Note:
It is expected that all currently employed and prospective Teaching
Assistants for the Department of Computer Science and Engineering have
fully read, understood, and agree to the guidelines set forth in this
document. The Union Contract Agreement is the authoritative document for
any questions about the differrences between this document and the Union
Contract Agreement.
Compensation
Students typically work for 25% (10 hours/week) or 50% (20 hours/week)
as TA's. These appointments usually come with a fee subsidy of
approximately $2500/quarter. The projected salary for 2007-2008 will
be $910/month (25% appointment) and $1820/month (50% appointment.) When
guaranteed financial support offers are made during admissions, the
department will pay for fees and tuition (first year only.)
TA Work Rules
These rules are intended as a general job description for students
employed as Teaching Assistants in the Department of Computer Science
and Engineering. Teaching Assistants should be sure to discuss any
academically related matters (e.g. curriculum, teaching methods) with
the instructor, the master TA and/or the departmental TA advisor.
Teaching Assistants will be given 30 days notice and an opportunity to
comment before any substantive changes are made to the CSE Teaching
Assistants' job description or responsibilities.
The Role of the TA and the Instructor
Teaching Assistants enhance the learning experience of UCSD students by
complementing the activities of the course instructor. TAs receive
training under the mentorship and supervision of the instructor.
Duties
Specific job responsibilities will vary with teaching assignment, and
the instructor will communicate the specific responsibilities expected
of the TA at the beginning of the quarter. The TA and the instructor
share joint responsibility for ensuring that each understands the
division of work responsibilities.
TA duties may include, but are not limited to, the following: facilitate
a discussion section or tutorial; hold weekly office hours; e-mail
contact; grade homework, programming assignments, exams, or projects;
keep records; distribute and copy reading materials; prepare answer keys
or supplementary notes; and act as course web-master. TAs may be
required to attend the instructor's lecture regularly.
Training
In accordance with University rules, all TAs are required to participate
in the TA training program provided by the Center for Teaching
Development. This requirement will not be waived regardless of prior
teaching experience.
In addition to the training above, CSE students are encouraged to sign up for CSE599 (Teaching Methods in Computer Science) prior to or during their first quarter as a TA. This course is made available each fall.
Faculty should periodically evaluate the TA's performance and provide
the TA with constructive feedback. Faculty and senior TA may provide
training in developing teaching skills in relations to the duties stated
above.
Workload
A TA with a 50% appointment shall not be assigned a workload of more
than 220 hours per quarter. This rule applies proportionally to 25%
appointments. In addition, a TA shall not be assigned a workload of more
than 40 hours in any one week. The number of hours worked in excess of
20 hours per week may not total more than 50 hours per quarter.
A TA may not be employed as a substitute instructor, where the effect is
to relieve the instructor of his or her teaching responsibilities. (This
is specifically prohibited by University Policy.) In case an instructor
is absent from school, they will normally ask another faculty member to
act as a substitute. However, in the event of an emergency, the
Department Chair may ask the TA to substitute for the instructor. A TA
may decline to substitute for the instructor if doing so would interfere
with their studies (e.g. a class), or if they feel unprepared to
lecture.
Whenever a TA serves as a substitute lecturer, a faculty member
shall be appointed to supervise.
Disputes regarding workload are not subject to Article 11, Grievance and
Arbitration of the Union Contract Agreement. For workload complaint
procedure, please see Article 30, Workload.
Course Credit
The CSE Department requires TAs to take between two or four credits of
CSE 500 each quarter they are employed as a TA. CSE 500 should be taken
for S/U grade only. The number of credits should be discussed with the
faculty supervisor and the Student Affairs Coordinator. Credit is
awarded for instruction a TA receives under the mentorship of a faculty
advisor. Such instruction will enable the TA to develop the skills and
knowledge necessary to enhance the learning experience of students.
Areas of instruction include, but are not limited to: organizing
discussion sections or tutorials, writing homework or test questions,
setting grading policies, communication and teaching skills that promote
learning. Instruction will entail regular faculty contact hours, and may
also include visits by the faculty supervisor at the discussion sections
given by a TA. Lastly, instruction my include outside preparation to
gain specialized knowledge required by a particular course.
Starting with the incoming class in the Fall quarter 1998, all CSE
students enrolled in the PhD program must have one quarter of training
as a Teaching Assistant. This is a formal degree requirement and must be
completed before the student is permitted to graduate. The requirement
is met by student serving as a 50% TA with pay (Student must also be enrolled in 4 units of CSE 500).
Work Attendance and Preparation
TA course responsibilities begin at the start of the academic quarter
and continue until the final grades have been turned in-usually the
Tuesday after the end of final exams. TAs are responsible for contacting
the instructor for their course prior to the first day of instruction
and for determining when their responsibilities have finished for the
quarter.
TAs are expected to be present during scheduled office hours or
sections. If a TA must cancel office hours or sections due to illness or
another conflict, they should notify their students as soon as possible
preferably by an announcement in the course lecture, but at least by
having a notice posted at the appropriate location. The instructor
should also be notified. Cancelled office hours or sections should be
rescheduled, if possible, in consultation with the instructor.
TAs are expected to be adequately prepared for office hours and
sections. (For sections, it is common to spend as much time preparing
examples or other notes as in the section itself.)
Compliance with Academic Appointment Guidelines
TA's have academic appointments and must comply with all the regulations
relating to such a position. These include regulations prohibiting
Sexual Harassment, misuse of University property, substance abuse, and
any violations of the law. The definitive source about such regulations is the
UCSD Policies and Procedures Manual.
Graduate students who accept an offer of a teaching assistantship have a
professional obligation to teach during that period. Students who are
not able to fulfill their commitment to teach should notify the
Department as early as possible in order that a qualified replacement
may be found. Only students with equal to or greater than a 25% teaching
appointment are eligible for a partial fee remission; students who elect
not to teach, or who reduce their workload to less than a 25%
appointment must obtain tuition support from another source, (i.e.,
Graduate Student Researcher).
Confidentiality
All completed assignments, exams, grades, correspondence, and other
information about individual students in the class shall be kept
confidential except where the student has given written consent. In
particular:
- No student in the class should ever be allowed access to a TA computer
account or to TA files. Grade files on the computer should be kept
protected.
- Grades should never be posted by name, nor by any identifying number
such as a student ID or social security number.
- Graded assignments should not be left in a public place.
- Answer keys or exam materials should be kept secure in a locked drawer.
These provisions are consistent with Federal and State privacy laws.
Use of Authority
Decisions made by TAs have a significant effect on their students'
grades. TAs should carry out their responsibilities professionally, and
be especially careful not to abuse their authority. TAs should evaluate
student work objectively and fairly. In particular:
- TAs may not agree to be paid as tutors for students in their class.
These students would by definition receive preferential access to the
TA.
- TAs should not become romantically involved with students in their
class. Such involvement makes objective evaluation difficult and also
raises questions of sexual harassment.
- If a TA has a friend or partner who is a student in the class, then they
should not grade that student's papers.
Safety
On rare occasions, a TA may be threatened or harassed by a student,
either in person or by electronic mail. These problems should be taken
seriously. The TA must immediately report the incident to the instructor
and to the Master TA, who will attempt to resolve the problem.
Grievances
Please refer to the Grievance Procedures as outlined in the Union
Contract Agreement, Article 11. Disputes regarding workload are not
subject to Article 11, Grievance and Arbitration of this Agreement. For
workload complaint procedure, please see Article 30, Workload.
 | 
