There are many policies which govern assistantship and fellowship appointments, including those set by the Office of the Provost and other governing bodies on campus. Because students are frequently also employees, they need to be aware of policies set by Illinois Human Resources, and the university’s agreement with the Graduate Employee’s Organization (GEO). Students should consult and be familiar with campus policies set by the following units as they pertain to assistants and fellows.
Illinois Human Resources. Administers university policies for employees (including graduate employees), hours of work, stipends, and leaves.
Division of Research Safety. Provides online training that is mandatory for all employees or students working in research labs that have or use biological, chemical, or radiological materials. This training should be completed within the first month of activity in such a lab.
Graduate College Fellowship Office. Helps students and staff understand policies and requirements for assistantships, fellowships, and traineeships. Reach out to the Fellowship Office if you have any questions.
Graduate Employee’s Organization (GEO /IFT /AFT /AFL-CIO). Recognized officially as the exclusive bargaining unit for all graduate assistants (GAs) and most teaching assistants (TAs). For assistants represented by GEO, wages, hours, terms, and conditions of employment are included in their Agreement with the University of Illinois (found on the Illinois Human Resources website).
Office of the Provost. Requires that graduate teaching assistants attend training before beginning any teaching appointment. Before the start of classes, departments either conduct training programs for all new teaching assistants or require attendance at the Graduate Academy for College Teaching (which includes sessions about language and culture that meet the university’s policy requirements for all non-native English speakers before they begin teaching). For more information, see the Center for Innovation in Teaching & Learning website.
University of Illinois Ethics and Compliance Office. Administers an annual online ethics training program to all employees. The office contacts students via their official university e-mail account during a pre-announced time period with individual login instructions for the training.
Vice President of Human Resources. Administers an annual online Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act (ANCRA) training program to all employees. The Vice President of Human Resources contacts all employees via their official university e-mail account during a pre-announced time period with individual login instructions for the training.
