Graduate Assistants are, first and foremost, graduate students pursuing an education. The opportunity to work closely with faculty and undergraduate students in teaching and research environments is an integral part of your education. The University and BIOE department are committed to ensuring that graduate assistant assignments are productive, enhance student qualifications, meet funding support and workload goals, and are consistent with your educational and program objectives.

Each semester, the Graduate School, with the support of the BIOE department, asks students to complete a Statement of Mutual Expectations (form could be found here) to describe and clarify the duties, responsibilities, and procedures that make for a productive appointment as a Graduate Assistant every semester. A Statement of Mutual Expectations (SME) is a written document that outlines the nature of an assistantship and its supervision. It is not a formal contract, but rather a structured conversation to ensure that a graduate student and their supervisor have a clear understanding of what to expect from each other. The department will send reminders about this process at the beginning of each semester.

If an issue arises related to workload or other concerns, students are encouraged to first consult with their supervisor in an attempt to resolve the difficulty. The Bioengineering Graduate Office is also available to offer support and advice before or after a meeting with a supervisor. If an issue is not resolved, students may speak with the Associate Chair of Graduate Studies and/or Chair of the Department. Should the need arise, a Grievance Procedure is detailed in Policies for Graduate Assistantships (go.umd.edu/ga-policies). Students may also consult confidentially with the Graduate School Ombuds Office (go.umd.edu/gs-ombuds) for guidance and support in addressing concerns.