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Graduate Assistantships contribute to student professional development with the primary purpose of assisting students
in the successful completion of their academic program. Activities incorporated in the work of a Graduate Assistant
should therefore be relevant to the student’s program of study as well as contributing to the University’s teaching,
research/creative activity, or service efforts. The department/unit providing the assistantship determines the nature and
scope of the Assistantship assignment.
The University provides medical insurance for Graduate Assistants if they do not have coverage already, and pays them a
monthly stipend, which is stipulated in the award of the Assistantship.
Each Assistant should have a specific ‘Contract’ and Job Description, and a clear reporting line within the Department/
Unit. The supervisor is expected to provide the Graduate Assistant with periodic oral and written assessment and
feedback regarding performance.
Eligibility for and requirements of Graduate Assistantships
•
Candidates who are first-time graduate students should have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a
scale of 4.0 or equivalent, in the Bachelor degree.
•
Other candidates should carry a minimum of 6 earned graduate credits and must have a minimum
cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a scale of 4.0) or equivalent in their graduate studies.
Availability of Opportunities
Opportunities for Graduate Assistantships may become available at any time, and hence may be announced or made
known to students in different media and at different times. Graduate students interested in applying for Assistantships
are advised to check with their respective Departments, Colleges, and/or the CGS.
Awards
Graduate Assistantships are awarded for a period of one year or less and may be renewed, provided the recipient
continues to meet the eligibility criteria of the award and has received good performance appraisal from the supervisor.
Graduate Assistantship awards are to be made by the respective Deans of the Colleges, based on the available funds,
upon the recommendations of the Chairs of the Departments and/or the Principal Investigators, if the Assistantship is
funded by a sponsored project.
