*Dear CGE Members and Community,* *Quick Little Reminders* - *Please share affects of the health care change as well as your ideas on specific outcomes and contract language* you would like to see come out of impact bargaining with <healthcare@cge6069.org> healthcare@cge6069.org. - *The health care enrollment period is starting soon **(10/1-10/31)! **This is the period for:* - Out-of-network providers transitioning to be in-network for Cigna - Adding or removing any dependents - Waiving the plan if you have existing comparable coverage - *Don't forget to do the OSU required trainings* *Announcements* - *Welcome back!* With the start of the new academic year, I want to say welcome back (although we all know grads work over the summer) and wish everyone a good fall term. We are starting the term at a strange, uncertain time for the country, the future of higher education, and even OSU. Graduate school is hard work, and not something we can do alone in the simplest of times. As we navigate this year, the Coalition of Graduate Employees (CGE) and this newsletter will be a space for grads to support each other. - *Support DEI at OSU* Two *programs promoting Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at OSU are being terminated:* the Search Advocate Program (SAP), which focused on training about and implementing inclusive hiring practices, and the Social Justice Education Initiative (SJEI), which offered interactive, reflective workshops on social justice for faculty, graduate students, and staff. Higher education institutions are under pressure from the federal administration to remove DEI programs and services. In the face of these threats, it is the responsibility of the Oregon State University community to hold our university accountable to its commitments of supporting diversity and creating equitable outcomes for marginalized communities.* Please sign this petition <https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/petition-to-reverse-cancellations-of-dei-programs-at-osu?source=direct_link&> to show that we care about DEI at OSU.* - *Submit testimony for Health Care for All* The state of Oregon is currently developing and assessing a state-wide universal health care program and looking for public comment. Universal health care would protect people from the experience we've had of our healthcare changing unexpectedly based on our employers financial choices. *You can submit testimony to the Universal Health Care Governance Board here <https://www.oregon.gov/uhpgb/Pages/public-comment.aspx>*. There are also public meetings and lots of other ways to get involved at Health Care for All Oregon <https://www.hcao.org/take-action>! *Upcoming Events* - *Housing Rights Rally, this Saturday, 9/27 2-4pm, Chintimini Park* Show up and show support for public housing, rent control, and the decriminalization of homelessness, while enjoying free food and live music. Learn more at humanright.house. - *Fall BBQ, 10/4, 6-9pm, Lions Shelter, Avery Park* This year the Fall BBQ is also the CGE 25th Anniversary Party! Kick off the new academic year and celebrate our 25th birthday with food, drinks, music, and lots of games. Everyone is welcome, bring friends and maybe even make some new ones. I will see you there! [image: Flyer for the fall bbq, warm colors with a cartoon microphone, speaker and bottle dancing and information about the event.] In solidarity, Serena Frazee (she/her) VP for Communications, Coalition of Graduate Employees, AFT Local 6069 PhD Student in Integrative Biology, Oregon State University
