The complete handbook of Teaching Assistant employment guidelines may be found here: https://policies.utexas.edu/policies/teaching-assistants. Best practices of TAs and TA agreements may be found here: https://gradschool.utexas.edu/TA-instructor-agreements
The complete handbook of Assistant Instructor employment guidelines may be found here: https://policies.utexas.edu/policies/assistant-instructors. Best practices of AIs and AI agreements may be found here: https://gradschool.utexas.edu/AI-supervisor-agreements.
The complete handbook of Graduate Research Assistant employment guidelines may be found here: https://secure2.compliancebridge.com/utexas/public/getdoc.php?file=9-2030. Best practices of GRAs and GRA agreements may be found here: https://gradschool.utexas.edu/GRA-supervisor-agreements.
Complete graduate school policies regarding Grad Student Academic Appointments: https://gradschool.utexas.edu/academic-employment.
University of Texas TA, GRA, and AI employment dates by semester:
Fall: September 1 – January 15. Paycheck dates are October 1 – February 1.
Spring: January 16 – May 31. Paycheck dates are February 1 – June 1.
Pay and Benefits
Pay
20-hour TA, AI, and GRA pay rates are set by the College of Liberal Arts and rates are published here.
Student Employee Benefits
TAs, AIs, and GRAs* (*GRAs if included in offer letter) working at least 20 hours per week are eligible for a Tuition Reduction Benefit, applied directly to tuition, in the amount of COLA tuition $4,464. 20-hour per week positions are benefits-eligible, and include employer-paid health insurance through UT Academic Blue. TAs, GRAs, and AI working at least 20 hours per week are also eligible for in-state tuition, which must be requested by the student each semester.
Students working less than 20 hours are not eligible for benefits.
TA, AI, and GRA Employment Eligibility
The Graduate School maintains a webpage with conditions of employment. These conditions require that students:
- Make satisfactory progress toward a graduate degree without existing conditional admission requirements;
- Remain registered for at least nine semester hours of coursework in fall or spring semesters, or three semester hours for summer appointments. This does not include enrollment in University Extension courses or Independent Study and Research, and;.
- Maintain at least a 3.0 grade-point average; and
- Must not have more than two grades of X, I, NC, D or F in any combination.
20/30 Hour Limit
Assignments in a student job title at the university, including academic as well as non-academic positions, may not exceed 20 hours per week during the first 2 long semesters (fall/spring) of graduate study at UT Austin, and no more than 30 hours per week during the subsequent semesters, including summer. There are exceptions for spring break, summer, and winter break, as listed here.
International Students
International students who will be employed as teaching assistants or assistant instructors must have minimum English language proficiency scores or obtain the International Teaching Assistant English Certification. See directions and exemptions here: https://global.utexas.edu/english-language-center/resources/international-teaching-assistants.
International students may work as many as 20 hours per week during the fall and spring semesters. Full-time employment (21-40 hours per week) is allowed only during the following times for enrolled and continuing students:
- Spring Break (5 weekdays, plus the Saturday and Sunday before and after);
- Summer (day after May graduation through day before August classes start);
- Winter Break (day after December graduation through day before January classes start).
TA Specific Duties
The Handbook of Operating Procedures (HOP) defines the general job description for teaching assistants (HOP 9-2020) as graduate students who help faculty with the conduct and delivery of courses. TA work assignments are determined per the needs of the unit’s faculty and department schedule. TAs are under the supervision of a regular member of the faculty. Duties include but are not limited to:
- Meet with assigned class each week for the full time it meets; arrive early, leave late, and set example of good work habits
- Read the assigned texts and attempt to understand materials in order to grade accurately
- Grade, evaluate student work, and proctor exams; if applicable; provide feedback to the instructor about class performance
- Assist instructor in keeping class order and a positive working environment; follow instructor’s lead in how class is structured; assist instructors in class demonstrations when necessary
- Be helpful and attentive to students needs
- Perform clerical tasks associated with course instruction
- Hold office hours for student assistance
- Get training in, be aware of, and communicate safety policies and practices; communicate information about student injuries and dangerous conditions to instructor immediately;
- Stay for any responsibilities through the week after the last day of class
TAs are prohibited from regular classroom instruction and may not serve as the instructor of record. TAs may lecture under the direct supervision of the instructor for mentoring/training purposes, and only with the consent, prior agreement, and preparation of the TA. TA duties may NOT include assisting with instructor’s research, administrative, or personal tasks.
