Graduate Student Appointments: Graduate Student Research Assistantship Program - Sample: GSRA ‘OFFER LETTER’

Academic Human Resources

To: [name] 
From: [authorized agent of the appointing academic or research unit]
Date:
Subject: GSRA appointment

I am pleased to inform you that the Department of <<______>> is able to offer you a graduate student research assistantship. The beginning date for this appointment will be ______, and the ending date will be _____. Your appointment fraction will be ___%. This fraction will provide you with a stipend of $<<x,xxx/term or /mo.>>

Your appointment will support research with Professor<<X>> in her <<lab or on her project titled <<name>>]. Specific duties and schedules should be discussed with Prof. <<X>>. Given that research support and the related activity can vary over time, your specific duties and schedules may also change.

This offer is conditional and contingent upon the following:

  • Satisfactory documentary evidence of work eligibility in the U.S.
  • Satisfactory contributions to the involved research
  • Continued satisfactory performance in your academic program.
  • In the case of Fall or Winter Term appointments: Registration for at least 6 credit hours of graduate course work during the term(s) of employment.

A summary of the important features of GSRA appointments is contained in the attached document, titled:”Some Important Features of GSRA Appointments”

Please indicate your acceptance of this offer signing below in the spaces provided, and the letter to me by <<date>>.

Finally, if other opportunities for support become available to you, or if there is a change in your plans which result in a decision not to accept or to continue as a GSRA in the department, please notify me immediately. If you have any questions about this appointment please see<<name>> at <<phone number or email>>.

I accept this offer:

______________________________________
Signature, Date

NOTE: This is a ‘sample letter’, intended to document several important features of GSRA appointments. Thus, some of the specific text may not be appropriate for all situations. Departments can, of course, develop their own ‘GSRA offer letters’ and/or use other methods (e.g. a department-sponsored orientation session) to inform graduate students of the terms and conditions of new GSRA appointments.