Graduate U-Pass: Student Transit Feedback Will Inform Negotiations

Graduate students rely on transit to get to classes, laboratories, teaching assignments and campus services. Many also continue their academic work through spring and summer. The GSA is awaiting the transit results of the Student Experience Survey, open until October 30, and is preparing to use that feedback in upcoming U-Pass negotiations.

There is a clear value question to address. The published GSA fall 2026 U-Pass fee is $132.21, compared with the $100.94 undergraduate term fee approved for 2026–27. The graduate agreement also does not provide a spring or summer U-Pass, even though those months can be active research and work periods. Undergraduate students have separate spring and summer pass options. The GSA wants negotiations to account for what graduate students pay, when they need transit and what coverage they can actually use.

Survey responses can make those needs concrete. A student might depend on a route for an early laboratory shift, travel across the city for a placement, or need affordable transit during summer research. We encourage graduate students to complete the Student Experience Survey by October 30 and answer its transit questions. The resulting evidence will help the GSA identify priorities and bring student experiences into discussions with transit partners. No new agreement has been reached