SAMPLE TA/GA OFFER LETTER FOR NEW STUDENTS
* This letter must be used in its entirety (except where noted as optional), as it meets applicable
regulations. Departments may wish to add program-specific information.
[If International, must include at top of page: EIN: 14-601-3200]
[Date]
B00000000
Name
Address
City, State ZIP
Dear xxx,
Congratulations on your admission to Binghamton University. The department of [_____] is pleased to
offer you a [Graduate or Teaching] Assistantship for the 2016-17 academic year [or semester]! You have
been carefully chosen for this competitive position based on your high academic merit and individual
strengths. This assistantship includes a stipend in the amount of $[_BOLD_], as well as a tuition
scholarship for the academic year [or semester].
Up to $[_BOLD_] of your [in-state or out-of-state] tuition costs for eligible graduate courses will be
covered by the tuition scholarship. Tuition scholarships do not cover mandatory student fees, which you
will be responsible for paying prior to the beginning of each semester. To learn more about the
conditions governing these awards, please read the enclosed “Terms and Conditions” documents.
Your assistantship position implies that you will perform some research, teaching, or administrative
service for the University. Graduate student employees on a full/half assistantship are generally expected
to provide 20/10 hours of service per week. Employees in this bargaining unit are engaged in professional
activities of such a nature that the output produced or the result accomplished often cannot be precisely
measured in relation to a given period of time. It is therefore anticipated that there will be fluctuations
above and below these general expectations.
GA/TAs are expected to divide their time between their assistantship duties and the pursuit of a graduate
degree. Any additional work assignment by any full-time (20 hour) GA/TA is generally prohibited and
would require exceptional circumstances and explicit approval from the Graduate School prior to the
commencement of performing any duties. You may review the Student Employment Policies here:
http://www.binghamton.edu/operations/policies/personnel-and-payroll/student-employment.html
Specific information regarding the duties of your assignment will be provided by the graduate program
director of your department or hiring unit. For the purposes of collective negotiations, this assistantship
position is represented by the Graduate Student Employees Union (GSEU)/Communications Workers of
America, Local 1104 and is eligible for health insurance benefits and reduced parking rates.
Classes begin on August 25, 2016. Your assistantship appointment is expected to extend from August
23, 2016 through May 19, 2017 [or semester dates]. If you accept this assistantship offer, you will be
expected to attend orientation activities the week prior to the start of classes (details announced in early
summer via email and at www.binghamton.edu/grad-school/orientation )
Payroll information: Provided you have completed all paperwork including the federally required I-9 on
time, the following is the payroll schedule and when you may expect a check. (Please note, the state runs
on a two week lag payroll).
Academic Year appointments start: 8/23/16-05/19/17 which is 19.4 pay periods. This means your first
check will be issued on 9/7/16 for 2 days’ pay.
Revised February 3, 2016
Fall only appointments run: 8/23/16 to 12/28/16 which is 9.2 pay periods. First check will be issued on
9/7/16 for 2 days’ pay.
Spring only appointments run: 1/17/17 to 5/19/17 which is 8.9 pay periods. First check will be issued on
2/8/17 for 5 days’ pay
[If domestic, insert: Comprehensive health insurance benefits are available to you, however they are not
automatic. If you wish to participate, you must enroll with the Employee Benefits Office within your first
45 days of employment. For details about benefits (including health insurance plan and enrollment
forms), please go to the Graduate and Teaching Assistant (GA/TA) section of the Office of Human
Resources website at http://www2.binghamton.edu/human-resources/new-employees/new-gata.html.]
[If international, insert:] International students in F-1 or J-1 status are required to be covered by health
insurance. Health insurance enrollment in the GSEU plan is mandatory for all students. An enrollment
form must be completed and returned to the Human Resources Office. For details about benefits
(including the health insurance plan and enrollment forms), please go to the Graduate and Teaching
Assistant (GA/TA) section of the Office of Human Resources website at
http://www.binghamton.edu/human-resources/employee-benefits/gseu.html
We hope that you will accept this offer of an assistantship and a tuition scholarship. If you choose to
accept, please sign and return one copy of each the following forms to: [Department Name and
Address]. You may wish to make extra copies for your own records. If you choose to decline this offer,
please notify [Dept. Secretary] as soon as possible at [e-mail address; 607-777-xxxx]
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Terms and Conditions for Employment
Terms and Conditions for Acceptance of a Tuition Scholarship
Student Information Form
Confidentiality Statement
[Optional: We greatly appreciate your response regarding this offer by xx xx, 2016, as your early
response will be helpful to us in planning for the coming year.] We will consider this offer valid until April
15, 2016, unless you decline before that date. If your reply is not received by April 15, 2016, this offer
may be rescinded. This offer is made in compliance with the Council of Graduate School’s Resolution
Regarding Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees and Assistants
http://www.cgsnet.org/portals/0/pdf/CGS_Resolution.pdf.
[If international, insert: Please save this letter as you will need it in order to apply for a U.S. Social
Security Number.] If you have any questions concerning this offer, please contact me at [607-777-xxxx]. I
look forward to welcoming you to our graduate program.
Sincerely,
[Director of Graduate Department]
File
Enclosures
cc:
The Graduate School
Human Resources
[if international insert: Office of International Student and Scholar Services]
Revised February 3, 2016