Graduate Assistantship Eligibility
To be eligible for an Assistantship, a student must be fully admitted to a master’s
degree program at Fairmont State University. Non-degree students may not hold an Assistantship.
Students may utilize an Assistantship to pay for one master’s degree. Students pursuing
a second master’s degree will not be eligible for an Assistantship.
Initial Appointment
To be eligible for an initial appointment to an Assistantship position, the prospective
GA must:
- Be eligible for regular admission to a graduate degree program,
- Be enrolled in at least nine (9) credits hours of graduate degree coursework consistent
with their plan of study AND be in good academic standing,
- Demonstrate communication skills appropriate to responsibilities of the graduate assistantship,
- Demonstrate evidence of subject matter competence, and
- Demonstrate qualifications as necessary to perform assigned duties.
- Once a GA has signed their offer letter for a position, they cannot ask to be moved
to another open position on campus for that Academic Year.
Reappointment
In addition to the qualifications listed above, reappointment to a GA position requires
a pattern of significant progress in accomplishing graduate degree requirements. At
a minimum, this means:
- Maintain a 3.0 grade point average or higher,
- Demonstrate satisfactory academic program toward degree completion,
- Be enrolled in, and complete, a minimum of three (3) courses or nine (9) hours of
equivalent graduate level work toward the graduate degree including work toward the
completion of the thesis/project each semester (withdrawal from a course(s) after
the fourth week does not constitute acceptable progress),
- Complete all prerequisite coursework in the first semester of appointment unless such
prerequisites cannot be completed in a single semester including all mandatory trainings
such as Title IX, FERPA, Cybersecurity, etc.,
- Adhere to the University Code of Conduct found in the student handbook,
- Perform GA duties satisfactorily, as evaluated by their immediate supervisor,
- Complete an assistantship evaluation each semester,
- Demonstrate professional communication and interpersonal skills appropriate to the
graduate assistantship, and,
- Adhere to the academic standards and workload requirements.
The Office of Graduate and Professional Studies is responsible for verifying the eligibility
and compliance of all applicants.
Appointment as a GA does not confer any rights to permanent appointment to any person.
The length of service of a GA does not alter the temporary nature of the appointment
or confer additional rights upon such person. Appointments are generally made on an
academic yearly basis.
Normally Fall semester contracts begin the Monday when Fall semester classes begin
and end no later than the end of the week before Final exams. Spring semester contracts
begin the Monday when Spring semester classes begin and end no later than the end
of the week before Final exams. An academic year is the period of time from the beginning
of school in August to the end of school in May which encompasses both the Fall and
Spring semesters.
Graduate Assistantship Compensation
Tuition Waivers
GAs are granted in-state tuition waiver, and the waiver only covers courses required
for the degree program associated with the GA position. Assistantships are typically
one-year appointments, beginning in the Fall semester. No tuition waiver can be retroactive
to semesters before work begins.
In order to have the tuition waiver processed in a timely manner, it is important
that a student registers for their classes as early as possible, but no later than
3 weeks prior to the start of the semester.
Stipend
In addition to the tuition waiver, GAs receive a stipend of $4000 for the Fall and
Spring semesters in which they work. GAs are paid a flat amount each bi-weekly pay
period divided over 8 pays in the semester they are working. Their pay is processed
and paid on the same pay dates as all other employees. GAs are subject to all applicable
Internal Revenue Service and Social Security Administration laws, regulations, and
policies. Because of the U.S. federal tax code revisions effective January 1, 1987,
all graduate students became liable to pay income tax on compensation (i.e., the stipend)
received for GAs. The amount remitted for tuition qualifies as a non-taxable scholarship.
Any significant reduction of hours, or early termination of the placement will result
in a pro-ration of pay and may result in the rescinding of the tuition waiver. GA
stipend is broken into nine pays per semester. GAs are not paid over break periods
such as Winter Break in December and over the summer term. Since FSU employees are
paid in arrears, when starting a new semester, GAs can expect a delay in pay. In example,
based on the new semester starting Jan. 12 that puts them into the Feb. 6 payday.
Please consult the Employee Pay and Holiday calendar on the Fairmont State webpage
for more information.
Non-Covered Fees
The tuition waiver does not cover additional fees, such as course fees, program fees,
e-learning fees, and graduation fees. GAs are responsible for these payments.
Summer Term and Fee Waivers
GAs typically do not work in, and therefore do not receive stipends, during the summer
term. If a student holds an assistantship position for a Spring semester and has met
all the requirements (full-time status, good academic standing, and satisfactory performance
of assigned duties and responsibilities), a fee waiver for the summer semester may
be awarded, based upon the availability of funds.
