APPLICABILITY: ACADEMIC DEPARTMENTS

1. Prior to the beginning of the fall semester each school/college will conduct an orientation for all TF/TAs. The school/college may elect to hold this orientation at the department or unit level. All teaching fellows and teaching assistants, including those with prior teaching experience, shall be required to attend these orientation sessions at the beginning of the year. This requirement shall be stated in the letter of appointment.

2. Each academic unit utilizing teaching fellows and teaching assistants shall identify one or more faculty (TF/TA coordinator) who will have the responsibility for supervising TF/TAs.

3. The TF/TA coordinator shall work with the faculty and administration within academic units to formulate an orientation session and a systematic plan for supervision and evaluation of TF/TAs within the unit.

4. Evaluation of TF/TAs is a departmental responsibility, shall be systematically implemented each semester, and should include scheduled conferences. Data should be collected and analyzed and shall be provided to the TF/TA coordinator, department chair/unit director, and to the Dean.

5. The TF/TAs shall be advised of the evaluation process during the academic unit's orientation session.

6. Criteria for the evaluation of TF/TAs shall be filed with the appropriate school/college, and shall be periodically reviewed.

7. The Intensive English Language Institute will continue to offer the International TA/TF (ITA) Program. This program includes screening in speaking skills and presentation skills, the lecture course on teaching effectiveness, the workshop course on improving presentation skills, and the workshop course on pronunciation improvement. The core of the program consists of the presentation and pronunciation workshops, which are free, noncredit bearing courses offered each long semester for nonnative English speaking students who seek teaching assistantships or fellowships. All nonnative English speaking students must be certified or conditionally certified before they may be assigned teaching responsibilities. Lab assistants, lab monitors, and tutors must receive the minimum required score before beginning their duties. The final evaluation panel for each student consists of representatives from his/her department, IELI and ITA program staff. Decisions regarding assignment of teaching responsibilities are made by the departments; the certification of language and communication competence through the ITA program is provided as a service to the university, the departments and the students.

8. Each academic unit shall provide regular in-service training for TF/TAs with scheduled meetings each semester.