Appointment Process for Graduate Assistantships and Graduate Work-Study Positions

Once the qualified applicant’s materials are complete, the academic department head/director submits, to the dean of the appropriate college, a recommendation for appointment. The recommendation specifies the type of assistantship, the appointment period, and the amount of the stipend. Upon concurrence by dean, the recommendation is sent to the Director of Graduate Studies and Research for approval. Following the director’s approval, the dean sends an offer letter to the graduate student, which requires a written response for acceptance or rejection. Copies of the offer letter and the student’s response should be sent to the academic department and to Graduate Studies.

In administrative units not reporting to a dean, there is a difference in procedure. In this case, the appropriate university administrator sends the qualified applicants’ completed materials, accompanied by a specific recommendation for appointment, to the Director of Graduate Studies and Research for approval. Following the director’s approval, the administrator sends an offer letter to the graduate student, which requires a written response for acceptance or rejection.

In either case, the recommendation memo, appointment letter, and student response form should follow the format recommended by Graduate Studies. Copies of the offer letter and the student’s response should be sent to the academic department and to Graduate Studies.