Graduate Student Assistantship Rules and Regulations
Approved by COD and President on Jan. 28, 2015
Introduction
A graduate student is a valuable asset who may be offered an assistantship in the form of tuition waiver and/or stipend. A University Graduate Student Assistantship (UGSA) is offered to a student who is assigned as Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) or as Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) by the respective department. A GTA will mainly teach remedial and/or introductory courses whereas a GRA will mainly be engaged in research projects under the supervision of a full-time faculty member. The objective of a UGSA is to increase the efficiency of teaching, enhance research activities and promote NDU’s graduate programs. In addition, it provides graduate students teaching and research opportunities that help them develop their critical thinking, scholarly competence, cultural maturity, and professional and administrative experiences in accordance with the mission, vision, core values and strategic goals of Notre Dame University–Louaize (NDU).
Eligibility
To be eligible, all applicants should have a full-time load.
- NDU Students must have:
- A minimum of 3.3 GPA in the undergraduate major
- Three recommendation letters
- An interview by the concerned Faculty Graduate Committee
- In addition to the above, applicants from other universities to NDU should complete a minimum of 6 graduate credits at NDU with a GPA of 3.5 and above. This requirement may be waived upon the discretion of the Faculty Graduate Committee
- Other grading systems will be assessed by the concerned Faculty Graduate Committee to determine the GPA in the major field of study
- During the summer session, graduate students may be eligible for a GTA/GRA depending on the approved needs of the respective department
Duration
A GTA/GRA is granted assistantship for the duration of one semester/summer session.
Conditional Renewal
A GTA/GRA is renewed if,
- The respective department decides on the continuous need for an assistantship
- The student maintains a GPA of 3.5 and above
Duties of a GTA/GRA
A GTA/GRA will be assigned duties by the Faculty Graduate Committee upon the request of the chairperson of the respective department.
- The duties of a GTA/GRA shall be defined by the concerned department and shall be 20 hours per week
- A Teaching/Research Assistant will not be assigned to perform non-academic duties.
Selection Process and Appointment Procedure
Upon announcement of a GTA/GRA by the concerned Faculty:
- A graduate student shall submit an application
- The concerned Faculty Graduate Committee will oversee the selection process. It shall:
- Review applications (transcripts, recommendation letters, etc.)
- Conduct interviews
- Assess the research potential of the candidate
- Evaluate a one-hour teaching presentation by the candidate
- Upon approval, the concerned dean shall offer the student, on behalf of the University, an official letter/contract for final signature.
- The appointment procedure is completed when the candidate signs the letter/contract and when it is ratified by the signature of the President on behalf of the University.
Compensation
The GTA/GRA shall receive:
- Full tuition waiver. For a GRA, the tuition shall be paid for, primarily, by grants/funds received by the GRA advisor/thesis supervisor. Any outstanding tuition balance shall be settled by NDU through the GRA carrying additional academic duties.
- A stipend of up to LL300,000/month
- Student parking during the duration of the contract
Enactment
The present policy shall take effect immediately after its approval by the President.