TAs and instructors should also agree upon methods for communicating during the semester (email, phone, in-person discussions). If any situations arise, please communicate with your faculty instructor. Remember that student information must be kept confidential. There are strict FERPA regulations concerning student grades and confidentiality.
Students are encouraged to use the Center for Teaching and Learning’s resources for training and support.
Time management and Leave
TAs, GRAs, and AIs are appointed in positions with scheduled weekly hours. They do not submit time sheets. TAs, GRAs, and AIs may not be asked by the instructor to work more, on average, than their weekly hours for a course. It is good practice to establish a regular weekly schedule at the beginning of the semester, accounting for time needed to accomplish duties.
Student employees do not accrue vacation time or sick leave. TAs, GRAs, and AIs should contact instructors as soon as possible regarding planned or unplanned absences. Similarly, the student employees and instructors should address expectations for working during exam periods and breaks (excluding official university holidays). Student employees should not leave town before the final grades are turned in; help is needed with assigning final grades. Any leaves of absence during the period of employment including conferences and personal time off, must have prior approval by the instructor.
Performance Evaluations
At the end of the employment period, TA and AI performance is evaluated by the instructor and students. TAs and AIs will have the opportunity to review and discuss evaluations. Evaluations are kept on file by the department. Students generally evaluate TAs and AIs through the Course-Instructor Survey, but programs may choose to use additional performance assessment tools.
If problems are identified, performance improvement plans should be developed and agreed upon by the student employee and instructor.
Performance Guidelines
Student employees are expected to meet work performance standards established by their supervisor, department, and university. Examples of poor performance may include (but are not limited to) the following:
- Repeated tardiness absence, or unavailability for work, or without proper notification to the supervisor or without satisfactory reasons;
- Violating safety rules or accepted safety practices; creating or contributing to unhealthy or unsanitary conditions;
- Failing to meet a reasonable objective measure of efficiency and productivity, wasting time during work hours;
- Failing or refusing to follow instructions, meet deadlines, or complete designated work; failing to
cooperate with supervisors, or disruptive or disorderly conduct; - Failing to follow Responsible Conduct of Research protocols or other established procedures.
Title IX
University policy prohibits sexual interactions or romantic relationships, including consensual relationships, between an employee and an undergraduate student. Be mindful when interacting with students, and make sure to maintain appropriate boundaries.
As an employee of the University, you must complete Title IX training. If you witness or receive information about sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence or stalking that involves a current student or employee, you must promptly report the incident to the University’s Title IX Coordinator or a Deputy Title IX Coordinator. Reports may be made by phone at (512) 471-0419, email at titleix@austin.utexas.edu, or online at https://titleix.utexas.edu/file-a-report. An employee who does not report an incident or who makes a false report is subject to termination and may be charged with a criminal offense. For more information about employee responsibilities under Title IX, including information about confidential employee reporting exceptions, please visit the Title IX website at http://titleix.utexas.edu.
Grievance and dispute resolution processes
TAs, AIs, and GRAs should contact their faculty instructor, Graduate Advisor, and/or Graduate Coordinator if a dispute arises. The Graduate School provides a summary of grievance procedures for graduate students. If the TA’s grievance is specifically related to employment, the procedure is outlined in HOP 9-2050. LLILAS will refer to UT Human Resources, which provides guidelines for student employment management and employment separations when performance problems cannot be resolved.