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Performance Expectations

Students in assistantship roles are expected to adhere to certain guidelines. Performance expectations for teaching assistants, graduate research assistants, and research assistants are available on this page.

Teaching Assistant (TA) Performance Expectations

Purpose

Teaching assistants (TAs) play a critical role in advancing the academic mission of the university by supporting faculty instructors and fostering student success. This outlines the professional performance expectations required of all TAs to ensure a high standard of instructional support and academic integrity.

1. Professional Conduct

TAs are expected to uphold the highest standards of professionalism in all interactions with students, faculty, and staff. This includes:

  • Treating all individuals with respect, fairness, and courtesy.
  • Maintaining appropriate boundaries and avoiding conflicts of interest.
  • Adhering to the university’s code of conduct and applicable departmental guidelines.

2. Communication Standards

Prompt, clear, and respectful communication is essential. TAs must:

  • Respond to emails and messages from students, faculty, and administrative staff professionally, and within one to two business days during the academic term. Some urgent situations may require more prompt responses.
  • Proactively communicate any concerns or instructional challenges to the course instructor or supervising faculty member.

3. Ethical Grading and Academic Integrity

TAs must grade assignments and exams fairly, consistently, and transparently in accordance with the course instructor’s instructions and policies, and within the timelines agreed upon. They are expected to:

  • Avoid favoritism or bias in any form.
  • Protect student privacy and maintain confidentiality of grades and academic records.
  • Report any suspected academic misconduct to the supervising instructor promptly.

4. Attendance and Availability

Reliable attendance is essential to the continuity of instruction. TAs are expected to:

  • Be punctual and present for all assigned classes, office hours, and meetings.
  • Notify the supervising faculty member as far in advance as possible in the event of an emergency or unplanned absence.
  • Arrange for coverage, if feasible, in coordination with the course instructor and department.
  • Promptly notify supervisor of any difficulty.

5. Understand Additional Requirements and Expectations

Become familiar with any additional requirements that have been established by the course-offering school, department, or supervisor. Proactively seek out guidance and support if expectations are not clear.

6. Performance Review and Accountability

Supervising faculty and departments will regularly assess TA performance. Failure to meet these expectations may result in remediation, reassignment, or termination of the assistantship.

Effective Date: July 8, 2025

Graduate Research Assistant/Research Assistant (GRA/RA) Performance Expectations

Purpose

Graduate research assistants/research assistants (GRAs/RAs) are vital contributors to the university’s research enterprise. This outlines the professional expectations for GRAs/RAs to ensure ethical, productive, and collegial research environments that support the university’s academic mission and provide high-quality training experience for graduate students.

1. Professional Conduct

GRAs/RAs are expected to demonstrate professionalism in all aspects of their research responsibilities. This includes:

  • Respectful, collegial behavior with faculty, peers, staff, students, and research participants.
  • Integrity and ethical behavior in data collection, analysis, authorship, and reporting.
  • Adherence to university, college, and sponsor policies, as well as relevant research ethics and compliance guidelines (e.g., IRB, IACUC, RCR, etc.).

2. Communication Standards

Clear and timely communication is essential to effective research collaboration. GRAs/RAs must:

  • Respond to emails and messages from faculty supervisors and research collaborators professionally, and within one to two business days. Some urgent situations may require more prompt responses.
  • Proactively communicate progress updates, challenges, and questions to their principal investigator (PI) or faculty advisor.

3. Research Integrity and Accountability

GRAs/RAs are expected to perform research duties responsibly, including:

  • Maintaining accurate and secure records of all research activities and data.
  • Not committing academic integrity and research misconduct violations, such as plagiarism and data fabrication, which are strictly prohibited.
  • Reporting any concerns related to research misconduct or data integrity to the supervising faculty member or appropriate office.

4. Attendance and Productivity

Dependability is essential to the continuity and success of research projects. GRAs/RAs are expected to:

  • Be present and engaged during scheduled research hours, meetings, and project milestones.
  • Meet deadlines and demonstrate consistent progress toward goals and assignments.
  • Notify the supervising faculty member as far in advance as possible of any scheduling conflict or absence, including use of vacation time.
  • Arrange coverage or rescheduling of time-sensitive responsibilities in collaboration with the supervisor.

5. Understand Additional Requirements and Expectations

Become familiar with any additional requirements that have been established by the department, graduate field, or supervisor. Proactively seek out guidance and support if expectations are not clear.

6. Performance Review and Accountability

Faculty supervisors and departments will regularly evaluate GRA/RA performance based on research contributions, collaboration, and professionalism. Failure to meet expectations may result in remediation, reassignment, or termination of the assistantship.

Effective Date: July 8, 2025