Resources for Graduate and Teaching Assistants

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/TA appointment and review the instructions on the HR website under section titled "For Students: New Hire Package”.

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

Review the information instructions from Human Resources below. Note that you are not permitted to begin your GA or TA work duties until you have accepted the offer, submitted all required documentation in UWinsite People, and received the HR authorization to work email titled “Authorization to commence GA/TA duties".

• With the launch of UWinsite People, the University's Human Resources and Payroll System implemented in early January 2025, new hire processes have been updated.
• Required documents must be submitted through UWinsite People. Please do not email hrstudent@uwindsor.ca your hiring package contents.
• You will be receiving emails from the HRIS system to your UWindsor email with required tasks to complete.  Complete the tasks as soon as possible as to not delay processing time.
• New students cannot be issued employee IDs without completion of the required journeys within the system.
• It should be noted that the University of Windsor requires personal devices to meet Conditional Access security standards. If a personal device is not compliant and/or enrolled in device administration, employees will not have access to UWinsite People. Learn how to register your device.
• Please note that before you begin work as a GA/TA, you must complete the new hire journey if this is your first employment contract, or it has been over a year since your last employment contract with the University. If you are a first-time employee, or a former employee who has not worked at the University in over a year, you need to provide an update to expired/expiring SIN or work/study permit documents, and complete the mandatory training. The mandatory training must be completed within the first two weeks of your contract.  
• Once your appointment is approved by Graduate Studies and is then processed by Human Resources, you will receive an offer of employment with your start date. 
• After you 'accept' the offer, you will receive email confirmation from Human Resources. 
• If HR determines employment documentation is missing, you will be required to submit the missing information to HR. Students are not eligible to work until all required documentation has been received and approved by HR.
• If HR determines no employment documentation is missing, you will receive email confirmation of the approval of your GA/TA appointment from Human Resources.
• Students are not permitted to begin their GA/TA work duties until they have accepted the offer, submitted all required documentation in UWinsite People, and received the HR authorization to work email.

Students who have questions about their employment contract or HR processes can book an in-person or virtual appointment with Human Resources here:

https://outlook.office365.com/owa/calendar/HumanResourcesBookings@uwindsor.ca/bookings/

 

The 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". 

As a GA or TA you will reporting to your GA/TA employment supervisor. Normally, the GA/TA employment supervisor is the faculty member who is the instructor of the course you have been assigned to as a GA or TA. Assigned duties are in accordance with article 14:03 of the CUPE4580 GA/TA Collective agreement.

Throughout the duration of their appointment, assistants are expected to make themselves available to report for all assigned duties, 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.

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 11:05 of the CUPE4580 GA/TA Collective agreement. 

A document titled "Form 1 - Description of duties and allocation of hours" must be completed by the assistant and the course instructor who is supervising the GA or TA employment.

​Note the following:

• The GA/TA supervising instructor and the Assistant must make arrangements to meet and discuss the duties in detail. The meeting must be held no later than 10 working days after the commencement of the GA/TA employment (article 14:04 of the CUPE4580 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 assistant and their GA/TA supervising instructor.
• 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 14:06 of the CUPE4580 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 training purposes assistants may refer to the teaching supports for GAs and TAs as well as resources for Brightspace, the University's Learning Management System.

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: http://www.uwindsor.ca/ctl/388/gata. 

The GATA network team holds GATAcademy every Fall, with interactive workshops for both new and experienced GAs and TAs. For more information on this and other events coordinated by the GATA Network, please visit: http://www.uwindsor.ca/ctl/388/gata. 

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.

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.

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 cashier's payment options webpage under "Other payment options".

• Review Teaching and other supports for GAs and TAs
• 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: http://www.uwindsor.ca/ctl/388/gata.
• Faculty of Graduate Studies services and contact information
• CUPE 4580 Collective Agreement
• CUPE local 4580 
• GA/TA Network
• 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, Equity and Accessibility
• Health and Safety
• Sexual Misconduct Response & Prevention Office
• Graduate Student Society
• International Student Centre
• Student Support Services
• Student Success Centre