Graduate Student Instructor Overview

The school typically appoints about 10-12 Gaduate Student Instructors, and about 20 Graduate Student Research Assistants per term. In addition, about 60 students per term obtain GSI/GSRA appointments in other units. Typically these units include the Program in the Environment, Biology, Chemistry, Romance Languages, College of Architecture and Urban Planning, Center for Afroamerican and African Studies, Geological Sciences, and Psychology.

To be eligible to compete for an instructor position, a graduate student must commit to registering for at least 6 hours of coursework, and be qualified to do the teaching, which is outlined in the position description. Students are limited in the number of terms of GSI/RA general fund support they can receive: MS = 4 terms; MLA 3-yr = 6 terms; and PhD = 10 terms.

If a PhD student received GSI/SA/RA support as a master's student, those terms count toward the 10 term limit.

Most GSIs are hired for at least a 0.25 employment fraction (9.5-12.49 hours per week). GSIs with an appointment fraction of 0.25 or greater will receive a full tuition waiver, and will be eligible to participate in a health insurance plan. Each GSI appointment provides a stipend, tuition waiver and health benefits during the term of appointment. If a student has a GSI appointment in the Winter term, and again the following Fall, s/he is also eligible for carryover benefits during the Spring/Summer.

Graduate Student Instructors are hired to help teach discussion sections and laboratories. Most GSI appointments are offered to currently enrolled students because they have already taken the courses that they will help teach as GSIs. Each GSI appointment is for one term only.

Process

• E-mail announcements are sent at the beginning of the Fall and Winter terms to the SNRE.MS and SNRE.PhD e-mail groups.
• Application forms and position descriptions are available on our web site.
• Complete the online application process including the general application form, and attach the resume, various cover letters, and other desired support documentation. 
• Faculty are asked to rank GSIs in an equitable manner and may consult with their colleagues to provide the best “fit” possible for the course as well as the potential GSIs.
• Final decisions are made by a GSI oversight committee. 

Applicants will be notified of the final decisions via student mail folder, if a current student, or U.S. mail, and/or e-mail if an in-coming student. A list of all positions and appointees will be posted outside room 1520.

If you are wondering about the status of the decision-making process, you should contact Diana Woodworth. There are always details to work out once the decision has been made and selected students should see Diana Woodworth as soon as possible to make sure the hiring process is smooth.

Unsuccessful applicant materials will be retained for consideration in the event that there are last minute openings. Upon request, an unsuccessful applicant will receive, within fourteen (14) calendar days, a written explanation of the reasons for denial of employment, or an in-person interview if preferred.

Dates for Fall Process
Mid-January - Postings are available on-line
Early February - Application Deadline
Late February - Instructors are asked to submit their GSI preference lists
Late March - Applicants notified of final decisions
 

Dates for Winter Process
Late September - Postings are available on-line
Mid-October - Application Deadline
Mid-November - Instructors are asked to submit their GSI preference lists
Late November - Applicants notified of final decisions