Graduate Assistant Rights

At the request of the Graduate School, and as an extension and clarification of the University’s Student Resources Guide and Handbook, the Ph.D. Academic Program and Policy Committee developed and recommended that our department and those providing graduate teaching and research assistantships for our students adopt and recognize as reasonable the following list of student rights.

This list was compiled with the support and guidance of MSU’s Ombudsman. In parentheses are the sections in the University Handbook which this list is designed to expand upon and clarify.

Graduate teaching and research assistants have the following rights:

the right to work in an environment of professional and intellectual respect. The rules and regulations that govern any employment relationship also govern the teaching and research assistant-employer relationship (2.3.12; 4.2.8).

the right to a full explanation of their duties and responsibilities. At the beginning of the employment period, each teaching and research assistant should be provided with a complete job description. This description will detail the job responsibilities, duties, and relevant time frames of the appointment to which the assistant is to be committed during the appointment period, who their evaluators will be, and the evaluation criteria to be used (4.2.2; 4.5.2).

the right to just compensation for hours worked. Graduate teaching and research assistants are employed in designations of 1/4-time (10 hour) increments and they should be compensated for work beyond their appointment obligations (4.2.2; 4.2.4).

the right to attend all classes in which they are enrolled. No university employer or staff member can prohibit students from attending their classes nor advise them that their work duties preclude fulfilling their duties and obligations as students. Many assistantships, however, carry specific scheduling obligations and expectations that should be clear to any graduate student considering whether or not to accept such an assistantship offer (1.2; 4.3.4).

the right to an evaluation. Graduate teaching and research assistants must be evaluated prior to the end of the term of their assistantship. Each student must be advised of this evaluation, be provided with a copy of the evaluation, and has the right to dispute the accuracy of any evaluation. In the event of a dispute, if there is no resolution, the graduate student has the right to attach a written memorandum to the evaluation detailing the areas of the evaluation considered incorrect. Furthermore, graduate assistants have the right to present their case before the appropriate departmental committee (2.4.8; 2.5.2.1-2.5.2.4; 4.2.2).

the right to notice in writing if the assistantship is being terminated or not renewed. Graduate assistants are employed "at will" and are therefore subject to the rules and regulations of the State of Michigan regarding their employment status. However, a notice in writing will be required for termination or renewal. This notice should be provided at least thirty days prior to the end of the employment period (4.2.2; 4.2.3; 4.3.5).