Parental Leave for Graduate Assistants/Associates
In recognition of the demands on parents of newborns* or newly adopted* children, continuing Graduate Assistants/Associates anticipating the arrival of a new baby or child may apply for a paid Graduate College Parental Leave for up to six weeks of new parenthood. The applicant must attest that he or she will be the primary caregiver for a newborn or a newly adopted child. If both parents are graduate assistants/associates, only one leave will be available per family, which may be allocated between the parents, but not to exceed 6 weeks total leave. Please note that hiring units may impose restrictions during which 6-week period works best to accommodate the hiring unit's general course of business.
Eligibility:
1. Previously hired as a GA for at least one semester (this program is not available to those who are hired as a GA for the first semester of matriculation).
2. Attest to being the primary caregiver for the newborn or newly adopted child.
3. If requesting summer coverage, the GA must have been hired as a GA for the previous spring term.
The Parental Leave will provide for continued assistantship/associateship wages and relief from regular duties for not more than six weeks. This will include the continuation of GA benefits. Students will continue to enroll in graduate courses to maintain their status as active graduate students, registering for classes that allow more flexibility in scheduling such as independent study courses. Those supported by research assistantships/associateships funded by external sources, such as grant funding, must adhere to the rules of the granting agency in regard to leaves from work. If the granting agency defers to university policy regarding paid parental leave, the six-week leave will be paid by the grant. If the granting agency requires suspension of payment during the leave period, the student will be eligible for substitute payment from this program.
Students should apply by using the Graduate College Parental Leave Request Form which can be found at https://grad.arizona.edu/gcforms/financial-resources-forms. This form should be turned into Rachel Nielsen, Manager for Business and Finance within the Graduate College.
For further information, please contact Assistant Dean Dorian Voorhees (voorhees@grad.arizona.edu). The program will be monitored by the Graduate College. Funds are limited, so Graduate Assistants/Associates should apply as early as possible, but at least 30 days prior to the beginning of the leave, if possible. Funded Parental Leave will be awarded on a first-come basis as long as funds are available. Graduate Assistants/Associates are limited to one paid parental leave per family during their graduate career, even if they are in more than one degree program.
*generally a 'new born' or 'newly adopted' is the first 3 months of the newly formed relationship; extenuating circumstances could redefine the 3 month definition