Graduate Students: University Of Texas' Employees Or Not?

Graduate students at the University of Texas are eligible for employment in both academic and non-academic positions. The eligibility rules for student employment depend on the type of position and the student's status as a graduate, undergraduate, or Work-Study student. Academic graduate student employees scheduled to work for at least 20 hours a week for at least 4.5 months are eligible for employee benefits with a university contribution to the premium cost. Students holding academic positions may also be eligible for certain benefits, including resident tuition entitlement and employee insurance benefits for graduate students in academic titles. Graduate students holding assistantships must meet the GA registration requirements by the census date.

Graduate students at the University of Texas can be employed as teaching assistants, assistant instructors, or graduate research assistants

Teaching Assistants

Teaching assistants are graduate students who help faculty with the conduct and delivery of courses. Their services include grading, monitoring, leading lab and/or discussion sessions, offering office hour assistance to students, and performing clerical tasks associated with course instruction. They are supervised by the course instructor of record and are subject to established departmental policies on student academic employment.

Assistant Instructors

Assistant instructors are graduate students employed by an academic department, paid from faculty salaries, but are not reported as the "teacher of record". They are responsible for a specific group of students (usually undergraduate students) and assign grades to some portion of these students. If graduate students are assigned as instructional assistants in graduate courses, they cannot grade other students' work or have access to their grades.

Graduate Research Assistants

Graduate research assistants are currently enrolled students employed by a department or university office. They may be paid from grants, sponsored programs, indirect cost recovery, designated lines, faculty start-up accounts approved by the Division of Research, or other accounts approved by the Provost. Their work is defined by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Field Operation Handbook as being "engaged in research in the course of obtaining advanced degrees and the research is performed under the supervision of a member of the faculty in a research environment provided by the institution under a grant or contract."

Graduate students at the University of Texas can also take on roles such as digital library support specialists, providing first-line communication and technical support for users of the Texas Digital Library.

They are eligible for a tuition reduction benefit and resident tuition entitlement

Graduate students at the University of Texas are eligible for a tuition reduction benefit and resident tuition entitlement. This is a great opportunity for graduate students to gain valuable experience and reduce the financial burden of their education.

The tuition reduction benefit is available to students employed as teaching assistants, assistant instructors, and graduate research assistants. These students play a crucial role in supporting faculty members and enhancing the educational experience for their peers. In recognition of their contributions, the university offers a tuition reduction to help offset the cost of their studies. The benefit amount varies based on the number of hours worked and is paid on a semester-by-semester basis.

Additionally, non-resident students who work at least half-time in specific positions are eligible for the resident tuition entitlement. This provision, known as the Resident Tuition Entitlement, allows non-resident students to pay in-state tuition rates, significantly reducing their overall tuition costs. To qualify, students must be employed as teaching assistants, assistant instructors, graduate research assistants, academic assistants, assistants, or tutors. This benefit is especially valuable for international students or those who do not meet the criteria for in-state tuition rates.

The University of Texas understands the importance of supporting its graduate students and recognizes that the cost of tuition can be a significant burden. By offering these tuition reduction and resident tuition entitlement benefits, the university demonstrates its commitment to making education more accessible and helping students focus on their academic pursuits.

Graduate students can learn more about their eligibility for these benefits by visiting the university's Human Resources website and the Graduate Student Employment website. These websites provide detailed information on the specific requirements and application processes for each benefit. Additionally, students can contact their department's HR representative or the Graduate School for further guidance and support.

Graduate students must be enrolled in at least nine semester credit hours for a fall or spring semester assignment and three semester credit hours for a summer assignment

Graduate students at the University of Texas are required to meet minimum course load requirements, which vary depending on their employment status and the semester. For graduate students who are not employed by the university, there are no minimum course load requirements.

However, for graduate students who are employed by the university as academic employees, specific course load requirements must be fulfilled. During the fall and spring semesters, these graduate student academic employees must be enrolled in at least nine semester credit hours. On the other hand, during the summer semester, the requirement is more flexible, with a minimum requirement of three semester credit hours.

