1.  Are required to maintain a log of the hours worked.  Logs must be countersigned by the supervising faculty members and should indicate the total number of hours worked and remaining for the semester.  A copy of the assistant’s log for each week will be turned into the department secretary, Patricia Riggs, no later than 5:00 p.m. Monday of the following week.  Failure to maintain adequate records is grounds for dismissal.

2.  Must establish regular work schedule which is acceptable to the professor to whom they have been assigned.  A copy of the regular work schedule should be filed with the Chair of the department at the beginning of each semester of employment.

3.  Are required to work a total of 16 weeks per semester.  Thus, 1/2 assistantships will require 160 hours per semester, ¾ assignments 240 hours, and full assistantships 320 hours.  It is expected that this schedule will involve work from the beginning the first week of classes through the end of finals week, unless otherwise arranged with your supervisor.  Assistants will not be required to work during the Christmas holidays or Spring Break, but GA’s may work during this time if agreed by both GA and supervisor.

4.  Are professional in their relationship with undergraduates.  Graduate Assistants sustain the same responsibilities for positive helpful attitude and commitment to the University principles as any of the professors where undergraduates or other persons within the University are concerned.

5.  Must exhibit integrity and ethical conduct when responsible for grading papers and test or having access to other privileged or confidential information.  Violation of client or students privacy will result in immediate dismissal.  Disclosure of restricted test materials will result in immediate dismissal.  Graduate assistants will protect the privacy of any tests, answer keys, confidential reports, and research projects or manuscripts with which they work.  In all respects, the assistant’s behavior will conform to the spirit and letter of the Ethical Principles of Psychologists and Code of Conduct (American Psychological Association, 1992).

6.  Will not routinely perform duties for professors other than their assigned supervisor, unless the request is agreeable to their supervising professor.  Such duties must not interfere with the GA’s primary responsibilities.

7.  Realize that all products of their work performed as a salaried graduate assistant remain the property of the Department of Psychology of Abilene Christian University.

8.  Are responsible for appropriate use of all materials placed at their disposal.  Use of work space, computers, and other items for class assignments, projects, thesis or other personal use is not permitted.

9.  Acknowledge that all copyrighted material, including psychological tests, professional books and journal articles, and computer software are protected by law and will behave in an ethical manner in this regard.  Under no circumstances will the assistant place the department or the University at risk by violating these copyright laws.

10.  Must return all keys in useable condition and verify that no unauthorized duplication or transferal has taken place  If keys are not returned to Patricia Riggs transcripts will be held until the keys are returned.

11.  Will not engage in, nor tolerate in other graduate assistants, faculty or staff any unlawful or unethical discrimination  or sexual or emotional harassment of any person.  Reports of such events should be made immediately to the Chair of the department. 

 

Professors:

1.  Will meet with assigned assistants at the beginning of the semester and clearly explain the graduate assistant duties for the semester.

2.  Will provide feedback on a regular basis to keep the graduate assistant informed on duties and performance.

3.  Will complete a graduate assistant performance appraisal at the end of the semester.

4.  Will assign duties that fall within the graduate assistant’s skills and competencies.

5.  Will see that productive use is made of the graduate assistant’s time and will volunteer unused time to the department chair to be used as needed by other faculty.

 

Chair of the Psychology Department:

1. Will be available for any questions or problems that may arise for the graduate assistant.

2. Will serve as the initial contact for clarification of policies or for dispute resolution.

3. Will communicate with the Dean of the Graduate School regarding salary and benefits of appointed graduate assistants.