Refer to the Graduate Program Policy sections VI.G., VII.A., VII.B., and VIII, for additional information. Teaching Assistant (TA) assignments to work with the department teaching faculty are determined on the basis of department needs, eligibility of applicants, available funding, student progress in meeting degree requirements and length in program, student and instructor evaluations, major adviser's recommendations, and student interest and development. Refusal of a teaching assignment may result in the loss of the teaching assistantship. Although efforts will be made to meet the preferences of each teaching assistant and instructor, the overall requirements of course needs and the available time of other teaching assistants must be considered in arriving at final assignments.

TA ELIGIBILITY AND DEGREE RECOMMENDATIONS

1. Workshop. Teaching Assistants are required to successfully complete the Teaching Assistant Workshop offered through the School of Graduate Studies before assisting in a course.

2. Status. Students on provisional status normally will not serve as a Teaching Assistant. Students on probationary status may not serve as contract Teaching Assistants. Matriculated status graduate students receive first priority in teaching assistant assignments.

3. Teaching Experience. (Graduate Program Policy) Teaching is considered an important part of the education of a graduate student. For this reason each candidate in the Department of Biology is advised to have some teaching experience.

a. MS program - at least one semester of relevant experience is advised.

b. PhD program - at least two semesters of relevant experience is advised.

c. This experience may be obtained as a Teaching Assistant, or by paid or unpaid assistance in an assigned class.

Duties and responsibilities of TAs include:

. Represent the Department of Biology and Utah State University in the best possible light to the students in your classes.

. Assist the instructor as needed and assigned.

. Write, administer, and grade exams.

. Proctor exams.

. Drive vans for field trips.

. Setting up labs and conducting laboratory instruction.

. Daily clean up of preparation and laboratory teaching areas with special attention given at the end of each semester.

. Order supplies and equipment for class. All orders must have approval of Administrative Assistant and the faculty member teaching the course.

. Provide adequate security for all equipment and supplies and exercise prudence in their use.

. Being available during office hours to assist students.

DATES OF SERVICE

TAs are to report to the Department of Biology by the date specified in their contracts. TAs are involved with preparation of and orientation to their teaching assignments as well as department meetings prior to the beginning of classes. It is the responsibility of the TA to contact the professor with whom he/she will be working before the appointment date.

TA contracts are for fall and spring semesters of the academic year. or the academic year 2007-08, the dates of service for contract TAs are 20 August 2007 to 2 May 2008. If the student fails to serve during this period, a loss of pay may result. Non-contract TAs may be assigned on as needed and must be available during the dates specified to them.

WORK WEEK

The work week for a full-time TA consists of about 20 hours of preparatory and student contact instruction time. A half-time TA includes about 10 hours of preparatory time and student contact instruction time. Students serving two half-time positions must not work more than 10 hours in either assignment.

EVALUATION OF TEACHING ASSISTANTS

During the course of a teaching assignment the TA will be evaluated by the supervising professor/instructor and students in the class. This will help assess total teaching experience as well as provide the opportunity to make positive adjustments as needed. TAs also are encouraged to evaluate courses and give input to assist in improvement. Forms to evaluate the course and instructor are available in the Biology Main Office (see forms). Students should contact the Staff Assistant for the Graduate Programs Committee to review their evaluations and submit a written evaluation of the courses.

CONTRACT PROCEDURES

Annual - Contract - TAs

Contracts are awarded in March/April of each year for the following academic year. Contracts are awarded through the application for admission process by the Graduate Programs Committee with approval from the Department Head. Contracts will be renewed each year for as long as the student is eligible.

Teaching Assistants awarded a contract will receive an award letter and contract. The contract must be signed and returned by the date indicated or the award will be withdrawn. Annual TAs are expected to teach full-time during Fall and Spring semesters unless otherwise noted. A limited number of summer semester teaching assistantships are available. Summer semester teaching assistantships are not included in the annual contract. Students interested in a summer position must apply for a summer semester teaching assistantship position.

Semester - Non-Contract - TA Positions

Students who are not on contract may apply for a semester TA position by contacting the Director of Graduate Studies, Dr. Edmund D. Brodie, Jr. to indicate their preferences and the semester for which they desire to receive a TA. Generally, this should be done before 1 May for the entire academic year, but students may submit a request each semester (approximately six weeks or more before the beginning of each semester).

Students within their limit of eligibility are given precedence in the awarding of semester teaching assistantships. Beyond that, third year master students or fifth year doctoral candidates may be awarded a semester position depending on their progress in the program, teaching evaluations, instructor requests, and the needs of the department.

TAX EXCLUSION FORMS

TAs needing information concerning student tax exclusion (federal income tax and social security) should contact the Financial Aid Office (TSC) and/or the Payroll Office (Old Main).

METHOD OF PAYMENT

TAs must complete a I-9 and W-4 form at the beginning of their assignment. See Barbara Leishman, BNR 133, to complete forms. Once these are on file with the Student Employment Office, it will not be necessary to fill out the forms again, unless changes need to be made. See Barbara Leishman, BNR 133, to complete forms.

TAs should fill out a check mailing address card prior to the beginning of their assignment. The University requires the direct deposit option. The payroll office should be contacted for information on the direct deposit option. Pay stubs will no longer be mailed out. They are available to view online with banner.

Annual TAs

TAs earn $11,275 per academic year if they have a MS degree and $10,763 if they have a Bachelor's degree. Annual TAs will receive a check on the 10th of each month. If for some reason the TA should terminate his/her appointment prior to the completion of the contract, he/she must notify the Director of Graduate Studies in writing as soon as possible so that adjustments in payment and assignments may be made.

Semester TAs

Non-contract TAs will receive their checks on the 1st of the month. One-half of a pre-established contract year salary will be paid for each semester of service. Summer term TAs receive one-third of the pre-established contract year salary.

Questions regarding TAs should be referred to the Director of Graduate Studies.