Voluntary Resignation
GAs are required to tender a letter of resignation if they are leaving their position before the end of their appointment contract (e.g., degree completion, withdrawing from the university, changing from salary to wages or changing status from student employment to faculty or staff). A GA will submit the letter to the appropriate departmental representative for completion of a termination report. Please note that when GAs leave an appointment(s) early, the GA generally will owe charges due to withdrawal of benefits. It is strongly advised that the department and/or the GA contact the Graduate College at gahelp@grad.arizona.edu to determine what affect the end of the appointment will have.
Involuntary Terminations
Involuntary Termination Policy for Graduate Assistants (GAs)
Graduate Assistants (GAs) may be terminated before the scheduled end of their appointment due to poor performance, which may result in the loss of benefits and charges to accounts.
To ensure transparency and fairness:
- Expectations and Notification: GAs are expected to meet the performance standards and responsibilities outlined in their offer letter. Supervisors must notify GAs immediately when their work does not meet these expectations.
- Performance Improvement Process: Supervisors should outline specific concerns, provide clear expectations for improvement, and, when possible, offer support or resources to help the GA meet performance standards.
- Termination Timing: Termination of a GA mid-semester should be considered a last resort. Programs, in coordination with the Graduate College, should make every effort to keep the student whole through the end of the semester, ensuring minimal disruption to the GA’s academic progress and financial stability.
- Final Decision: If the GA’s performance does not improve within a reasonable timeframe, the supervisor may initiate termination in alignment with institutional policies.