The division also provides formal and informal programs and workshops on these and other topics for faculty, staff, and student groups. These certificates provide documentation of a graduate student s involvement in teacher development and hands-on teaching activities such as instructional orientations, workshops, classroom teaching, and visitation or videotaping of the classroom teaching followed by consultative and student feedback. In addition, the graduate student provides a reflective analysis of the teaching experience. Each teaching and research assistant should be informed as early as possible of a department s intentions about renewing the assistant s appointment. If, because of enrollment or budget uncertainties, a department cannot make a firm commitment to a student about reappointment, a letter of intent should be sent to the assistant stating that these uncertainties exist and explicitly defining the department s plans once the situation is clarified.
Renewal is at the discretion of the department.
Departments have differing policies on the length of time students may hold assistantships and sometimes limit the total number of semesters or course sections an assistant can teach. Many departments require that teaching assistants obtain and maintain certain teaching standards in order for their assistantships to be renewed. It is essential for the graduate student to be aware of his or her department s policy and to plan accordingly. An appointment remains in effect only if the student maintains good academic standing, makes satisfactory academic progress, and provides satisfactory service. An assistantship appointment may be terminated during the term of the appointment if the assistant is no longer a student, is no longer making satisfactory progress, or substantially fails to perform assigned responsibilities.