Graduate Research Assistant (GRA): A part-time appointment requiring at least one academic degree at the baccalaureate level and awarded to individuals who are enrolled as full-time graduate students. Graduate Research Assistants are expected to assist faculty on research projects. The appointment is generally granted by the department supervising the research activity and is usually associated with a specific research project, grant, or contract. Appointments are made for up to a year with the possibility of renewals.
Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA): A part-time appointment requiring at least one academic degree at the baccalaureate level. It is awarded to individuals who are enrolled as full-time graduate students. Graduate Teaching Assistants are generally responsible for classroom or laboratory instruction under the supervision of faculty. Appointments are made for up to a year, usually by the department in which they are pursuing graduate work, with the possibility of renewals.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow: An appointment reserved for persons who have recently completed a doctoral degree and are engaged in research and/or teaching for a restricted period under the direction of a faculty mentor. Funding is usually from external sources. Initial appointments are for one to three years and renewable up to six years.
Visiting Scholar: A courtesy appointment granted to a person holding a terminal degree pursuing a research or study program using University facilities and who is sponsored by an academic unit of the University. Ordinarily no remuneration by the University is associated with this appointment. Visiting Scholars are not allowed to pursue consulting work using University resources or facilities. Appointments are made by the sponsoring academic unit and are generally for one year or less. Renewals will normally not be permitted.
Professional Staff: Professional staff who teach classes will be given faculty appointments at an appropriate level for the period that they are teaching.
Senate Policy 701.3
Revised:
11/10/2018 - Search engine optimization improved; no changes to actual page content
12/08/2016 - Annual Review: No changes made to content.
01/22/2015 - Annual Review: To reflect current practice, the email address for questions
is now policy@mtu.edu. No changes made to content.
05/07/14 - For consistency through out the Handbook, removed numbers in the last
sentence to Postdoctoral Research Fellow: "Initial appointments are for one (1) to
three (3) years and renewable up to six (6) years." now reads "Initial appointments
are for one to three years and renewable up to six years."
03/13/2014 - Annual Review: "Postdoctoral Associate" now reads "Postdoctoral Research
Fellow". Under Postdoctoral Research Fellow, deleted the last sentence that read:
"Appointments are initially for up to one year, but renewable, depending on funding,
for one-year periods for up to a maximum of three years." Added as the last sentence
to Postdoctoral Research Fellow: "Initial appointments are for one (1) to three (3)
years and renewable up to six (6) years."
02/06/2014 - Annual Review: Updated Michigan Tech and Handbook banners, no changes
made to content.
03/13/2013 - Annual Review: The definition of research faculty was moved to section
1.5.5 and "Senate proposal 4-95" now reads "Senate Policy 701.3"
07/13/2011 - Annual Review: To reflect current University titles and practice, MTU
is now Michigan Tech and the email address for questions is now hbwebmaster.
03/01/2007 - Format changes made.