Policies for Graduate Appointments

Policies for Graduate Student Employee Appointments and Application Process

These policies apply to UIC graduate students who hold graduate assistantships as Teaching Assistants and Graduate Assistants in the Department of Black Studies as well as Research Assistants who work directly with faculty in Black Studies and the Black Midwest Initiative. Please note that the Department of Black Studies is only able to offer graduate assistantships with a funding commitment from the UIC College of Liberal Arts and Sciences. 

Appointment/Reappointment Guidelines Heading link

The Department offers two types of regular appointments for graduate students during the academic year: two (2) Teaching Assistantships (TA) for BLST 100: Introduction to Black Studies as well as one (1) administrative Graduate Assistantship (GA).

Research Assistantships (RA) are offered through Department of Black Studies faculty only.

The administrative Graduate Assistantship is allocated for the academic year (Aug 16th through May 15th of the following year). The GA is paid at a rate established by the GEO contract minimum salary for 50% appointment (i.e. 20 hours/week). Each semester, the Assistant Director of Black Studies asks GA to submit their availability and course schedule to determine work schedule. Each semester, the 50% administrative GA is required to work at least 4 business days/week. The Department of Black Studies will appoint and reappoint administrative graduate assistants based on careful consideration of the following criteria:

  • Expression of interest by the student
  • Credentials and required experience reflected in CV/cover letter
  • Performance in duties outlined in job description
  • Evaluation by direct supervisor (interview by direct supervisor for initial appointment)
  • Student’s availability to work at least four (4) business days throughout the academic year
  • Availability of funds

Each initial Teaching Assistantship is allocated on a semester-to-semester basis to support the instruction of BLST 100: Introduction to Black Studies. After the first academic year, the Teaching assistantship will be appointed on an annual basis (Aug 16th through May 15th). The TA is paid at a rate established by the GEO contract minimum salary for 50% appointment (i.e. 20 hours/week). One section of BLST 100 (with four accompanying discussion section) is offered each Fall and Spring semester. The Department assigns each Teaching Assistant to two (2) discussion sections for the semester they are hired. These assignments are based on student availability, preferences, and semester course schedule. Each semester, the Assistant Director of Black Studies asks TAs to submit their availability and preferences for the scheduled discussion sections. The Department of Black Studies will appoint and reappoint administrative graduate assistants based on careful consideration of the following criteria:

  • Expression of interest by the student
  • Credentials and required experience reflected in CV/cover letter
  • Performance in duties outlined in job description
  • Evaluation by direct supervisor (interview by direct supervisor for initial appointment)
  • Student’s availability to lead two BLST 100 discussion sections on Fridays
  • Availability of funds

TA-ship ONLY: The highest priority/preference will be given to Black Studies Graduate concentrators and/or students who have training in Black Studies or related interdisciplinary fields of study as well as TA experience.

As noted above, Research Assistantships are offered directly with Black Studies faculty. Faculty will appoint and reappoint research assistantships based on careful consideration of the following criteria:

  • Expression of interest by the student
  • Credentials and required experience reflected in CV/cover letter
  • Performance in duties outlined in job description
  • Evaluation by direct supervisor (interview by direct supervisor for initial appointment)
  • Student’s availability
  • Availability of funds

Application Process Heading link

The Department sends announcements to the Black Studies graduate concentrator listserv and to other UIC units about open positions for Teaching Assistantships, Graduate Assistantships, and Research Assistantships.

Open TA and GA positions for the upcoming academic year are posted in the Spring semester prior to. RA positions are announced as they are needed by faculty in the Department of Black Studies. Applicants are asked to send in a copy of their CV and cover letter. Applicants for the TA positions are referred to the faculty member responsible for teaching BLST 100: Introduction to Black Studies. Interviews for GA positions are conducted by the Assistant Director and Senior Business Manager of the Department of Black Studies.