1 Graduate Assistantship OrientationAcademic Year
2 Welcome! The Graduate School Jeffrey Potteiger, PhD, FACSMDean of Graduate Studies Mark Luttenton, PhD Associate Dean Irene Fountain Assistant to the Dean Jennifer Palm Assistant to the Graduate School Kelsey Stevenson, MS Graduate Assistant (1st year) Eugenia Browner Undergraduate Student Assistant Kelley Heynen
3 GA Benefits & Responsibilities Do’s & Don’ts: Policies & ProceduresToday’s Orientation GA Benefits & Responsibilities The GA Experience Do’s & Don’ts: Policies & Procedures
4 What is a Graduate Assistantship?Financial support in exchange for contractual work experience that supports your graduate education Experience (research, teaching, application) that complements your program of study An opportunity to build technical and professional skills and gain valuable experience Initial steps towards a chosen career or discovery of possible career paths, including doctoral studies
5 What are the benefits of a GVSU GA?Tuition Remission Varies by Appointment Length Half-time, 9-mos AY = 9 cr hr (4.5 cr hrs in Fall; 4.5 cr hrs in Winter) Full-time, 9-mon AY = 18 cr hr (9 cr hrs in Fall; 9 cr hrs in Winter) Full-Time 10-mos = 21 cr hr (9 cr hrs in Fall; 9 cr hrs in Winter; 3 cr hr in summer) Full-time 12-mos = 24 cr hr (9 cr hrs in Fall; 9 cr hrs in Winter; 6 cr hrs in summer) *Not applicable to UG courses (< 500 number)
6 What are the benefits of a GA?Stipend $2,000 per semester for half-time appointments $4,000 per semester for full-time appointments $4,000 for summer semester for those with 12-mos appointments Free parking (no payment for student sticker) Health care access
7 What are the responsibilities of a GVSU GA?To provide skills and services to faculty/units/offices to enhance teaching, scholarship, service or other outcomes of the unit to which assigned… ½ time appointments = 10 clock hours/wk Full time appointments = 20 clock hours/wk No requirement to work over university breaks, i.e., any time classes are not in session Unless a supervisor specifies otherwise, as pre-arranged with the GA
8 What’s expected of a GVSU GA?Adherence to policies and procedures (FERPA, confidentiality, etc.) Effective, timely communication Good interpersonal skills & teamwork Effective use of time and resources Personal responsibility and integrity Problem solving Solid, dependable work ethic Consistent professionalism Emotional balance and optimism Generic abilities expected Unit orientations are required Complete an orientation
9 Essential information for GVSU GAsPay periods listed on Student Employment website 1st full paycheck scheduled for May 30, 2017 Benefits of direct deposit (earlier, more secure) For any appt > 9 mos, paychecks are scheduled through breaks Length of employment May 8, 2017 through August 8, 2017 for Spring-Summer ‘17 appts Vacation GAs do not receive vacation other than university breaks and holidays Tax requirements Federal and Michigan (I9 & W4) GAs must file a city tax form if working in GR, Muskegon, Detroit, regardless of residence Tuition waiver is taxable income if assignment is not research or teaching
10 Questions at this point?
11 GA Benefits & Responsibilities Do’s & Don’ts: Policies & ProceduresToday’s Orientation GA Benefits & Responsibilities The GA Experience Do’s & Don’ts: Policies & Procedures
12 The GVSU GA Experience…Participate in orientation Important to meet & greet staff Prevents confusion and provides for a good start Specific information regarding your job responsibilities and assignments Learn your rights and what’s expected of you in the position Importance of going through orientation How are complaints/grievances resolved? How will I be evaluated – methodology & frequency? What have previous GA experiences been like? Could this GA position be renewed? Ask questions…
13 Task Assignment & CompletionTasks assigned to GAs should challenge students to levels of success that can be reached by building new and better skills… Build skill upon skill; develop abilities Progress from simple to more complex, mature challenges Develop a ‘working trust’ with colleagues and supervisor What if this is not the case for you? Seek challenge and take the initiative to talk with your supervisor Don’t settle for the minimum as the ‘standard of excellence’ A GA is a learning experience, not just a job, so seize the opportunity
14 Task Assignment & CompletionRespect timelines and deadlines and comply with them Ask for progress or due dates; how will progress be tracked? If you finish tasks early, ask for the next one(s) Provide a weekly summary of where you are in what you’re assigned If deadlines are unclear or open-ended, ask for more structure Demonstrate progress towards independence of decision-making Reflects proven competence and dependability in getting the job done Keeps the challenge level of the GA appropriate to your skills/abilities Learn your limits (don’t over-reach or under-perform)
15 Supervision and FeedbackSome GA positions require more supervision, others may require less. Generally, the level of supervision provided during your GA changes, depending on outcomes. As your skills/outcomes improve, supervision may be less necessary You should seek the level of supervision you need for success over the course of your GA (early, middle, late) Supervision should be available to you if you need it; if not, take the initiative to ask for it. All supervisors should provide you feedback (formal and informal) on a timely basis. Weekly meetings, on a schedule, as needed Seek opportunities to provide your supervisor feedback Without feedback, how do GAs and supervisors improve? Note: Primary Supervision should be given by Professional Staff or Faculty Member
16 Evaluation Every GA should undergo some form of evaluation process (formal or informal) before ending the appointment Process could be formative, focusing on strengths and things to improve; could be done regularly, at mid-point and/or conclusion Process could be summative (more formal; “here’s how you did…”) Could be structured evaluation with GA knowing the areas assessed GAs should evaluate their supervisors by providing honest, open comments and suggestions for improvement of the GA experience TGS has an online evaluation for completion at the end of the academic year
