Hiring Non-Academic Graduate Assistants

General Guidelines for Non-Academic Graduate Assistants

Objective
The purpose of the Graduate Assistant program is to provide graduate students with the opportunity to supplement course work with practical experience related to the student’s field of study and career/occupational objective(s). Assistantships are an extension to, and application of, classroom instruction through hands-on experience with guidance from experienced administrators and staff within the department. In addition, a qualified faculty member directly supports the student’s assistantship experience by working closely with the student and the department/supervisor through for example, site visitations, interaction with department personnel, discussions with Graduate Assistants concerning department feedback/evaluation, and incorporating the experience into an academic learning experience. 

During the assistantship period, the Graduate Assistant is expected to use the theoretical learnings from the classroom and put them into practice. From this the student gains hands-on experience and knowledge in their field of study. The gained experience may be helpful in finishing their degree and/or assist them with employment upon graduation. 

A non-academic graduate assistantship should be consistent with the student’s field of study at St. John's University. 

Attributes for Structuring an Assistantship

  • Provides the Graduate Assistant with a practical real-world experience in his/her field of study;
  • Enables the Graduate Assistant to develop important experiential skills, which cannot be taught in the classroom. These experiences can vary and be both project-oriented as well as learning how to navigate in a business/functional environment;
  • Improves critical thinking and problem-solving skills;
  • Enables the Graduate Assistant to compare and apply theoretical ideas learned in the classroom to activities in a business/functional setting, giving it relevance and meaning;
  • Provides the Graduate Assistant with experience in an actual office/department before entering the job market. Such experience will impact job prospects and will teach what is expected in terms of professional behavior.

Being Compliant

In compliance with applicable law, St. John’s University will not approve a non-academic Graduate Assistanship position unless all of the following are true:

  • The Graduate Assistant experience is primarily for the benefit of the student;
  • The Graduate Assistant does not displace a regular employee, but works under their close observation;
  • The sponsoring department that provides the assistantship derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the Graduate Assistant;
  • The Graduate Assistant is not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the training period;
  • The department and the Graduate Assistant understands that the student is not entitled to wages for the time spent in training – only the stipend and tuition remission they receive. The Graduate Assistant will be required to sign an acknowledgment to this effect.

Students engaged in activities of a religious or charitable nature in furtherance of the Mission may be subject to different guidelines than those set forth above.


If you feel that you would be able to fulfill the requirements please complete the form and return it (in electronic format as well as a paper copy) to:

Irene Caccavallo
Office of the Provost 

[email protected]

Please complete the Request for a Non-Academic Graduate Assistant Form (Word)

This form is to be completed by a representative of the department who is requesting to hire a non-academic graduate assistant. (Revised April 9, 2022)


Electronic Personnel Change Form Information
 

The guide explaining the new Electronic Personnel Change Form to be used in hiring Graduate Assistants, can be found here.

Graduate Assistant or Doctoral Fellow Summer Agreements

1. If the student is hired for the Summer semester the Electronic Personnel Change Form (EPCF) must be created, submitted and budget approved by Wednesday, May 18th  so the student can receive email instructions to view and accept the Agreement on UIS. You can only award up to 6 credits total for the Summer agreements.

***You must use a query date of 06/01/2022 for the Summer session I or Full summer EPCF (Session I & II) ***You must use a query date of 7/16/2022 if you are creating just the Summer session II EPCF. 

2. Summer 2022 tuition and fees were eBilled to all registered students with varying due dates based on first registered session. See webpage for more information: https://www.stjohns.edu/admission/tuition-and-financial-aid/tuition/tuition-due-dates 

3.  If a student has received confirmation that he/she will receive a Graduate assistantship or Fellowship that covers tuition in full or partially, then student needs to pay the university fees plus any remaining tuition balance due by the due date, May 23rd . 

4. Please  emphasize to your contracted student they are responsible for the university fees and/or other fees, and that they should pay the balance of fees by the close of business on the due date of their first registered session. 

5. Should your student have any questions regarding their tuition bill, fees or tuition remission they can contact the Customer Service Center at 718-990-2000 and an advisor will review the student's account.

 

Graduate Assistant or Doctoral Fellow FALL agreements

1.If the student is hired for the FALL semester the Electronic Personnel Change Form (EPCF) must be created, submitted and budget approved by JUNE 15th  so the student can receive email instructions to view and accept the Agreement on UIS. Your student must be registered fulltime and the EPCF is for tuition remission and a stipend. ***You must use a query date of 09/01/2022 for the FALL EPCF's 

2. FALL 2022 tuition and fees will be eBilled to all registered students in June with a payment due date of all tuition and fees by 7 pm, July 20th . 

3. . If a student has received confirmation that he/she will receive a Graduate assistantship or Fellowship that covers tuition in full or partially, then student needs to pay the university fees plus any remaining tuition balance due by the due date. 

4. Please  emphasize to your graduate student they are responsible for all university fees, and that they should pay the balance of fees by the close of business on the due date, Wednesday, July 20th . The student will be responsible for all late fees on and after July 20th   if fees are not paid. 

5. Should your student have any questions regarding their tuition bill, fees or tuition remission can contact the Customer Service Center at 718-990-2000 and an advisor will review the student's account.

For more information and to ask any questions, please contact:

Mary Cascio
Student Employment Manager
Office of Human Resources
Phone: 718-990-2331
Fax: 718-990-5887