GSA seeks to improve teaching opportunities for graduate students, especially for those who seek teaching careers.  We also strive to improve and monitor TA assignment, fair treatment, and fair payment policies.

Recently grad students have complained to us about

• scarce teaching opportunities, especially to teach courses relevant to the grad student's career path.  For example, a French literature researcher may apply for a teaching job, and be asked of her experience teaching French lit.  If she's only taught French language courses, this is a great disadvantage to her job application.  We've compiled a list of alternatives to common TF assignments for students seeking better teaching opportunities.
  
• limited responsibility to grading or tutoring, in contrast to a desire to design a course, give lectures, or create homeworks and exams.  The French Department has innovated a solution which may address this complaint. 
  
• unfair or confusing TF assignment processes, by which students are frustrated in their attempts to be assigned courses in their area of expertise or interest.  We are working to establish recommended practices against such confusion or unfairness. 
  
• unfair demands made of TFs, such as heavy administrative work.

Cell Biology Department Representative Elisabeth Wurtmann leads GSA's advocacy for better graduate teaching opportunities and transparency in TA assignments.  

Please read our recent updates in graduate teaching advocacy.