Graduate Assistants and Undergraduate Research and Teaching Assistants

August, 2012

To: Chancellors, Senior Vice Presidents, Vice Presidents, Vice Provosts, and Twin Cities Campus Deans

From: Karen Hanson, Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost; Robert J. Jones, Senior Vice President for Academic Administration, University of Minnesota System; Kathryn F. Brown, Vice President for Human Resources

Subject: FY’13 salary adjustment guidelines for graduate assistants and other 95xx series employees

This memo is an addendum to the FY’13 Compensation Plan for Faculty, P&A, and Civil Service. This communication outlines the details for implementing pay increases for 95xx graduate assistant positions as well as undergraduate research and teaching assistants. Compensation plan guidelines for these positions were put on hold until the outcome of the representation election was determined.

This memorandum applies to:

• Graduate assistants and others in the 95xx series
• Undergraduate research and teaching assistants (9512, 9513, 9522, 9523)

Graduate assistants and others in the 95xx series

• As with other employees, the pool for graduate assistants and other 95xx job codes is 2.5%. 
• Units will determine eligibility for a merit increase based on the amount of time in position and the continuing nature of the assignment. 
• The amount of the pay increase should be determined primarily by performance. Other criteria such as market competitiveness and internal equity may also be considered.
• Salary ranges for graduate assistants and others in the 95xx job codes will remain at the levels established in FY’12. A thorough review of these ranges will be completed this fiscal year by the Office of Human Resources to ensure market competitiveness and internal equity within the University.

Undergraduate research and teaching assistants

• Units may choose to offer a pay increase to undergraduate research and teaching assistants
• The suggested hourly rates for undergraduate research and teaching assistants will remain at the levels established in FY’12. A thorough review of these rates will be completed this fiscal year by the Office of Human Resources to ensure market competitiveness and internal equity within the University.

Additional information to help guide pay decisions may be found on the web: 

FY’13 Compensation Plan for Faculty, P&A and Civil Service 

2012-13 Academic Salary Floors