Duration of Benefits
The tuition waiver is limited to the number of semesters that correspond to the typical
duration required to complete the degree in the GA's academic discipline. At Fairmont
State University, this period is up to two (2) years for master’s students. Exceptions
to this time limit may be requested from the Dean of Graduate Studies.
Work Hours
A full-time GA appointment is for a maximum of twenty (20) hours per week, and a half-time
is for 10 hours of work per week. A student may hold two half-time assistantships
to total no more than 20 hours of time per week. The remainder of a student’s time
is typically spent making progress toward degree completion. GAs may not work more
than a total of 20 hours per week on average. Full-time GAs may not be appointed concurrently
in other Fairmont State University positions. Appointment as a GA does not confer
any rights to permanent appointment to any person. The length of service of a GA does
not alter the temporary nature of the appointment or confer additional rights upon
such person. Appointments are generally made on a semester-by-semester basis. GAs
and their supervisor should establish a standard work schedule. Variations in work
schedule and any opportunity for remote work will be at the discretion of the supervisor.
GAs must notify their supervisor, at least one hour in advance, if they are not able
to be at work at their scheduled time.
Requests for days off should be made in advance whenever possible. Every effort should
be made to make up the missed hours.
Excessive lateness or absences may be grounds for the discontinuation of the GA position.
Lunch Breaks
When an employee is scheduled to work more than four (4) hours, the supervisor is
required to give him/her a lunch break of 30 minutes. When an employee works a shift
of less than four hours, it is at the supervisor’s discretion whether she/he takes
an unpaid meal break of 30 minutes, the exact timing of which is at the discretion
of the supervisor. An employee is not allowed to take a lunch break at the end of
his/her shift and leave early.
Rest Breaks
Employees may be granted rest periods not to exceed two 10-minute breaks per 8 hour
day. Break periods shall be granted at the discretion of the supervisor. The purpose
of such break periods is to provide relief from duties and absence from the workstation,
offering employees the opportunity to attend to personal activities (i.e. to make
personal calls). Based upon operational needs, an employee may be required to work
through a break; in such cases, the employee is not entitled to additional compensation.
Breaks are compensated work-release time and may not be used or accrued to make up
work time, leave work early, or extend lunch time, etc.
Residency Classification
All GAs on a full-time or half-time appointment are billed at the in-state rate for
credits taken during their appointment. Official residency classification, however,
does not change. Consequently, at any time when a graduate student is no longer supported
by an assistantship, he or she will be billed according to the official residency
status that was assigned upon admission. Thus, a student may pay in-state rates during
the academic year but out-of-state rates during the summer if the student is classified
as out-of- state. Graduate students are urged to be aware of their official residency
classification status and to address any problems immediately.
Responsibilities
The specific duties of a given assistantship will vary with each position. GAs should
meet with their supervisor at the start of the appointment to identify specific responsibilities
and expectations. Parameters and timelines of projects should be clearly defined.
While some administrative duties may be included, the primary role of the GA should
not be to provide administrative support or office coverage for a College or department.
Duties and responsibilities of a GA should serve the needs of the department while
also providing professional development and growth opportunities for the GA. Supervisors
should provide ongoing mentorship throughout the appointment.
Dress Code
All employees are to be suitably attired and groomed during work hours or when representing
the interests of Fairmont State University. The supervisor will determine the appropriate
dress and grooming codes for each department or work area, according to operational
need. Dress and grooming codes will be nondiscriminatory.
Training and Professional Development
All GAs are required to attend an online orientation session before the fall semester
begins (typically in the first week of August) and may complete several training courses
before beginning work such as the required University annual trainings in FERPA, Title
IX, and Cybersecurity.
In addition, GAs with Teaching Assistantships will be required to complete New Faculty
Orientation and the Blackboard Ultra Training Course, both of which are offered by
the Center for Teaching, Learning and Innovation (CTLI). Information on these training
can be found on the CTLI website.
GAs have the option of participating in the Student Professional Corps. The Student
Professional Corps (SPC) is an optional professional development program available
to any Fairmont State student working on campus. Through the SPC, GAs have the opportunity
to earn digital badges that showcase the skills they’ve developed in areas such as
communication, teamwork, critical thinking and leadership. These badges are verifiable
credentials that can be displayed on a résumé, LinkedIn profile, or digital portfolio
to demonstrate workplace readiness to future employers. The SPC curriculum is 100%
self-paced so GAs can complete the modules when they have time to do so. All SPC courses
are hosted in Blackboard, under Organizations (Organizations work just like Courses
in Blackboard). Contact Nicole Samson, Career Connections Coordinator, with questions
and to learn more.
