Physics TA Contracts

Fall 2007 Physics TA Contract

Responsibilities and Rights: Logistics

• The TA is expected to be available during the times to which she/he has been assigned.
• The TA is expected to be punctual and be available at the scheduled times- please no tardiness.
• It is the TAs 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 of any arrangements for substitution of shifts.
• The TA must notify the PTL Office 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 a scheduled shift, the TA must notify 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 will contact TA’s via email. It is the TAs responsibility to check messages regularly and keep informed of what is happening.
• Scheduling is a tricky task, especially at the beginning of the semester. Please be patient with changes to the schedule. TAs should check the latest version of the schedule regularly since changes are made on a daily basis.
• TAs are expected to leave the room ready for the next section. This includes but is not limited to removing leftover papers, notifying the PTL Office of damaged or non-functional equipment, making sure each station has all the materials required for the lab, erasing the board and logging off all the computer stations in the room.
• TAs should report any computer or network problems to the PTL Office.

Responsibilities and Rights: Teaching & Duties

• TAs are expected to be prepared for the lab that they are teaching. Preparing for the lab involves having gone through the lab ahead of time (P201 is equipped for lab preparation), and being able to explain the process and the concepts involved in the lab.
• TAs are not expected to complete students’ work.
• 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 improving their understanding of physics and their experimental problem solving skills.
• TAs have the right to say ‘I don’t know’ and seek additional information that will enable her/him to answer the question.
• TAs have the right to attend training and seek resources to improve his/her teaching 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.
• TAs are expected to provide feedback to students while in the classroom and on the student’s written work. This should be provided in a timely fashion, preferably for the following week of lab, no later than two weeks after the work has been turned in.
• TAs are expected to keep a grading record or their student’s progress and be able to substantiate those grades.
• TAs must submit a copy of the semester final lab grades on the day of the final exam for the section. These grades must be sent to the instructor and to the Physics Main Office.
• TAs are expected to attend weekly TA meetings.
• TAs are expected to comply with directions from the PTL Office and the lecture instructor for their section.
• TAs are expected to complete any and all duties assigned to them by the Physics Department. If any conflict should arise that prevents the TA from completing said duties, it is the TA’s responsibilities to speak to his/her supervisor to make the necessary arrangements.
• TAs are expected to hold office hours weekly and be accessible to students during those times.
• TAs are responsible for assuring the safety of the students at all times.
• TAs are responsible for making sure the students are using the equipment correctly and safely.
• TAs are expected to contact the instructor for the course at the beginning of the semester to establish procedure, communications, grading policies and special requests from the instructor.

Responsibilities and Rights: TA-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 in the community.
• Students and TAs have the right to expect an alcohol and drug free environment.
• Students and TAs have the right to expect the PTL Office to maintain appropriate rules to promote effective learning 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 experience within the Physics Department.
• 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 TA and student.
• TAs and students have the right to report any unwanted advances or behavior, 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.

I understand the responsibilities and rights described above and agree to abide by those as a Physics Teaching Assistant. 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.