17 Questions at this point?
18 GA Benefits & Responsibilities Do’s & Don’ts: Policies & ProceduresToday’s Orientation GA Benefits & Responsibilities The GA Experience Do’s & Don’ts: Policies & Procedures
19 GA Policies & ProceduresForms that need to be completed to be paid I-9 Requires original documentation for proof Everyone must file at least 3 days prior to employment start W-4 (how much withholding tax you prefer) Grand Rapids W-4 confuses students when asked…”what percentage of your work will occur in Grand Rapids?” 100% if your work is on Pew Campus (Bicycle Factory, CHS, DeVos, Eberhard/Keller/Kennedy, Seidman Stipend payment Direct Deposit Complete a direct deposit form upon hire Submit to Student Employment Paycheck pick-up (if no direct deposit) every 2 weeks at Student Assistance Centers DeVos Center or Student Services Building (Allendale)
20 Tuition Students are responsible for tuition that the GA tuition waiver does not cover For example, ½ time GA must pay for any credits beyond 4.5 credit hours Tuition must be paid before the tuition deadline or automatic course drops will occur Be aware!.. Banner may take awhile to show your payments If students pay their tuition before the waiver is applied, it may take several weeks for their refund to be processed If a credit card is used, a refund will be credited to their account by the next billing cycle (~ 2-4 wks)
21 GA work assignments should correspond with the job descriptionSome deviation may be necessary depending on needs of the hiring person or unit Supervisors are responsible for requesting a computer/ login for their GAs GAs are not expected to use their personal or student addresses GAs should not be used in place of clerical staff but should enhance the GA’s academic experience Routine filing, copying, answering phones, etc., are not to be regular duties Working from an offsite location is discouraged unless prior approval is given by a supervisor
22 Work Schedule Class attendance is the first priority for all GAsGAs are not expected to work when they have a class Supervisors and GAs should discuss work arrangements ASAP, once the GA’s class schedule is finalized, to determine what days/hrs the student will work Break and lunch schedules should be worked out with the supervisor Short breaks (< 15 min) are counted towards work hours Lunch breaks (> 30 min) are not considered part of work hours With supervisor approval, GAs may work fewer hours during any given week to accommodate exam schedules, academic matters, and urgent personal matters Arrangements to make up missed hours should be agreed upon by the GA and the supervisor
23 Departments may determine their own dress code for GAs Vacation & Time Off GAs with regular, academic year appointments are expected to work when classes are in session. GAs do not work: The day after labor Day Wednesday before Thanksgiving During winter break, spring break or between winter and Sp/Sum semesters However, hiring departments may require their GA to work during such breaks if they have a substantial need and if the GA is informed of this expectation at the time of hiring Dress Code & Appearance Departments may determine their own dress code for GAs GAs should dress according to their department culture and nature of their work… e.g., in an office setting, business casual is appropriate GAs whose positions require physical activity may dress for conditions For special events, GAs should generally dress in more formal business attire
24 Termination and Cancellation of AppointmentCircumstances may occur that require a GA to resign Whenever possible, two weeks’ notice should be given to the supervisor Assignments should be completed to the best of the GA’s ability prior to departure The stipend will be discontinued at completion of the GA’s last day of employment Tuition will be pro-rated and the GA will be billed for the portion of the semester tuition that remains after resignation
25 Termination and Cancellation of AppointmentIf a supervisor wishes to terminate the GA for cause (e.g., the student was unable to satisfactorily perform the duties of the assistantship), the hiring department must do the following: Create a performance improvement plan Allow an opportunity for improvement The hiring unit will notify the student of termination in writing and provide a copy of the termination notice to The Graduate School
26 GA complaints should be addressed locally, by the supervisor’s office or unit, whenever possibleAt times, it may be necessary for a GA to file an appeal related to their position GA-related disputes or concerns should be directed to the appointing Dean who may intervene or refer the issue to the appropriate university office Unresolved complaints may be appealed to the Dean of The Graduate School Complaints may include, but are not limited to issues such as job expectations not outlined in the position description, arbitrary or capricious behavior of the supervisor, or termination of the GA GA Complaint Process
27 Do… Ask questions when needed Become informed of unit/office cultures Communicate professionally Take initiative – go ‘above and beyond’ Seek out opportunities to build skills and abilities Ask what else you could do to help Follow GVSU policies and procedures Be professional in your job Get to know your supervisor Fulfill your contract hours Contact TGS regarding any questions about tuition, payroll, paperwork, or policies Enjoy the experience! Don’t… Expect to be coddled Be a ‘wallflower’ in your unit or do the bare minimum to get by Create issues or problems for your supervisor or unit Skip on your contract hours; a GA is not a scholarship! Be discourteous/disrespectful to the University Community or dress inappropriately Compare your GA experience directly with others as there may be differences in assignments, responsibilities, supervision, etc.
28 Questions?
29 Best Wishes for a Great Experience as a Graduate Assistant at GVSU!