Graduate Assistantship and Associateship
Students with Graduate Assistantships/Associateships are part time (50% time) employees of the University on fiscal-year (12-month) appointments. Specific job responsibilities are determined by the Chair of their PAC or Major Advisor and are usually closely linked to the execution of their thesis/dissertation research. Graduate Assistantships or Associateships are awarded to students in the School of Plant Sciences by the Director based on recommendations of the GSPC. For new students, decisions on Assistantship/Associateship awards are based on admission materials. These criteria, as well as Annual Progress Reports, are used for decisions regarding previously admitted students. Assistantships/Associateships are not awarded to specific faculty or research programs. Assistantships/Associateships awarded by the School are subject to review each semester.
Unlike assistantships, the majority of fellowships and traineeships are supported by funds not appropriated by the University. If a faculty member in the SPS administers these sources of support, the faculty member is responsible for all decisions related to management of the fellowship. This includes the initial award statement of work responsibilities, performance evaluation, setting stipend (based on University minima) and duration of support. Generally faculty administrators of fellowships serve as the fellow's Major Advisor. Traineeships are generally provided directly to the student by funding agencies (e.g. foreign governments, private companies, non governmental aid organizations) that do not have a faculty administrator in the SPS. Work responsibilities and evaluation vary widely for traineeships. Students supported by fellowships or traineeships should consult with their PAC or Major Advisor and make arrangements to ensure that time spent in rotations does not violate the terms of their support.
The Graduate College offers a limited
number of Graduate Tuition Scholarships, which waive out of state tuition,
and Graduate Fee Scholarships, which waive the Registration fee. These
scholarships are awarded based on academic performance and minimum criteria
established by the Graduate College. Recipients are recommended by the
GSPC and approved by the Graduate College. Information on application
requirements and deadlines is available from the Program
Coordinator. Additional information on financial support can be obtained
from the Office of Student Financial Aid, Room 203, Administration Building.
Graduate students supported on assistantships
are considered both students and University employees. As students, they
will have time off from classes, and can expect to take advantage of major
holidays, e.g., Thanksgiving, Winter Break, etc. However, they should
plan to take no more than two weeks of additional vacation per year, usually
in the summer. Once students select a Major Advisor, they should discuss
vacation plans in advance.
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