CMS Research Assistantship Expectations
2014-2015 Academic Year
Congratulations on being awarded a Comparative Media Studies Research Assistant (RA) position. RA positions offer a host of benefits: opportunities to extend your CMS education, to hone skill sets, and to cultivate real-world networks of media practitioners, artists, activists, educators and scholars. In addition, your tuition expenses will be covered and you will be paid a stipend for living expenses.
RA assignments are based on several objective factors including funding availability, project needs, and student skills. Student interests and preferences are also considered; however, changes in RA assignment are strongly discouraged and cannot be made without the approval of the research directors and the Director of Graduate Studies.
Balancing a research position with coursework and demands outside of CMS can be challenging. This document outlines yourresponsibilities and rights as a research assistant, acknowledging your concurrent academic obligations.
CMS RAs are required to:
· Submit a signed RA Workplan (attached) by the third week of classes.
· Work an average of 20 hours per week in their assigned lab.
The CMS academic curriculum requires a minimum of three 12-unit courses per term plus Colloquium (3 units) for a total of 39 units. This academic load represents approximately 20 contact hours on campus (not including homework), and a full-time research assistantship requires an additional 20 hours in the assigned lab. In other words, a CMS graduate student research assistant will spend at least 40 hours per week on campus.
We acknowledge that RAs may not work 20 hours every week in their assigned labs, but the total number of hours worked is expected to average 20 hours per week across the semester.
· Complete assigned projects and tasks in a timely and professional manner. Balancing the research workload against the hours allotted is part of the challenge of a research assistantship. If his or her workload runs, or is expected to run, significantly over the time allotted, an RA must speak with his or her Research Director to address the situation. It can be particularly difficult to manage the total workload during March, April, and early May of the second year, when the thesis writing, presentation, and submission take place. It is important that you coordinate in advance with your research director in order to manage your obligations to the project during this period.
· Attend meetings, symposia, and other project-related functions
as requested by your Research Director.
· Participate in periodic performance reviews.
The RA Work Plan – through which RAs and research directors agree upon and document specific tasks and expectations – will guide your work throughout the semester and provide the criteria for your review. Results of the review will determine your eligibility for future RA funding in CMS or other departments, and inconsistent or poor performance can result in withdrawal of tuition and stipend support. We encourage RAs to discuss their experience frankly with their research directors during the review process. At the end of each semester, RAs are also asked to complete a confidential evaluation of their research assignments, which will be reviewed by the CMS Director of Graduate Studies.
· Begin work during the first week of classes and continue through May 31st of the following calendar year.
RAs are not required to work during term breaks, but they are required to work throughout the Independent Activities Period (IAP). Winter break extends from the last day of exams in December to the beginning of IAP in January; spring break typically is the last week in March. Research managers may make exceptions to these work requirements for thesis-related travel.
Depending on the project, students may be required to work in their assigned labs over the summer for extra pay. Students considering other summer work opportunities should discuss their plans with their research directors before the end of January. Once a commitment is made to work on a project during the summer months, students are expected to fulfill the obligation.
Failure to fulfill these responsibilities will jeopardize your standing as a research assistant and may result in a withdrawal of support.
CMS RAs have the right to:
· Negotiate project tasks and completion dates with their research directors, as project deadlines permit.
· Engage in work that is appropriate to their interests, skills, and academic coursework, as project needs permit.
· Receive and request training to improve skills necessary for project work.
· Request a transfer to a different lab at the end of a semester.
Although the administration will consider all change requests, a transfer may not be possible. Also be advised that the administration may transfer an RA may be transferred to a different lab to ensure the best possible match between student interests and project requirements.
Any grievance associated with your RA assignment should first be addressed with your research director, then with your faculty mentor and/or program directors and administrators. Students are encouraged to engage their faculty mentor as an advocate as well as a source of advice, support, and mediation.
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