UO GTFF Insurance Covers International Student Repatriation Costs

The University of Oregon’s Graduate Teaching Fellows Federation (GTFF) provides insurance coverage for the repatriation of remains to the home countries of international students who die whereas enrolled, up to $1 million per incident. The benefit, part of the union’s collective bargaining agreement, is a requirement for international graduate students holding F1 or J1 visas.

According to University of Oregon spokesperson Angela Seydel, the repatriation coverage is a service purchased through the GTFF’s insurance carrier, PacificSource, from Assist America, a partner of Scholastic Emergency Services (SES). SES offers a range of support services, including translation, medical evacuation, and emergency message transmission. Assist America provides 24-hour emergency support for both medical and non-medical situations.

Glenn Morris, GTFF Benefits Administrator, stated that because SES services are mandated for international graduate students on F1 or J1 visas, these students may be eligible to waive the University of Oregon’s International Student Health Benefits plan. Seydel confirmed that international students not covered by the GTFF also have access to repatriation and emergency evacuation services through the university’s International Student Health Benefits Plan, which requires a $1268 premium each term.

The GTFF’s collective bargaining agreement stipulates that the University of Oregon covers 95% of graduate employee health insurance premiums, with the graduate employee responsible for the remaining 5%. The GTFF represents over 1,400 Graduate Employees (GEs) at the University of Oregon, and has been in contract negotiations with the university since March 2023, according to the Oregon AFL-CIO.

The GTFF, an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers, has a history of advocating for graduate employee rights, dating back to its founding in 1975. Current GTFF president is Rye Davies, of the English department.