Graduate Student    Teaching Assistantships

The duties of a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) are primarily in support of teaching and teaching related duties. Such duties may include, but are not limited to: preparing and conducting seminars, discussion groups and laboratory sessions to supplement lectures; maintaining regular office hours to meet with students; assisting in the preparation and administration of examinations; and grading examinations, term papers and laboratory reports. The duties of a GTA are to help prepare the Graduate Assistant for further academic and professional opportunities. In view of this, GTA functions shall not include routine duties commonly associated with clerical, technical, or administrative work not directly related to instructional activities. 

 The duties of a GTA are performed under the supervision and direction of a Graduate Assistantship Supervisor using published departmental guidelines. Graduate Assistantship  Supervisor can and does include,  undergraduate course Principal Instructors as well.

 The relationship between the Graduate Assistantship Supervisor and GTA is an employment relationship. 

 The Graduate Assistantship Supervisor and the GTA will meet at the start of the term to develop a work plan, a manageable schedule, to confirm expectations, and complete the Graduate Assistantship Time Use Guidelines.  The discussion should cover such issues as the amount of time to be spent on various aspects of the assignment (e.g. training, grading papers, course preparation, research, and related duties). 

The Graduate Assistantship Time Use Guideline form must be completed by the Assistantship Supervisor and graduate student, together, at the start of each University Term. This does not replace the requirement for a Letter of Appointment. The purpose of this form is to outline the estimated hours necessary to complete the assigned duties and tasks, as well as ensure that the required duties can be performed within the assigned hours. 

Note: a Research Assistant performing duties which are not directly related to their own research cannot work more than 192 hours in a four-month term.