Appointment Procedures for Graduate Student Instructors and Graduate Student Staff Assistants

The nature and definitions of GSI and GSSA positions, as well as other information about the terms and conditions of employment in such positions, are described in the University’s collective bargaining agreement between the University and the Graduate Employees Organization.

Current information about stipends and processing dates is available in the memorandum regarding “Processing Appointments for Graduate Student Assistants” from Daniel A. Gamble of Academic and Staff HR Services

When to Process Appointments
All appointment forms and documents (listed below) should be prepared and submitted prior to the beginning of the term or other period of appointment.

Late appointments: In this context, a ‘late appointment’ is one that is sent to Human Resources subsequent to the first pay date of the appointment period involved. Because the specific period of appointment for GSI’s and GSSA’s has numerous implications for the employee contractual rights and benefits, a written statement affirming that the activities involved in the appointment are, in fact, taking place throughout the designated period should accompany any late appointments. Even with proper documentation, the late processing of a GSI/GSSA appointment could have adverse impacts, such as:

• Wage payments can be delayed
• Insurance coverage, tuition waivers, and other benefits afforded to GSI’s / GSSA’s can be affected.
• The University could be subject to penalties if the Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9) is not processed on a timely basis.

FORMS AND PROCEDURES FOR APPOINTMENT AND REAPPOINTMENT OF A GSI OR GSSA

1. Forms required for initial appointments include:

   a. Appointment Request (36400)
   b. Supplemental Appointment Information (36100)
   c. Educational Assistant Personnel Record (36510)
   d. Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9)
   e. Tax Withholding Forms (Federal W-4 and MI W-4)
   f. Fraction Calculation Form
   

2. The processes required for re-appointment of Graduate Student Instructors (as well as Staff and Research Assistants) who have been appointed within the past two terms are described in detail in the Pathways document: “Reappoint Graduate Students Procedure,” available at:
   http://www.mpathways.umich.edu/hr/download/tk_hr_hr603_12_m2_reappointgradstudents.doc
   
   NOTE: A new Fraction Calculation Form is necessary to reappoint GSI’s and GSSA’s
   
3. Documents that are optional OR should accompany appointments only as necessary:
   
   a) Check Deposit Authorization Form (receive pay checks the fact way)
   b) U.S. Mail Authorization (receive pay checks the slow way)

Termination Request Form (#36605) : processed at the end of the appointment period, if it is anticipated that a student will not be reappointed in any capacity for more than two consecutive terms.

All forms, with appropriate authorizing signatures, should be submitted directly to:

HUMAN RESOURCE RECORDS AND INFORMATION SERVICES
4073 Wolverine Tower 3003 South State Street Ann Arbor MI 48109-1281
(734) 764-9250 FAX (734) 763-1283

Questions about the University’s collective bargaining agreement with GEO should be directed to Academic and Staff HR Services.