Evaluation is a crucial part of the Graduate Assistantship experience. It should be a supportive, constructive, and on-going process that helps identify strengths as well as weaknesses and develops a plan for improvement. All GAs must receive a formal performance appraisal, based on their job description, by their supervisor each semester as follows:
- An informal performance appraisal conducted 3 weeks after the student’s start date (optional).
- A formal performance appraisal, using the GA Performance Appraisal form, conducted at the end of the semester.
- At any point during the semester, additional performance appraisals may be conducted at the request of the GA or their supervisor.
Following the review, the performance appraisal form will be signed by the GA, Supervisor, and Graduate Program Coordinator or Department Head. Both the student and the supervisor share responsibility for ensuring that the evaluation process is carried out.
The performance evaluation should be kept in the GA’s personnel file in the department for at least 3 years once the student is no longer a GA in the department. Any evaluations that are not satisfactory or with discipline issues, and all related documentation, need to be sent to Human Resources and reported to the GC immediately.
Performance that does not meet expectations may impact the renewal of the GA and, in certain circumstances, it may lead to the cancellation of accepted GA offers.