Physics TA Contracts

Fall 2007 Physics PLRC Contract

Responsibilities and Rights: Logistics

• The TA is expected to be at the PLRC (Physics Room 207C) at the times that she/he is scheduled.
• The TA is expected to be punctual and be available at the scheduled times- please no tardiness.
• It is the TA’s responsibility to find a replacement for their shift if they are not able to attend their scheduled times.
• The TA should notify the PTL Office and the PLRC Coordinator of any arrangements for substitution of shifts.
• The TA must notify the PTL Office and the PLRC Coordinator of if he/she has been unable to find a substitute at least 24 hours in advance of the scheduled time.
• If there is an emergency that prevents the TA from attending the PLRC scheduled shift, the TA must notify the PLRC Coordinator and the PTL Office as soon as possible. Emergencies are events related to illness, death in the family, ER trip or family emergency. Please note that last minute panic for a test or other TA duties are not considered acceptable emergencies.
• The PTL Office and the PLRC coordinator will contact TA’s and PLRC staff via email. It is the TA’s responsibility to check messages regularly and keep informed of what is happening.
• The TA is expected to respond to requests and inquiries from the PTL Office and PLRC Coordinator in a timely fashion.
• Scheduling is a tricky task, specially at the beginning of the semester. Please be patient with changes or schedule. TA’s should check the latest version of the PLRC schedule regularly since changes are made on a daily basis.
• TAs are expected to leave the room ready for the next shift of PLRC. This includes but is not limited to removing leftover papers, straightening chairs and cleaning the whiteboards. If materials are needed (markers, erasers…) TAs are expected to refurbish the room and maintain the supplies functioning and clean. The Physics Main Office has a stock of supplies.

Responsibilities and Rights: Tutoring

• The purpose of the PLRC is to provide additional support with student’s understanding of Physics. TAs should not be a professor, an instructor or a substitute for the student’s work.
• TAs should not complete students’ homework.
• TAs have the right to expect students to come prepared to work and to focus on the subject matter.
• TAs are expected to assist the student in developing strategies for effective study, exam preparation and problem solving.
• As have the right to say ‘I don’t know’ and seek additional information that will enable them to answer the question.
• TAs have the responsibility to attend training and seek resources to improve their tutoring skills.
• TAs are expected to be knowledgeable in the subject area at hand.
• TAs have the right to expect that if a problem should arise, it will be treated with confidentiality and fairness by all staff members.
• TAs are expected to provide a fair, confidential and safe environment for students to learn.

Responsibilities and Rights: Tutor-Student Interaction

• Students and TAs have the right to be treated with respect and appreciation for any differences of ethnicity, race, gender, age, sexuality or national origin by everyone using the PLRC.
• Students have the right to be treated with respect and appreciation regardless of the students’ level of understanding of Physics.
• Students and TAs have the right to expect an alcohol and drug free environment.
• Students and TAs have the right to expect the tutoring center to maintain appropriate rules to promote effective tutoring such as scheduling, cancellations, space, noise, conduct, rules of dress and cleanliness.
• Students and TAs have the right to confidentiality in all aspects of their PLRC experience.
• TAs and students are expected to behave in the utmost professional manner. Crossing personal boundaries can be considered as harassment and abuse of the power relationship between tutor and tutee.
• TAs and students have the right to report any unwanted advances or behavior in the PLRC, and expect corrective action on the part of the PTL Office and the Physics Department.
• TAs are expected to abide by the Code of Ethics from the National Tutoring Association that is attached to this contract.

I have understood the responsibilities and rights described above and agree to abide by those as a PLRC staff member. I understand that if my performance is not satisfactory, the Physics Department could deny me future support as a graduate assistant.

Click here to download the contract in document format.