Departmental Policies for Graduate Assistants and Fellows

The following describes departmental policies concerning graduate assistants.

University guidelines for graduate assistants are available from the Graduate Assistant Employment Office

612-624-7070,

Donhowe Building,

319 15th Ave. S.E.,

http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/gae/.

Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Graduate assistants often receive appointments as teaching assistants (TAs (or research assistants (RAs) on a semester-by-semester basis for the academic year. There are no TA positions available in the summer. A summer appointment as an RA is arranged with the adviser or principal investigator in charge of a research project.

Renewal of graduate assistantships is contingent on satisfactory progress toward the graduate degree and availability of funds.

TA Duties

TAs are expected to help formulate and grade homework problems, laboratory projects, and exams. TAs typically have office hours during which students may seek help regarding homework or lab problems. TAs in lab courses are expected to provide instruction in and monitor laboratory work. On occasion a TA may be called upon to deliver lectures in a course. A 50% TA should expect to spend an average of 20 hours per week on TA duties. Some flexibility in weekly duties should be expected because course requirements (exams, problem sets, etc.) are not evenly distributed throughout the semester.

RA Duties

Duties of RAs are determined by mutual agreement between the RA and adviser/principal investigator of the project on which the RA is paid. The average time spent on department duties for a 50% time appointment is 20 hours per week. Nevertheless, when the thesis and assistantship work overlap, considerably more than 20 hours per week is required as the student is also working on his/her thesis and earning graduate (thesis) credits.

As a research assistant you should be aware that you are a part-time employee with responsibilities through your faculty supervisor to a granting agency. Before changing your work schedule or scheduling time off you should discuss the proposed change with your supervisor.

F-1 and J-1 visa holders cannot hold appointments greater than 50% time during the fall and spring terms.

An assistant, who has been discharged, disciplined, or has their financial support terminated because of unsatisfactory job performance or unsatisfactory academic progress is entitled to a written explanation of cause and description of their avenues of appeal. Provided that an appeal is made within two weeks of notification, assistants will be continued on payroll until the final decision regarding the appeal is made by the DGS.

Graduate fellowships awarded by the University or department typically provide a stipend, tuition and health insurance benefits for the duration specified in the award letter. Most fellowships are for a fixed term and they are not renewable on an indefinite basis. Fellows should read their letter of award carefully. The department makes every effort to provide continuous support in the form of research or teaching assistantship after the fellowship period, provided the student has made satisfactory academic progress. Fellows should select a faculty adviser and become involved in research prior to beginning the graduate program and no later than the end of the first semester of study.

Becoming actively involved in research increases the likelihood that financial support will be maintained. Continuation of a graduate fellowship appointment is contingent upon satisfactory progress toward the graduate degree and maintenance of superior scholarship in coursework. Specific details are provided in letters of award. Continuation of fellowship support for students who do not maintain satisfactory academic progress, as defined in this handbook and/or their letter of award, can only be obtained through successful appeal by the student and the student's adviser. Such appeals must be presented to the DGS at least a month before the time limit of satisfactory progress expires.

A graduate fellow who is disciplined or has their fellowship terminated because of unsatisfactory academic progress is entitled to a written explanation of cause and explanation of their avenues of appeal. Provided that appeal is made within two weeks of notification, fellows will be continued on payroll until the final decision regarding the appeal is made by the DGS.

The Graduate School Fellowship Office (http://www.grad.umn.edu/fellowships/index.html) administers a variety of fellowships and awards.

The Doctoral Dissertation Fellowships is awarded by the Graduate School. The department nominates its top Ph.D. candidates for this University-wide competition each spring. The nominees are selected by the GSC. Minimum requirements for consideration include a GPA greater than 3.8 and one or more peer-reviewed journal articles published. Students must have passed their preliminary oral exam and completed all their coursework to be eligible for this academic-year award.

These fellowships include stipend, tuition, and health insurance benefits.

Only competent tax attorneys and the U.S. Internal Revenue Service can give definitive information on federal income tax matters. Only the Minnesota State Department of Taxation can give definitive information on Minnesota income tax regulations. The Federal Tax Reform Act of 1986 made major changes in the tax regulations applicable to fellowships and assistantships. The net effect in general is to make all income that a student receives subject to taxation, except for tuition waivers (and fellowships to cover other direct expenses such as books and fees), regardless of whether the income is received as a fellowship or as a research/teaching assistantship. Students are advised to keep careful financial records and consult tax specialists for further advice. The University will withhold estimated taxes from assistantships, but does not automatically withhold income taxes from fellowship payments.

You can elect to have income taxes withheld by filling out the Graduate Fellowship Income Tax Withholding Request form.

For information on how to determine the withholding amount, and to download the form, see http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/payroll/gradfellow/index.html.

For information on exclusion from FICA (Social Security and Medicare Taxes) see http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/payroll/tax/graduate/index.html.

English Language Proficiency

The University of Minnesota requires high standards of English proficiency for nonnative English speaking students who are appointed to teaching assistant and instructor positions. Spoken proficiency is assessed in one of three ways:

– Internet-based TOEFL (speaking subscore),

– SETTA (Spoken English Test for Teaching Assistants),

– Final exam taken after coursework in the Intern1ational TA Program.

Scores on these assessments are converted into numerical English Language Proficiency (ELP) ratings which correspond to eligibility for various teaching responsibilities (i.e., higher proficiency corresponds with more demanding instructional responsibilities.)

For ELP ratings lower than 1, one to three semesters of ITA Program coursework is required.

For ELP ratings see http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/teachlearn/graduate/itap/settaeligibility/index.html

For SPEAK test registration information, please see http://www1.umn.edu/ohr/teachlearn/graduate/itap/schedule/index.html

ELP 1

You have an ELP of 1 if you scored 27-30 on the TOEFL iBT speaking section OR earned 1 on the SETTA, or passed the GRAD 5105 final exam. With this rating:

· You are eligible for all instructional responsibilities.

· You are not required to take any courses in the International TA Program

ELP 2

You have an ELP of 2 if you scored 23-26 on the TOEFL iBT speaking section OR earned 2 on the SETTA, or passed the GRAD 5102 final exam. With this rating:

· You are eligible for all instructional responsibilities but must be enrolled in GRAD 5105 while working as a TA or instructor in a class, lab, recitation, discussion online or face to face.

· No International TA Program coursework is required if you are grading, tutoring, holding office hours, or proctoring.

ELP 4

You have an ELP of 4 if you scored 18-22 on the TOEFL iBT speaking section OR earned 4 on the SETTA. With this rating:

· You are eligible only to tutor, hold office hours, grade, or proctor but must be enrolled in GRAD 5102 while holding a TA position.

· You are not eligible to teach online or face to face in a class, lab, recitation, or discussion.

ELP 5

You have an ELP of 5 if you scored <18 on the TOEFL iBT speaking section OR earned 5 on the SETTA. With this rating:

· You are not eligible to hold any TA positions.

· We recommend these courses through the Minnesota English Language Program (MELP): ESL 3602 or ESL 3551.

· You may retake the SETTA upon successful completion of any MELP ESL course.

Contact Barbara Beers for more information.