Academic Student Employees - Faculty Access

Academic Student Employees (ASE) and Graduate Student Researcher (GSR)

Graduate students are eligible to be hired as an Academic Student Employee (e.g. Teaching Assistant, Teaching Fellow) or a Graduate Student Researcher. The School of Engineering Graduate Programs Services team helps to process TA, TF, and GSR positions during three funding cycles (Fall, Spring, Summer) over the course of the year. Below you will find more information about each position, hiring, and policies/procedures.

During academic semesters (Fall or Spring) a student with a ASE or GSR with at least a 25% FTE will also be eligible for fee remissions including tuition and GSHIP. Students who have an academic appointment are required to be enrolled in 12 units. Filing Fee status students are not eligible for academic appointments.

ASE and GSR Roles and Reponsibilities Matrix: The Roles and Responsibilities Matrix contains information on roles and responsibilities of each position, appointment start/end dates, time reporting, supervision, pay, hours per week and academic requirements.

 

Teaching Assistants (TA)

TA's help provide instructional assistance, including leading labs and discussion sections, helping prepare instructional materials, and grading homework and exams. TA positions provide valuable experience for graduate students, preparing them for careers as faculty members at all institutions of higher education.  Only current UC Merced graduate students are eligible for TA positions.

Leaves

Academic student employees (ASE) are required to seek prior approval for leaves from their supervisor per Article 18.

Short-Term Leave Requests:

ASE's (Teaching Assistant, Teaching Fellow, Grader, Instructional Assistant) with a 50% appointment are eligible for up to three (3) days of paid short-term leave per semester. This time is commonly used for personal illness.

Long-Term Leave Requests: 

ASE's (Teaching Assistant, Teaching Fellow, Grader, Instructional Assistant) are eligible for long-term leave in accordance with Article 18. If a leave is requested, the ASE must:

  1. Inform the Course Instructor and soe-grstaff@ucmerced.edu via email of the request.
  2. The SOE Graduate Programs Services team will work in consultation with Academic Personnel Services on your request and will provide you with a Leave Request form.
  3. Complete the Leave Request form per instructions from Academic Personnel and the SOE Graduate Programs Services team.
  4. Return the form along with documentation required by the type of leave to soe-grstaff@ucmerced.edu. The SOE Graduate Programs Services team will obtain the required approvals and will copy you on the email submitting the form to Academic Personnel. Please note: While Department Chair and Supervisor approvals are listed on the form, Academic Personnel can move forward with the leave request if the Department Chair and/or Supervisor decline to sign.
  5. Academic Personnel will notify all parties once the leave request is approved or denied along with further instructions. 

 

Graduate Student Researchers (GSR)

GSR positions are typically supported through external funding agencies for specific research projects. Graduate students may assist with research work in a wide variety of ways, and some projects may provide opportunities for advanced students to lead certain efforts with guidance and oversight from the principal investigators. GSR positions are especially valuable for graduate students pursuing research careers.

Leaves

GSR's are eligible for leaves per Article 17.

Short-Term Leave Requests:

GSR's with a 50% appointment are eligible for up to three (3) days of paid short-term leave per semester. 

  • If requesting a short-term leave, GSR's should immediately inform their faculty advisor for approval. They should be prepared to provide documentation of the reason for leave.

Long-Term Leave Requests:

GSR's with a 50% appointment are eligible for long-term leave in accordance with Article 17. If a GSR requests a leave they should:

  1. Inform faculty advisor and soe-grstaff@ucmerced.edu via email of the request.
  2. The SOE Graduate Programs Services team will work in consultation with Academic Personnel Services on your request and will provide you with a Leave Request form.
  3. Complete the Leave Request form per instructions from Academic Personnel and the SOE Graduate Programs Services team.
  4. Return the form along with documentation required by the type of leave to soe-grstaff@ucmerced.edu. The SOE Graduate Programs Services team will obtain the required approvals and will copy you on the email submitting the form to Academic Personnel.
  5. Academic Personnel will notify you once the leave request is approved or denied along with further instructions.