Graduate Assistant Employment Considerations

Overview

Graduate Assistant (GA) job profiles require active student status and are administratively managed by Human Resources and Organizational Effectiveness (HROE). In cases of job performance or conduct concerns, consultation with the HR Generalist is required to determine appropriate corrective actions. Additionally, any termination of employment must be reviewed and approved by the Office of General Counsel (OGC), with coordination facilitated by HROE’s Employee Relations department. 

Academic Dismissal

All actions related to the GA’s academic and/or student status are the purview of their academic department, college, and Graduate and Professional School, not HROE.  

  • The Graduate and Professional School must be contacted regarding review of any proposed change in academic/student status for the GA. 

  • Loss of student status would automatically result in termination of employment in any position requiring student status.  The employment termination action is facilitated by the HR Generalist in coordination with Employee Relations. 

Changes to Employment Status

  • When a supervisor or department is considering terminating a student's employment, the HR Generalist must be consulted.  

  • Before terminating employment, the HR Generalist will consult with appropriate leadership, and Employee Relations.  

  • International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) must be informed if the GA is a VISA holder and termination of employment is approved. 

  • If the GA is transferred (with department head approval) within the department to another supervisor/lab or alternate teaching assignment, a termination review is not required. 

  • The Graduate and Professional School must be informed if: 

    • The GA is on a Graduate and Professional School facilitated fellowship/award such as, Avilés-Johnson, Future Faculty Fellowship (F3), IDP Merit, Pathways, or Doctoral Research Excellence Award (DREA) and termination of employment is approved.  Contact grad-award-admin@tamu.edu. 

    • The GA is receiving GREAT Program supplemental funding and termination of employment is approved.  Contact great@tamu.edu. 

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