Financial Support
Recommendations concerning financial aid for those applying for admission to our graduate program are developed by the Graduate Admissions Committee. Continuing graduate students receiving financial aid who have not exhausted their five years of eligibility must reapply for continued aid each year. Their re-applications, and application for aid or forms of aid made by continuing students who are not already receiving them, are reviewed and considered by the Graduate Program Committee, which advises the Department and head in these matters. (See our Regulations Concerning Admissions and Advanced Degrees for our policy on the continuation of aid). Continuing students who have exhausted their five years of eligibility, and who desire further aid beyond that point, should make their interest known in writing to the Head of the Department, who acts on such requests as the teaching needs of the Department may require, as the supplemental resources available may permit, and as the circumstances of their cases may be deemed to warrant. Any continuing student who has questions relating to financial aid should consult with the Head of the Department.
Teaching Assistant Duties
Teaching assistants (TAs) who are assigned to assist instructors as graders or preceptors are expected to devote an average of ten hours per week to their duties for each quarter-time assistantship they are awarded. They are expected to attend the classes of courses in which they are assisting; to hold weekly office hours; to help with the grading (under the supervision of the instructor), doing it as promptly as possible; and, in the case of preceptors in larger courses, to conduct weekly discussion sections. If questions or problems arise in connection with the work expected of them, TAs should attempt to settle them through discussion with the faculty members they are assisting. If problems persist, they may be discussed with the Department Head. Continuation of assistantship support will be dependent in part upon the satisfactory performance of assistantship duties.
Teaching assistants who are teaching independent sections of 100-level courses are under the general supervision of specified faculty members, and are encouraged to discuss the planning and teaching of their sections with these faculty members (especially when teaching them for the first time). In general, teaching TAs have the same responsibility for their classes and students that faculty members do, and will be expected to discharge their instructional responsibility conscientiously and completely. They should expect to prepare, duplicate, and collate their own syllabi, handouts, exercises, exams, etc. The office staff may be able to assist in the preparation of some course-related material (within reason, and as the other demands upon their time permit), but usually will not have time for duplicating and collating or for extensive typing.
Payroll
For those with a fellowship and/or assistantship appointment, payday is normally the 16th of each month beginning with September 16 and ending with May 16. You will receive one-ninth of your salary each month if you have an academic year (nine-month) appointment. If your appointment is for one semester (four and one-half months) your January check will be for one-half month. (Assistantship salaries are subject to tax; fellowship stipends are usually non-taxable). If you have questions please contact the Department of Philosophy Business Manager.
You have received or will receive a Check Distribution and Address Information Form, which requests personal information such as office addresses, office telephone numbers, etc. BE SURE TO LIST YOUR OFFICE ADDRESS AS 200 GREGORY HALL. If you list your individual office address, receipt of your mail will probably be delayed several days, or even could be returned to sender.