Image 1 of / 23 Caption Close UT-Austin graduate students walk out amid legislative battles 1 / 23 Back to Gallery

University of Texas at Austin graduate students walked out from research and work responsibilities on Wednesday in protest of a tax that would hit tuition waivers under a House bill passed last month. 

“Overworked, underpaid,” they chanted.  Signs read: “Tuition is not income” and “I can't eat tuition waivers.” 

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University of Houston students considered a walkout on Wednesday as well, said Hannah Locke, a leader at UH’s Graduate and Professional Student Association.  The students might do so later in the week, she said. 

The provision is one of several that colleges and universities have pushed back against in the House and Senate tax bills.  Wealthy university endowments would also be taxed in both versions the legislation.  Lawmakers must now reconcile these bills for President Donald Trump’s signature. 

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Graduate students at UH and Rice University have written local lawmakers to express disagreement with the tuition waiver tax.  UH students passed out flyers on campus Monday, urging their peers to call elected officials about the provision. 

The Senate’s passed tax plan does not include a tax on tuition waivers.