Graduate Assistantships (GAs)

One critical role of The Office of the Dean of Students (DoS) at The University of Texas at Austin is to partner with graduate and undergraduate students in their educational journey. We provide excellent opportunities and an enriched environment for the development of knowledge, skills, and experiences that contribute to academic and life-long success. DoS staff members actively identify and help to eliminate institutional and other factors that threaten student progress. To accomplish these goals, staff members provide variations of one-on-one counseling, educational and developmental workshops, internships, assistantships and leadership programs.

Several higher education and student affairs graduate assistantships are available in the Office of the Dean of Students that provide graduate students with professional opportunities working with students, faculty, and staff in a variety of roles.

The majority of graduate assistantships are filled by graduate students enrolled in the Department of Educational Administration in the College of Education. However, all UT Austin graduate students, who meet the required qualifications, are encouraged to apply.

2008-2009 Eligibility for the Office of the Dean of Students
Graduate Assistantships

Preferred Affiliation:
Preference is given to students in Master's and Doctorate programs in the Department of Educational Administration in the College of Education.

Required Qualifications:
Must be currently enrolled graduate student taking at least 9 hours each long semester.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A desire to work with all students
• Ability to utilize concepts of student development in program planning, counseling, and administrative duties
• Experience with both Macintosh and IBM computer hardware and software or the ability to learn applications quickly
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Proven organizational skills
• Other experience/skills as relevant to specific position responsibilities

Terms of Employment:

• Nine- or ten-month positions, with starting dates from mid-August or early-September continuing through May
• Half-time positions at salary of $1000 per month
• Hours to be scheduled between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday-Friday with some evening and prescheduled weekend hours

Benefits of Employment:

• Qualification for in-state tuition rates
• Comprehensive insurance benefits package
• Hands-on work in student personnel field, providing experience which will translate well in the graduate's search for full-time employment in a higher education setting
• Eligibility for "A" parking permit or parking garage permit, if available

Please send resume and letter of interest for the following positions to:
Cheryl D. Pyle - Administrative Services Officer I
UT Office of the Dean of Students
1 University Station, A5800 Austin, Texas 78712
Competitive candidates will be contacted for an interview.

Although resumes and letters of interest are received on a rolling basis, interested applicants should apply by Friday, March 21, 2008.

Positions in the Office of the Dean of Students

*Occasionally, positions for the 2008-2009 academic year are filled by returning graduate students. Notifications are sent to inform relevant applicants.

Provides central administration and oversight for the Office of the Dean of Students and serves as the central clearinghouse for inquiries from students, faculty, family members, staff and alumni. Guided by the university's Institutional Rules, DoS Central implements measures of accountability to help ensure the health, safety, and well being of UT Austin students.

Graduate Assistant (2 positions available)

• Assist with special projects and administrative tasks for the Senior Associate Vice President for Student Affairs and Dean of Students and Senior Associate Dean of Students
• Conduct research on student services, leadership and training
• Develop strategies to promote services and resources
• Design measuring tools to conduct and evaluate programs and new initiatives
• Prepare internal and external reports and other written correspondence
• Participate in staff meetings, strategic planning sessions, and committees
• Provide resources and advice to students, parents, staff and other constituents
• Organize and plan events involving students and administration
• Additional administrative functions as needed

The focus of this assistantship is to provide the graduate student with generalist experience in student affairs.

Serve as liaisons between the area of Greek Life and Intercultural Education and the Interfraternity, Panhellenic, United Greek, Texas Asian Pan-Hellenic and National Pan-Hellenic Councils. Serve as consultants to these organizations and assist staff members in developing and implementing area programs.

Graduate Assistant

• Provide support to the Affiliate Organizations, Interfraternity, National Pan-Hellenic, Texas Asian Pan-Hellenic, United Greek, and University Panhellenic Councils
• Attend Greek Life and Intercultural Education meetings, activities and events when appropriate
• Coordinate Greek Life and Intercultural Education student organization funding program
• Organize all Greek Life and Intercultural Education student travel documentation
• Identify fundraising opportunities for Greek Life and Intercultural Education
• Assist with Greek Life and Intercultural Education program planning
• Assist with the coordination of the Greek Leadership course
• Coordinate Greek Spotlight
• Advise Order of Omega
• Other duties as assigned

Administers programs for undergraduate students during their first year on campus including pre-semester and summer orientation sessions, Start Fresh events at the beginning of the fall semester, and the ENCORE program for nontraditional students.

Graduate Assistant

• Recruit, select, train, and evaluate new and returning orientation advisors
• Assist with pre-semester orientations
• Assist with the facilitation of a three-credit orientation advisor class
• Co-edit NSS publications and materials
• Facilitate programs for family members of new students
• Facilitate various retreats and workshops for orientation advisors
• Assume office duties such as answering telephones and receiving guests
• More experienced graduate students may be asked to supervise committees or orientation advisor staff during the spring and summer months
• Other duties as assigned

SALD Student Organizations

Registers student organizations and provides facilities, information, leadership training, and other administrative services for student activities on campus. Supports and encourages involvement in campus life while broadening student impact in the UT Austin Community.

SALD - Student Program Safety

• Assist in the development of comprehensive and proactive program safety initiatives and formulating of policies and procedures
• Assist in proactively educating student organizations about program safety and travel issues through workshops and individual meetings
• Assist in developing a peer education program and advise the peer education team
• Assist in coordinating publications and publicity efforts related to risk management and travel for student organizations
• Conduct research and benchmarking related to risk management issues to assist SALD initiatives
• Assist in the coordination of the student organization travel policy
• Assist with daily office duties in Student Activities & Leadership Development, including monitoring protests & rallies and interpretation of Institutional Rules for student organizations
• Other duties as assigned

SALD - LEAP (Leadership Education And Progress)

• Advise Leadership, Education And Progress (LEAP), an emerging and mentoring leadership program for new undergraduate students
• Advise the Coordination and Mentor Teams comprised of upper-class student leaders
• Recruit, train, supervise, and evaluate LEAP participants, mentors, and coordination team members
• Create, plan, and execute the leadership curriculum
• Write grant proposals
• Assist with daily office duties in Student Activities & Leadership Development, including monitoring protests & rallies and interpretation of Institutional Rules for student organizations
• Other duties as assigned

Promotes academic integrity and other appropriate standards of conduct for students and the University community. Interprets University policies and implements the student discipline process, which includes investigating alleged student misconduct and resolving student disciplinary matters.

Graduate Assistant

• Assist with benchmarking research
• Work on assessment projects, both short and long term
• Assist with outreach and student education
• Maintain records and database
• Assist with general office duties as needed
• Assist with special projects and other duties as assigned
• Other potential duties may include:
  • Meet with students referred to SJS
  • Investigate alleged student misconduct and resolve student disciplinary matters
  • Refer students to other departments/programs for assistance and/or fulfillment of sanctions
  • Monitor compliance with penalty terms

Preference for this position given to students in Master's and PhD programs in the College of Education, Higher Education Administration, or in the School of Law. Additionally, preference is given to students with experience directly related to student discipline and/or working in a student conduct system.