7 Graduate Assistantships

VII Graduate Assistantships

Overview

Assistantships benefit both the student and the CSoM:

  • They provide professional experience for the student.
  • They provide staffing support for the CSoM.

Graduate assistants (GAs) should expect a wide range of duties. Success in a graduate’s first college-level position is often dependent on their training and experience as a graduate assistant.

  • Assistantships are assigned for the academic year, but may be modified or withdrawn at the discretion of the CSoM.
  • Poor performance or inappropriate conduct (see Introduction section) may result in reassignment, reduction, or rescinding of the assistantship.
  • Assistantships are not guaranteed for the entire residency, though the School of Music endeavors to fund:
    • 2 years for master’s students
    • 2 years (sometimes 3 years) for doctoral students

Assistantship duties and hours are based on:

  • Student strengths and development areas
  • Class load and schedule
  • Needs of the CSoM

⚠️ GAs should not expect duties to follow a predictable week-to-week pattern. Faculty work cycles may require little work for a time, then intensive effort. Students are expected to stay ahead in coursework and applied studies to manage these fluctuations.

Assistantship Categories

Box Office

  • Duties may include working in the ticket booth, stage crew, or tech staff.
  • Training and sign-ups occur throughout each semester.
  • Assignments vary; not a regular weekly schedule.
  • GAs report to the box office manager or production facilities manager.

Assisting a Primary Teacher (course, lessons, or ensemble)

  • Duties may include: grading, lecturing, Blackboard setup, mentoring students, conducting.
  • GAs in supervisory roles must uphold standards of professionalism in behavior, appearance, dress, and manner.
  • GAs are not peers when teaching or supervising.

Primary Teacher (course, lessons, or ensemble)

  • Some GAs are assigned as primary teacher of record.
  • Responsibilities include instruction, conducting, and clerical duties.
  • All NDSU courses must be implemented in Blackboard.
  • GAs meet regularly with their advisor or supervising faculty.

Library Duties

  • Filing and ordering music.
  • Organizing ensemble libraries (instrumental, jazz, choral).

Assisting a Faculty Member

  • Duties may include clerical work, assisting with conventions/festivals, or helping during studio hours.
  • Instructions are given directly by the faculty member.

Vocal and Instrumental Accompanying

  • Vocal accompaniment: assigned at semester start in consultation with Dr. Wottrich and voice faculty.
  • Instrumental accompaniment: assigned about 1–2 months into semester as request forms are received.
  • Both report to Dr. Wottrich.
  • Collaborative GAs must be professional and adequately prepared for rehearsals.

Assistantship Calendar

  • Standard dates: August 15 – May 15.
  • Some extend beyond (e.g., sports bands).
  • Assistants must be available during all specified periods.

Loads and Stipends

Assistantships are often referred to as:

  • Half-time (20 hrs/week)
  • Quarter-time (10 hrs/week)
  • Other proportions are possible.

Assignments are calculated using CSoM guidelines:

  • Classroom teaching: 2.67:1 (e.g., 3-contact hour class = 8 units, allocated among faculty/graders).
  • Accompanying: As assigned by Dr. Wottrich and the relevant area.
  • Applied teaching: 3:2 (45 min assistantship credit per 30 min lesson).
  • Assisting classes/ensembles: Variable; determined by advisor and graduate coordinator.
  • Box office/clerical/assisting faculty: 1:1 (1 hr credit per 1 hr work).

Tuition and Fees

  • GAs automatically receive full tuition waivers.
  • Students are responsible for all fees, including:
    • University fees
    • Graduate School fees
    • CSoM fees (including applied lesson fee of $275/semester per registration)

Work Philosophy and Outside Employment

  • Primary focus: academic progress and assistantship duties.
  • D.M.A. students with an 18-hour assistantship should not exceed 20 hrs/week total work (assistantship + outside employment).
  • Outside work must be professional in nature (adjunct teaching, church choir director, private studio teaching, etc.).
  • Overcommitment compromises both academic and assistantship duties.
  • Students with smaller assistantships are encouraged to devote even more time to studies.

Amenities and Office Procedures

Office Space

  • Workspace allocated if available, with access to a computer.

Computers

  • CSoM typically furnishes a computer with internet and printing access.
  • Students may use personal computers, but:
    • No insurance coverage for personal equipment.
    • University cannot install site-licensed software on personal machines.

Printing and Copying

  • Printing/copying supported for assigned teaching and duties only.
  • Request a copy code from office staff.
  • For high-volume jobs (>20 pages), use campus duplicating services.
  • Personal printing/copying: reimburse office at $0.20/page (11x17 = $0.25/page).
  • Unreimbursed copies may result in charges.

Legal Issues

  • Copyright laws strictly enforced.
  • Copying music under copyright to avoid purchase is illegal.

Telephone

  • Local calls: dial 9 + seven-digit number.
  • Long-distance: only for faculty/department business, handled through advisor.