Roles and Responsibilities

Undergraduate Graders (UGs)

Undergraduate graders (UGs) are responsible only for the grading of course assessments (e.g., quizzes, homework, exams) with objective grading criteria. UGs do not meet with students inside or outside of the classroom.

Requirements:

  • UGs will be provided with defined objective grading criteria (e.g., rubrics, answer keys) to make the grading process unbiased. Students will meet with graduate TA or instructor regarding their graded assignments.
  • UGs will have an assigned faculty member/instructor or graduate TA supervisor, and will meet regularly (e.g., weekly, biweekly).
  • UGs are required to complete centralized HR trainings, such as FERPA and Ethics and Responsibilities, and departmental/course training (if applicable).
  • UGs will receive monetary compensation for their role and will be assigned a job code.

Undergraduate Teaching Assistants (UTAs)

Undergraduate Teaching Assistants (UTAs) are responsible for any of the following: in-class facilitation, assistance with curriculum development, out-of-class student interactions (e.g., drop-in hours, tutorial sessions), and/or grading course assessments.

Requirements:

  • UTAs with grading responsibilities will be provided with defined objective grading criteria (e.g., rubrics, answer keys) to make the grading process unbiased. Students will meet with graduate TA or instructor regarding their graded assignments.
  • UTAs will have an assigned faculty member/instructor or graduate TA supervisor, and will meet regularly (e.g., weekly, biweekly).
  • UTAs are required to complete centralized HR trainings, such as FERPA and Ethics and Responsibilities, Professionalism in the Classroom (for those with in-class responsibilities), and departmental/course training (if applicable).
  • UTAs will receive either course credit or monetary compensation for their role. UTAs who receive monetary compensation will be assigned a job code.

Best Practices and Recommendations for UGs and UTAs

The following guidance should be used by colleges and departments considering the use of UGs or UTAs. 

  • Create policy about when department will and will not use UGs and UTAs (e.g., TA positions will first be filled by graduate students within department. If positions are not filled, UTAs will be used).
  • Create criteria for the UG and UTA roles in their department. Criteria can include:
    • Student is enrolled as an undergraduate student in the term they are in the UG/UTA role.
    • Student has successfully completed the course or coursework that demonstrates understanding of the course material.
  • Consult with HR representatives on recommended pay scale for roles.
  • For UG/UTA roles receiving course credit, determine number of hours expected to work and number of credit hours for the role. Use university registrar guidelines to determine contact hours conversion.
  • Develop a conflict-of-interest policy for students in UG and UTA roles. Policy covers personal relationships (e.g., romantic, roommate) with students in the course. UGs and UTAs can disclose personal relationship and not grade their work.
  • Determine policy for complaints from the UG/UTA perspective and outline steps for students to take if they have concerns.
  • Create internal toolkit at department and/or collegiate level that encompasses the best practice recommendations.

Department Specific Examples

If you'd like guidance for how to communicate your department's policies on the use of UGs and UTAs, check out this example from the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Student Peer Support Roles

UG and UTA roles are different than other established peer support roles at Iowa, such as Supplemental Instruction (SI) Leaders. Learn more about the difference between those roles and expectations.

Student Peer Support