A. Academic Performance Standards

B. Graduate Research Assistant Status

C. Graduate Research Assistantships

Graduate Student Handbook

Graduate Research and Teaching Assistants

A. Academic Performance Standards

All graduate students, whether or not on assistantship, are required to maintain a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0. Those with less than a 3.0 GPA will be contacted by the Graduate School. Letters documenting this action will be sent to the student, the major professor, and the department head. The major professor may be asked to notify student sponsors when applicable and appropriate.

Students receiving a GPA below 3.0 for two or more consecutive terms may be prohibited from registering and may be terminated unless the student is permitted to register and remain on probationary status after the student’s case has been reviewed by the major professor and the department head.

B. Graduate Research Assistant Status

A graduate research assistant (GRA) whose GPA falls below 3.0 for one quarter will be evaluated by his/her major professor in consultation with the department head. The assistantship may be terminated at that time. GRAs failing to obtain a 3.0 GPA for two consecutive quarters will be removed from their assistantship and may dismissed from the department and the university unless extenuating circumstances suggest otherwise.

C. Graduate Research Assistantships

1. Nature of Appointment

Graduate research assistants (GRAs) are normally appointed on a nine-month basis. During the remaining three months, students are typically compensated by hourly wages equivalent to the assistantship. GRAs cannot be appointed at more than 0.49 FTE (Full-Time Equivalent). To qualify for and retain a graduate research assistantship, students must make satisfactory progress toward their degree and maintain a 3.0 GPA. If a student's overall GPA falls below 3.0 for two consecutive quarters, the assistantship will be withdrawn. Graduate research assistantships do not include paid vacation. Personal leave time should be scheduled with the major professor to minimize interference with the project/thesis research program.

2. Date of Appointment

GRAs must be registered for class to receive their stipend. For a student entering in fall term, September 1 is the earliest date for appointment.

3. Responsibilities

Serving as a teaching assistant, or in a similar role, for a term is a graduation requirement for all CSS graduate students as of September 1, 2006. This teaching experience is to be arranged in consultation with the student’s major professor.