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Graduate Assistant Policy Changes June 6, 2013 UBR/Prep Meeting. Proposed Changes Rationale. Ease of administration through decrease in the number of Graduate School approvals needed. Bring UWM definitions up to date with current practice. RA New Definition. Proposed Policy. Current Policy.
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Graduate Assistant Policy ChangesJune 6, 2013UBR/Prep Meeting
Proposed Changes Rationale • Ease of administration through decrease in the number of Graduate School approvals needed. • Bring UWM definitions up to date with current practice.
RA New Definition Proposed Policy Current Policy Current definition does NOT include the provision for conducting research for the benefit of the university, faculty or academic staff supervisor or granting agency. • RA definition: RAs will be able to conduct research that is for the benefit of the student's own learning and research or for the benefit of the university, faculty or academic staff supervisor or granting agency. Rationale: Bring definitions in line with practice and peer institutions.
PA New Definition Proposed Policy Current Policy Current definition includes research responsibilities and the stipulation that students’ work should NOT be for their own learning/research benefit. • PAs CANNOT be assigned to primarily conduct research. • PA Appointments are for Admin activities. • Removal of language regarding the exclusion of work that is for the benefit of the student’s own learning and research. Rationale: Clarity of appointments and brings definition in line with similar institutions.
Academic Year Appointments Proposed Policy Current Policy 51%-75% GA Appointments need approval. • Allow academic year GA appointments to 75% WITHOUT Grad School approval. • Exception: Students with F1/J1 Visas with appts. >50% not allowed. Curricular Practical Training – approval needed. Rationale: Nearly 100% of all requests are approved. New policy will reduce time spent processing and approving forms.
Summer/UWinteriM Appointments Proposed Policy Current Policy TA/PA cannot exceed 2/9th summer compensation. RA summer appointment >50% need GS approval. Summer appointments >75% not permitted. • Allow GA summer & Uwinterim Appointments up to 100% WITHOUT Grad School Approval. Rationale: GAs rarely enroll in summer/UWinteriM courses. 100% appointments provide additional student support.
RA/PA/TA Concurrent Appts Proposed Policy Current Policy RA with PA/TA concurrent appointments are not allowed. • Allow RA/PA/TA concurrent appointments up to 75% during the academic year and 100% during summer/UWinteriM. Rationale: Redefinition of RA/PA positions allows for concurrent appointments.
GA appointments of <33% Proposed Policy Current Policy RA appointments less than 33% are not permitted. • Allow ALL GAs to hold appointments of less than 33%. • Not recommended except in combination with other appointments because <33% appt. does not include tuition remission or benefits. Rationale: Appointments of less than 33% do exist in practice. More opportunities for student support.
Minimum credit requirements <33% Appt. Proposed Policy Current Policy Currently 8-credit minimum required. • Decrease minimum credit requirement from 8 credits to 3 credits for GAs with less than 33% appointments. Rationale: Allows more opportunities for all students to work with faculty/programs.
Minimum AY RA Credit-Load Proposed Policy Current Policy Current minimum is 8 credits. • Change minimum academic year RA credit-load to 6 credits for appointments of 33% or greater. Rationale: 6 credit load is = to PA/TA policy. RA no longer considered scholarship.
Reduced Credit Load for Prelims Proposed Policy Current Policy Grad School approval needed prior to the start of the semester for all GA 1-credit load requests for Prelim preparation. • Grad School approval no longer required for reduced credit load requests for GAs preparing for Preliminary Exams. Rationale: The one-credit, one-semester preliminary exam preparation policy is standard policy. GAs should not be treated differently than other grad students.
Appointment of Undergraduate Assistants Proposed Policy Current Policy Grad School approval is required. • Allow undergraduate assistantships WITHOUT Grad School approval in cases where qualified grad students cannot be found. Rationale: Requests are rarely denied. Reduce paperwork.
UWinteriM Revision Proposed Policy Current Policy Enrollment requirements for TA/PAships/Fellowships cannot be satisfied with UWinteriM credits. • Enrollment requirements for ALL GAships/Fellowships CANNOT be satisfied with UWinteriM credits. Rationale: Clarification of eligible credit requirements for Grad assistants and fellows.
Exception Forms Requirements • Domestic GA appointments of greater than 75% during the academic year. • International student GA appointment is greater than 50% during the academic year. • Reduced credit load requests for reasons other than preliminary examination preparation.
