Temporary Appointment (Updated Nov. 2024)

Temporary Appointment (Updated April 2025)
Use this form to request Readers, UMass Graduate Student Teaching Associates and Assistants, and UMass Research Assistants.
Type of Request:*

Reader (including UMass Graduate Student Reader)UMass Graduate Student Teaching Associate or AssistantUMass Graduate Student Research Assistant
Reader/Grader
Please read the information below before completing the form to understand the guidelines for readers and the basis on which requests are evaluated.

Current practices regarding readers in courses (see Appendix B, Faculty Code) are as follows:

A faculty member may request a reader if either (a) the number of students in a single course is 50 or greater, in which case a reader may be assigned for that course; or (b) the faculty member's total student enrollment in all courses for the semester is 100 or more, in which case a reader may be assigned to the largest course. Readers are not generally granted for team-taught courses.

A reader is expected to assist with the grading of three large items (e.g., midterm, final examination, and paper) or the equivalent for each student in the course and normally must attend the lectures in the course.

A reader cannot be an undergraduate at a Five College institution or a member of the faculty member's immediate family. If the proposed reader is an employee of Smith College, there may be limits to the number of hours the individual is authorized to work each week as a Reader. Particularly if the proposed reader is employed full-time, the authorization to work as a reader may not be possible.

Starting January 2025, Readers (excluding UMass graduate students) will be paid Readers/Graders should be appointed for a period of 13 weeks. We expect that a course with 50 students would require 3 hrs/week and a course with 100 students would require 5 hrs/week. This should scale linearly. The pay rate should be set to an amount equal to a UMass TA, Spring rates $36.67/hour. Please note that payroll for readers will be processed after final enrollment figures are verified. These rates are for 4-credit courses and will be prorated for courses with fewer than four credits. UMass graduate students are paid the minimum hourly rate set by the University.

Contact Rachel Siegel (rsiegel@smith.edu) in the Office of the Provost/Dean of the Faculty for more information. For UMass graduate student readers, contact Rachel Siegel (rsiegel@smith.edu).
Name of Reader:*

First NameLast Name
E-mail of Reader:*
example@example.com
Address of Reader:*

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Term of Appointment (select one):*

Summer 2025Fall 2025Interterm 2026Spring 2026Fall 2026Interterm 2027Spring 2026
Is this a new or renewed appointment?*

NewRenewed
Is this a UMass graduate student?*

YesNo
Name of Faculty Member:*

First NameLast Name
Email of Faculty Member:*
example@smith.edu
Department:*
Course Department and Number:*
e.g., ENG 112
Estimated expected enrollment:*
Enrollment figures will be verified with the Registrar after the add/drop period.
Number of Hours per Week (Normally 5 hours; maximum is 8 hours if providing additional assistance. Please discuss with the associate provost.) :*
Each semester is 19 weeks per UMass agreement.
UMass Graduate Student Teaching Associate or Assistant
Please complete and submit this form to request a UMass graduate student teaching associate (TO) to teach a course or a teaching assistant (TA).

The Associate Provost meets with Chairs during the fall semester in order to review and approve staffing needs for the following academic year.

Once a course or position is approved by the Associate Provost, it is also required that a Temporary Appointment Form is completed by the Chair in order to appoint a specific individual to the college.
Department:*
Your Name (Chair completing the form):*

First NameLast Name
Chair Email:*
example@smith.edu
Name of Proposed Hire:*

First NameLast Name
E-mail of Proposed Hire:*
Term of Appointment (select one):*

Summer 2025Fall 2025Interterm 2026Spring 2026Fall 2026Interterm 2027Spring 2026
Course Number:*
Course Title:*
Duties/responsibilities:*
Number of Hours per Week (Normally 10 hours for TO teaching one course; 10 hours for TA assisting with one section) :*
Each semester is 19 weeks per UMass agreement.
Smith Funding Source if Not Funded by the Provost's Office: Grant, Gift, or Smith Designated:*
Upload CV*

Upload a File

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UMass Graduate Student Research Assistant
Please complete and submit this form to request a UMass Graduate Student Research Assistant appointment.

UMass graduate students are under a Graduate Employee Organization (GEO) contract. Salary/wage increases may be mandated by GEO contract during the appointment period. These increases (often established retroactively) and any other costs associated are the responsibility of the named supervisor.
Name of Supervisor (at Smith College):*

First NameLast Name
Email of Supervisor:*
example@example.com
Name of Proposed Hire:*

First NameLast Name
E-mail of Proposed Hire:*
Graduate Student's Home Department:*
Department at Smith College:*
Term of Appointment (select one):*

Summer 2025Fall 2025Interterm 2026Spring 2026Fall 2026Interterm 2027Spring 20262025-2026 Academic Year
Hours per Week:*
A full-time RA is 20 hours/week, per UMass.
Hourly Wage (Leave blank if requesting minimum rate set by UMass; complete if requesting above the minimum rate.):
Smith Funding Source: Grant, Gift, or Smith Designated:*
Brief Job Description:*
Note: UMass graduate students new to Smith College are required to complete a Smith College Affiliate Form. Appointment arrangements are made through the UMass Graduate Assistantship Office. Questions regarding the university's terms, conditions, and benefits should be addressed to gradappt@grad.umass.edu.
Form Submission

Note: When you click the "Submit" button below, your request is sent to the Office of the Provost/Dean of the Faculty. A copy will simultaneously be sent to you by email. IF YOU DO NOT RECEIVE YOUR EMAIL COPY, check your spam filter to ensure that it did not land there.
Should be Empty:

Temporary Appointment (Updated April 2025)

Reader/Grader

UMass Graduate Student Teaching Associate or Assistant

UMass Graduate Student Research Assistant

Form Submission