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All appointments of graduate assistants are made through the Dean of the Graduate School, in accordance with established procedures in that office. These procedures include the completion of a GS-18 form, Application for Graduate Assistantship or Instructorship (See Exhibit P/P-10) and completion of the Personnel Action Form. Graduate assistants should come by the Human Resource Services Office to sign their appointment letter prior to beginning work. Graduate assistants must complete an I-9 form, Employment Eligibility Verification, at the Human Resource Services Office within three working days of the initial hiring date. The I-9 form is valid for three years from the initial hiring date. (See Human Resource Services Policies and Procedures, Section 6.)
9.2 Employment Status
Graduate assistants are considered students and are not eligible for employee benefits. Withholding tax is the only deduction made from a graduate assistant's check. Graduate assistants must complete a W-4 form (Employee's Withholding Exemption Certificate) which is available in the Human Resource Services Office. Graduate assistants enrolled less than one-half time are also subject to social security and medicare tax.
9.3 Workload
Full-time graduate assistants will work:
A. Six (6) contact hours per week in classroom or laboratory instruction;
B. Eight (8) contact hours per week in laboratory supervision;
C. Twenty (20) clock hours per week in supervised activities in the department of their employment; or
D. A combination of the above.
9.4 Pay Schedule
9.4.1 Supported with University Funds
Graduate assistants receive five checks per semester which are distributed as follows:
Fall semester - last working day of August, September, October, November and December.
Spring semester - last working day of January, February, March, April, and May.
9.4.2 Supported with External Funds
Graduate assistants supported with external funds are paid according to the schedule specified in the grant and/or approved by the Dean of the Graduate School. An approved copy of the Personnel Action Form should accompany and be stapled to the original requisition on external accounts. The requisition should be for the total amount of funds obligated.
9.4.3 Unclaimed Payroll Checks
Departments must return any unclaimed payroll checks to the TTU Business Office within two (2) weeks after issue of the checks.
9.5 Termination of Assistantship
Should an assistantship be terminated for any reason before the end of the term of appointment, a Personnel Action Form should be completed as per the instructions for Separation accompanying the Personnel Action Form.