These course load requirements ensure that graduate students maintain a balance between their academic responsibilities and their employment duties. It is important to note that international graduate students may have additional requirements and should consult with the relevant university offices to ensure they meet all necessary criteria.

Additionally, graduate students employed by the university should be aware of the regulations regarding their combined university employment and semester-hour course load. Their combined responsibilities must not exceed 40 hours per week in any semester. This regulation ensures that graduate students can effectively manage their academic pursuits and employment commitments.

The University of Texas prioritizes providing positive and impactful experiential learning opportunities for its graduate and doctoral students through its student employment program. The specific objectives of this program include offering clear information to students, staff, and faculty about graduate student employment and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and university regulations.

Graduate students are eligible for employee benefits if they are scheduled to work for at least 20 hours a week for at least 4.5 months

Graduate students at the University of Texas are eligible for employee benefits if they are scheduled to work for at least 20 hours a week for at least 4.5 months. This applies to graduate students working as research assistants, teaching assistants, or graduate assistants.

Graduate students in these roles are considered to have a hybrid status, as they are both students and employees of the university. As such, they are eligible for two different categories of benefits: student benefits and employee benefits.

Student Benefits

The University of Texas offers a range of student benefits, including health insurance plans. The Grad Student Health Plan is an HMO with low out-of-pocket costs, exclusively available to benefit-eligible graduate assistants, teaching assistants, and research assistants. This plan is administered by Academic Health Plans (AHP) and underwritten by BlueCross BlueShield (BCBS) of Texas. It also includes prescription drug coverage through Prime Therapeutics. Dental and vision insurance are also offered through Delta Care USA and Superior Vision, respectively.

Employee Benefits

Graduate students who meet the minimum work requirements are eligible for the university's employee insurance plans. This includes medical, dental, and vision insurance plans. Additionally, they may be eligible for voluntary retirement savings plans, such as the UTSaver TSA and UTSaver DCP. These plans can be enrolled in at any time during the year, as long as the graduate student maintains their active employment status.

It is important to note that eligibility for employee benefits is contingent on the graduate student's employment status. If their employment hours drop below the minimum requirement or they take a break from work, they may lose their eligibility for these benefits.

Other Benefits

In addition to health and insurance benefits, graduate students at the University of Texas may be eligible for other benefits, such as tuition reduction. Beginning in the 2013-2014 academic year, graduate students employed as teaching assistants, assistant instructors, and graduate research assistants became eligible for tuition reduction benefits related to their student academic employment. The assistance amounts vary based on the number of hours of the appointment and are paid on a semester basis.

Overall, the University of Texas offers a comprehensive range of benefits for graduate students who meet the minimum work requirements. These benefits aim to support the well-being and academic success of graduate students during their time at the university.

Graduate students are not eligible for paid annual, sick, or holiday leave

Graduate students at the University of Texas are not considered employees of the university. As such, they are not eligible for paid annual, sick, or holiday leave.

The University of Texas's policy on paid holiday time off states that employees who are appointed to work at least 20 hours per week for at least 4.5 continuous months are eligible for paid holiday leave. However, the policy also specifies that "if your position requires you to have student status as a condition of employment, you aren't eligible for paid holiday time off." This means that graduate students, who are required to maintain student status, are not eligible for paid holiday leave.

Similarly, the University of Texas's policy on paid sick leave and paid vacation leave also states that "students holding positions for which student status is a requirement for employment are not eligible for [paid sick leave or] vacation leave." This again excludes graduate students, as they must maintain student status as a condition of their employment or appointment with the university.

While graduate students may not receive paid leave, they can still take time off from their studies or work responsibilities. Graduate students should refer to the university's Handbook of Operating Procedures and their specific program or department policies for more information on taking time off. Additionally, graduate students who are employed in other positions at the university, such as teaching or research assistants, may have different leave entitlements based on their specific employment contracts.

It is important to note that the University of Texas's policies on leave may vary depending on the specific campus or location. The information provided here is based on the policies of the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas). Graduate students at other University of Texas campuses should refer to their respective human resources or leave policies for detailed information on their leave entitlements.

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