Any additional, specialized training required to fulfill the responsibilities of the
GA position will be conducted within the GAs work hours and any costs will be covered
by the department.
Performance Evaluation
Supervisors should provide regular formative performance evaluations and constructive
feedback. GAs are expected to be open such feedback and to be continually working
on their own professional development. All GAs will receive a formal supervisor’s
evaluation at the end of each semester, using the standard evaluation form provided
by the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies. The Supervisor and GA should meet
to review this form before it is submitted to the Office of Graduate and Professional
Studies. GAs will also complete an online evaluation of their position and supervisor
that is submitted directly to the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies at the
end of each term.
University Property
Fairmont State University programs, personnel, time, titles, and property, including
equipment, systems, vehicles, information, supplies, and office space are to be used
in conducting authorized business of the University. Use of such for personal benefit
or gain may be grounds for disciplinary action.
Private information protected under policy or law, such as certain financial, personnel,
patient, donor, or student information, histories, and mailing lists, is to remain
confidential.
Such information may be disclosed, viewed, or copied only with proper authorization
and must be disposed of in a manner that retains this confidentiality. Willful disclosure,
viewing, or copying of private information without authorization from one’s supervisor
may result in disciplinary action and/or legal prosecution.
Employees are responsible for securing the University building, office, room, equipment,
and other keys assigned to them for work-related reasons. Costs incurred by the institution
as the result of unauthorized use or the misuse of University property, such as but
not limited to personal telephone calls, will be recovered from the responsible employee.
Personal calls must be avoided at all times except for emergencies. An employee may
not use institutional phones for personal long-distance calls or telegrams, unless
they are charging them to his or her home telephone number or personal credit card
or securing a personal access code where by charges will be incurred directly to the
employee.
Conflict Resolution and Reporting Procedures
GAs should discuss any concerns or issues with their direct supervisor. If no resolution
is reached, the GA should next discuss the issue with the Dean of the College in which
their placement is housed, or the person to whom their supervisor reports if they
are in an administrative unit. If a resolution still has not been reached, the GA
should schedule a meeting with the Office of Graduate and Professional Studies for
mediation and guidance.
Issues related to sexual harassment or discrimination should be reported directly
to the Title IX officer.
Reporting On-the-Job Injuries
On-the-job injuries must be reported to one’s supervisor as soon as possible after
they occur. The employee must submit a written accident report form to the designated
supervisor no later than 24 hours after the injury occurs. All accidents must be reported,
immediately or no later than the end of the employee’s shift or workday, regardless
of whether they result in a Workers Compensation claim. Each employee’s supervisor
or designated party is responsible for having the appropriate form
completed and submitted immediately to the Campus Safety Specialist or Office of Human
Resources. Special rules apply to leave caused by Workers Compensation claims. For
further information, employees should contact the Office of Human Resources. The Accident/Incident
Report form is available in the Office of the Safety Specialist and the Human Resources
Office.
General Harassment Policy
Fairmont State University does not tolerate harassment in the work place, or of members
of the University community, and wants to provide an environment free of any form
of harassment. Harassment is defined as any form of conduct that would be offensive,
intimidating, or threatening to the average person and is done on the basis of race,
national origin, ethnicity, age, veteran status, disability, religion, sexual orientation,
gender, and association with persons different from oneself. Harassment may be of
a sexual, racial, or more general nature. Employees or students who believe they have
been harassed in violation of this policy should take the steps that are outlined
in the General Harassment Policy. The policy is available online under the Board of
Governors web page.
Drug-Free Workplace Policy and Procedures
All employees of Fairmont State University, including faculty, staff, administrators,
and student employees, must comply with the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988 (Public
Law 100-690 Title V, Subtitle D, 41 U.S.C. 701 et. seq.) and The Safe and Drug Free
Schools and Communities Act of 1989.
Prohibitions
The unlawful manufacture, distribution, dispensing, possession, or use of a controlled
substance is prohibited in the work place. Reporting for work under the influence
of a controlled substance or alcohol is prohibited.
Notice to Employees
As a condition of Fairmont State University employment, every employee shall abide
by the terms of this policy and notify their supervisors and the Office of Human Resources
of any conviction of drug or alcohol related charges resulting from any activity occurring
in the work place or otherwise on university premises no later than five days after
such conviction.
Sanctions
Any employee found in violation of this provision shall be subject to disciplinary
action, including dismissal, and may be required to participate in a drug abuse assistance
or drug rehabilitation program.
Smoking Policy
Smoking of tobacco is prohibited in all buildings, facilities, and property of Fairmont
State University. Smoking is also prohibited in any motor vehicle owned, leased, or
otherwise operated by the University.
