Graduate Assistant/Associate Appointment Periods and Full-Time Equivalent Policy

A. Appointment Periods

1. Appointment periods are established by Human Resources. 

B. Appointments and Hours

1. GAs are appointed. As such, their reported hours may not be reduced in most cases. 
2. During periods where a GA is concurrently enrolled, total on-campus employment must not exceed 26.4 hours per week (0.66 FTE).
3. International GAs on F-1 or J-1 visas are subject to additional restrictions: their appointment may not exceed 20 hours per week (0.50 FTE) while concurrently enrolled.
4. GAs appointed at 0.66 FTE cannot be compensated over their FTE except during winter or summer. 
5. GAs appointed at less than 0.66 FTE who work hours above their designated FTE must be paid via supplemental compensation. 
6. A GA may hold multiple appointments so long as the total FTE does not exceed the restrictions.

C. Two Positions

1. Hiring Units may hire a GA into two positions within the same hiring Unit as long as the titles for each position are different (e.g., GRA at 0.25 FTE and a second position as a TA at 0.25 FTE), provided the combined FTE does not exceed 0.66 FTE (or 0.50 FTE for international students).
2. Units should not hire a GA into two positions under the same hiring unit if both positions are the same title. Units should combine appointments (i.e. two separate TA positions under the same hiring Unit) into one position totaling an FTE of no more than 0.66 FTE. The GA Offer Letter should then identify the multiple positions that the GA is being hired into and the associated job duties for each position. 

D. Additional Duties

1. A GA on an academic appointment is not required to perform duties outside of their appointment dates unless the student and Unit agree to this in writing prior to the appointment start date. 
2. If the student and Unit have agreed to additional duties, requiring additional pay, please see the GA Supplemental Compensation Policy. 

E. FTE and Maximum Payable Hours

1. The University has approved four possible FTE’s and maximum payable hours for GAs.