ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Graduate Assistant Handbook

Important Information About This Handbook

This handbook pertains to graduate assistantships that are offered by, or in conjunction with, the ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ Graduate School. These assistantships are administered by individual colleges (including the Graduate School of Management), departments, principal investigators, and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ reserves the right to change any or all policies, procedures and rules, in whole or in part, at any time with or without notice. Major changes in policies, rules and procedures will be published. It is the responsibility of the graduate assistant to be aware of and abide by these changes.

In some instances, the special nature of the graduate assistant’s department or the grant on which a graduate assistant is working will require policies, rules or procedures that are unique to the needs of that area. Such policies, rules, or procedures will augment but cannot supersede those described in this handbook.

This handbook has been developed with input and review from the Office of General Counsel, the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs, the Office of International Education, the Raynor Memorial Libraries, the University Board of Graduate Studies, the Graduate Student Association and the Graduate Student Task Force. The Graduate School is grateful for the contributions of these groups and other individuals who participated in the development of this handbook.

Please reference the Graduate Assistantship Checklist for convenient reminders for tasks and requirements associated with graduate assistantships.

Table of Contents

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Section One: Welcome

Read Section 1

  1. Introduction
  2. Statement from the Dean
  3. Council of Graduate Schools Resolution Regarding Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees, and Assistants

Section Two: General Information

Read Section 2

  1. COVID-19 Information  
  2. Mission Statement and Statement of Human Dignity and Diversity
  3. The Assistantship
    • Purpose of an Assistantship
    • Types of Assistantships
    • Funding Sources for Assistantships

Section Three: Application and Selection Process

Read Section 3

  1. Eligibility
  2. Applying for a Graduate Assistantship
  3. Deadlines
  4. Selection
  5. International Students

Section Four: Policies

Read Section 4

  1. Disability Accommodation Regarding Assistantship Duties
  2. Duration of Award
  3. Duties and Assignments
  4. Employment Documents
    • I-9 Form
    • W4 Form
    • Social Security Number
    • Direct Deposit Form
  5. Award (Employment) Verifications
  6. Grievances
  7. Identification Cards
  8. Rescission of Assistantship
  9. Leave Provision
    • Short-Term Leave
    • Long-Term Leave
  10. Injuries in the Course of an Assistantship
  11. Outside Employment
  12. Registration and Enrollment Status
  13. Resignations
  14. Responding to Offers
  15. Severe Weather Policy
  16. Training for New Teaching Assistants
  17. Training for New Research Assistants

Section Five: Performance and Conduct

Read Section 5

  1. Performance Expectations
  2. General Standards of Conduct
    • Student Code of Conduct
    • Sexual harassment Policies and Title XI
    • Conflict of Interest
    • Racial Abuse and Harassment Policy
  3. Ethical Conduct of Research (for RAs)
  4. Academic Integrity
  5. Working with Confidential Information
    • FERPA
    • HIPAA

Section Six: Stipends and Prerequisites

Read Section 6

  1. Stipends
  2. Supplemental Stipends
  3. Tuition Scholarships
    • Amount of Scholarship
    • Distribution of Scholarship Credits in Fall, Spring, Summer Terms
    • Valid Courses
    • Disbursement of Scholarships
  4. Graduate Assistant Perquisites
    • Health Insurance (Supplemental Stipends)
    • Holidays
    • Library
    • PrintWise
    • Parking
    • Teaching Excellence Awards
    • Vacation and Sick Time
    • Bus Passes
    • Counseling Services

Section Seven: Responsibilities of the Assistant’s University Unit

Read Section 7

  1. Responsibilities of the Assistant’s University Department Overview
  2. Assignment of Duties and Responsibilities
  3. Performance Evaluation

Section Eight: Additional Resources

Read Section 8

  1. Additional Resources
  2. Getting Started Checklist