GRA, GTA, and GA Appointments: General Guidelines and Eligibility

The following premises and eligibility requirements govern all Graduate Research Assistant (GRA), Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA), and Graduate Assistant (GA) appointments at the University of Kansas, Lawrence:

Principles

1. Individuals who enroll in graduate educational programs at the University of Kansas do so in order to attain specific educational goals. It is the University’s responsibility to help ensure that graduate students attain their academic goals in a reasonable amount of time and move on to the next stage in their careers, whether to another advanced degree program or to professional employment.
2. When departments and schools offer GRA, GTA, or GA appointments, the assistantships must contribute to the training experience of the graduate student.
3. GRA, GTA, and GA responsibilities should be in balance with the student’s responsibilities to the graduate program. For salaried appointments of 50% (0.5 FTE), the expectation is that the assigned duties will average no more than 20 hours per week during the semester. For hourly appointments of 50% (0.5 FTE), assigned duties should require 20 hours per week during the semester. For appointments at other percentages, the number of hours per week must be proportional to the appointment percentage.

Appointment Limits

During the fall and spring semesters, GTA appointments shall not normally exceed 50% (0.50 FTE). GTA appointments in excess of 0.50 FTE must be approved by the Dean's Office of the appointing school or college in advance of an appointment offer and will be approved only in extraordinary circumstances. See the Memorandum of Agreement between The University of Kansas and the American Federation of Teachers - Kansas (Representing Graduate Teaching Assistants at the University of Kansas, Lawrence).

During the fall and spring semesters, GRA appointments may be made up to 72.5% (0.725 FTE).

During the fall and spring semesters, GA appointments shall not normally exceed 50% (0.50 FTE). GA appointments in excess of 50% (0.50 FTE) must be approved by Graduate Studies in advance of an appointment offer and will be approved only in special circumstances.

Although GRA, GTA, and GA appointments in excess of 50% (0.50 FTE) have the undesirable potential to extend time toward degree, GRA appointments contribute directly to students' research agendas. Therefore, during the fall and spring semesters, GRA appointments and combined GRA/GTA or GRA/GA appointments of up to 72.5% (0.725 FTE) may be approved so long as the GTA or GA component of the appointment does not exceed 50% (0.50 FTE). (Please see the Exceptions/Special Circumstances section below for more information.) Departments are expected to monitor appointments in excess of 50% (0.50 FTE) to ensure that the graduate students’ assistantship assignments enhance their academic preparation and do not interfere with progress toward degree.

During the summer term(s), GTAs, GRAs, and GAs may be appointed up to 100% (1.0 FTE), at the hiring unit's discretion. Hiring units should be advised of the potential legal and fiscal implications posed by appointments that exceed 72.5% (0.725 FTE), including changes to insurance eligibility under the Affordable Care Act. For more information about these implications, hiring units should consult with Human Resources Management. Departments, research centers, schools, and the College may adopt more stringent limitations as appropriate to their needs.

Eligibility Requirements

Graduate Teaching Assistant Appointment Eligibility

Graduate Research Assistant Appointment Eligibility

Graduate Assistant Appointment Eligibility