The Humanities Graduate Student Association is extremely pleased to be able to announce that graduate students in the School of Humanities who began their studies in AY11, 12, 13, and 14 (Fall 2010 through Spring 2014) will see their stipends increased to $21,000 yearly beginning AY15 (Fall 2014). In addition, these graduate students will now have stipends distributed over a 12-month period,  rather than the previous 9-month distribution cycle.

As a reminder, graduate students may still further increase their income through certificate programs from 3CT and CSWGS, by completing a Mellon interdisciplinary graduate seminar through the HRC, teaching a FWIS course, or by securing outside funding. Additional graduate student funds coming from department escrow accounts should not be affected.

HGSA received the news today from a very excited Dean of Humanities. Dean  Shumway deserves immense credit for his commitment and great efforts to securing the funding for this stipend increase—and we hope he knows how grateful we all are. He and his staff have taken the time to meet with HGSA officers regularly, working with us closely to address the needs of  graduate students and helping to grow our community.

We are also extremely grateful to the Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies—especially Dean Paula Sanders and Vice Provost for Academic Affairs, Graduate Studies Arnaud Chevalier, and the staff—for their enthusiastic support throughout this process.

Our departments and our chairs, faculty, and staff throughout the School have been working hard for a long time to add to the quality of work and life for their graduate students. For all their effort and support, we are delighted to extend our deep and sincere gratitude. Make sure to let all those who helped in this effort know how much it has meant.

More than anything, this collective achievement demonstrates the unity and strength of the Humanities at Rice University. It continues to be an honor for us all to work alongside so many passionate colleagues to further strengthen our graduate programs now and into the future.