A RESOLUTION TO ADDRESS THE WELFARE, RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF ASSISTANTSHIP RECIPIENTS

A.R. 6

WHEREAS, The University of Texas at Austin (UT Austin) offers the following assistantship positions for graduate students:

• Teaching Assistant,
• Assistant Instructor,
• Graduate Research Assistant,
• Academic Assistant, and
• Assistant (Graduate); and

WHEREAS, according to the Graduate School Policy Manual:

a nominee [for an assistantship] must be a degree-seeking graduate student without existing conditions imposed by the Graduate School, remain registered for at least nine semester hours of course work (in the long semesters) that count toward the graduate degree, and maintain at least a 3.0 graduate grade-point average [1]; and

WHEREAS, The Handbook of Operating Procedures and Original Policy Memorandum outline the pay range, job description, and benefits for assistantship holders [2]; and

WHEREAS, the job postings and policy memoranda indicate that the salary ranges significantly differ among types of assistantships [4]; and

WHEREAS, only TAs and AIs are guaranteed tuition stipends to cover the general tuition and fees they incur from the required nine hours of coursework [4]; and

WHEREAS, out-of-state tuition waivers and tuition stipends are essential tools for recruiting quality graduate students to UT Austin; and

WHEREAS, some academic departments (especially those with no undergraduate program) are unable to offer TA or AI positions to their graduate students but are able to provide other assistantships; and

WHEREAS, assistantships give the graduate students who hold them the opportunity to learn essential professional development skills needed for future careers in institutions of higher education.

BE IT RESOLVED that the Graduate Student Assembly supports and commends the work of graduate student employees at The University of Texas at Austin.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Graduate Student Assembly calls upon the administration to explore viable solutions which will allow for all assistantship holders to receive an in-state tuition waiver.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Graduate Student Assembly calls upon the administration to explore viable solutions which will allow for all assistantship holders to receive a tuition stipend that covers general tuition and fees for nine hours of coursework.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Graduate Student Assembly calls upon the administration to consider each type of assistantship equally and ensure that the salary ranges match.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Graduate Student Assembly calls upon the Committee of the General Faculty to expand the title and function of the “C-12 Responsibilities, Rights, and Welfare of Teaching Assistants and Assistant Instructors Committee” to encompass all graduate assistantships offered at UT Austin.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that an official copy of this resolution be printed and distributed to the President of the University; Provost and Executive Vice President; Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies; Chair of the Graduate Assembly; Chair of the Faculty Council; Chair of the A-3 Committee on Committees; Chair of the C-12 Responsibilities, Rights, and Welfare of Teaching Assistants and Assistant Instructors Committee; and the Vice President for Student Affairs.

Authors: Erik D. Malmberg (Electronic Resources Coordinator)

Sponsors: Marian Barber (Co-Chair), Erik D. Malmberg (Electronic Resources Coordinator), Allisa Carter (Educational Administration)

[1] The Graduate School Policy Manual (July 2003). Retrieved on January 29, 2004 from http://www.utexas.edu/ogs/gspolicymanual/36.html.

[2] HOP – 8 Personnel - Students (2004). Retrieved on January 23, 2004 from http://www.utexas.edu/policies/hoppm/h0801.html.

[3] Student Affairs Grad. Assistantships (2004). Retrieved on January 29, 2004 from http://www.utexas.edu/student/vpsa/ga/index.html.

[4] UT Austin Policy Memorandum (2003). Retrieved on January 29, 2004 from http://www.utexas.edu/policies/hoppm/tocpm.html.