Resources for Graduate and Teaching Assistants

If your application for a GA or TA position is successful, your hiring Department will advise you that a “job offer” for a GA or TA appointment will be coming from UWinsite People (the University's Human Resources and Payroll System) and will provide you further instructions.

New GAs and TAs who have not been previously employed by the University will need to be issued an Employee Number by Human Resources (HR), and must complete mandatory training for new employees. For guidance contact the department where you are offered a GA or TA appointment and review the instructions on the HR website under section titled "For Students: New Hire Package”.

Students who have questions about their employment contract or HR processes should refer to the HR website under section titled "For Students: New Hire Package” or contact Human Resources at hrstudent@uwindsor.ca.

The graduate or teaching assistant must not commence their GA or TA work duties until they have received an email from Humen Resources with the subject line of “Authorization to commence GA/TA duties". 

For collective agreement guidance, GAs and TAs should refer to the current CUPE4580 Collective Agreement and/or reach out to their CUPE local 4580 representative for guidance.

As a GA or TA employee, you will be reporting for your work duties to your GA/TA employment "supervisor".

In most instances, your GA/TA employment supervisor is the instructor of the course you have been assigned to as a GA or TA.

Assigned duties are in accordance with article 15:03 of the CUPE 4580 GA/TA Collective agreement.

Note that as a GA or TA, you hold an employment position at the University of Windsor. You cannot have another individual attend, complete tasks, or carry out any portion of your assigned duties on your behalf. This is considered a serious violation of your employment contract and can result in disciplinary action in accordance with Article 11 of the CUPE 4580 GA/TA Collective agreement. 

A document titled "Form 1 - Description of Duties and Allocation of Hours"  will be provided by the Department and must be completed by the graduate or teaching assistant and their GA/TA supervisor (e.g. course instructor):​

• Follow the instructions for completing Form 1 provided by your hiring Department (i.e. the Department where you were offered a GA or TA position).
• A meeting to discuss duties and complete Form 1 must be held between the GA or TA and their supervisor no later than 10 working days after the start of the GA or TA employment (article 15:04 of the CUPE 4580 GA/TA Collective agreement). 
• Form 1 must be populated with a detailed description of the duties and breakdown of the assigned hours and must be signed by both the GA/TA and the supervisor.
• Note that assistants are expected to make themselves available to report for all assigned work duties throughout the duration of their appointment. Ensure you clarify expectations and discuss your work responsibilities in full. Inform your Supervisor immediately of any concerns regarding your expected duties - e.g. discuss potential time conflicts with your own class schedule/exams, etc.
• Your duties may involve both in-person/on-campus and remote/online duties. Most classes across the University are held face-to-face on campus, and even online classes may require on-campus face-to-face duties. Ensure you have discussed and clarified your duty expectations with your GA/TA supervisor.

• The format of Form 1 provides for a mid-course review and, where appropriate, revision of the initially assigned duties and distribution of hours. Any changes must be recorded on the same Form 1, with the date of the review meeting noted, and the amended form should be signed again by assistant, supervisor, and AAU Head (digital signatures are acceptable). If there are no changes only the date of the review and signatures should be recorded on the form.
• An assistant must NOT work more hours than the total hours listed on their contract. If an assistant believes that they are likely to exceed the assigned hours in their contract, they must inform their supervisor in writing at least 20 hours prior to completion of the total hours in their contract (article 15:06 of the CUPE 4580 GA/TA Collective agreement). A notation to this effect appears also on Form 1. 

The completed and signed Form 1 for each assistant is to be submitted to the hiring Department. For questions or guidance on complting Form 1 please contact your hiring Department.

Graduate Assistant and Teaching Assistant Introductory Handbook

Review the GATA Network team's GA/TA Handbook (launched in 2024) designed to support GAs/TAs as they begin their roles. Chapters include common GA/TA roles and responsibilities, grading and effective feedback, leading labs and tutorials, teaching strategies and other various resources.

GATA network resources

For information on workshops, resources, and events coordinated by the GATA Network, please visit: www.uwindsor.ca/ctl/658/gata-network. 

The GATA network team holds GATAcademy every Fall, with interactive workshops for both new and experienced GAs and TAs.Workshops are periodically offered to graduate assistants and teaching assistants in all departments - view Resources / Workshops for GAs and TAs.

Individual Meetings through GATA Network: Individual meetings can be arranged for those who cannot attend the pre-set office hours. To set-up an individual meeting please email one of the GATA Network Coordinators at gata@uwindsor.ca.

Review the GATA Network YouTube channel for a variety of learning resources for students.

An orientation for new graduate and teaching assistants in all faculties and departments is held by the Faculty of Graduate Studies each Fall - for copies of materials and recording of the most recent orientation visit the annual GA/TA orientation workshop webpage.  

The GATAcademy is also held annually by the GATA network team, with interactive workshops for both new and experienced GAs and TAs - for information on this and other events coordinated by the GATA Network visit: www.uwindsor.ca/ctl/658/gata-network. 

If graduate students receiving GAs wish to enroll in the payroll deferment plan through the Cashier's Office, a payroll deferment form must be submitted to the cashier's office each term within the cashier's posted deadline - for details regarding the Graduate Students Payroll Deferment Plan refer to the instructions on the student accounts/cashier's payment options webpage under "Other payment options".

• CUPE 4580 Collective Agreement
• CUPE local 4580 
• The GA/TA Network Development Team works with GAs and TAs across campus, introducing them to mentors and resources they will need to improve their teaching knowledge and skills. Visit CTL's website for details or check out the GA/TA network on Facebook. 
• GATAcademy: a variety of resources targeted to GAs and TAs in all departments are available from the Centre for Teaching and Learning including the GATAcademy and other events coordinated by the GATA Network - for details please visit: www.uwindsor.ca/ctl/gatacademy.
• Faculty of Graduate Studies services and contact information
• Senate Bylaws and Policies:
  • Bylaw 31 – Academic Integrity
  • Bylaw 54 – Undergraduate Academic Evaluation Procedures
  • Bylaw 55 - Graduate Academic Evaluation Procedures
  • Policy on Conduct of Exams and Tests
  • Policy on Sexual Misconduct
  • Policy on Harassment Prevention
  • Policy on Student Code of Conduct
• Academic Integrity Office
• Centre for Teaching and Learning
• Required Employee Training
• Registrar’s Office
• Human Resources Office - student appointments information
• Cashier’s Office
• Office of Human Rights, Conflict Resolution and Mediation
• Health and Safety
• Sexual Misconduct Response & Prevention Office
• Graduate Student Society
• International Student Centre
• Student Support Services
• Student Success Centre