Undergraduate Course Assistant Program

Obligations and Expectations

UCAs are student leaders, educators, and university representatives. By being a part of the learning process of your peers, the position does come with unique obligations and expectations.

What are the administrative obligations of an Undergraduate Course Assistant?

Undergraduate Course Assistant administrative obligations consist of the following:

  • Attend mandatory orientation.
  • Attend mandatory training sessions and workshops throughout the semester.
  • Maintain academic integrity both within and outside your role as a UCA.
  • Maintain FERPA certification (annually) and uphold FERPA standards.
  • Provide feedback through monthly check-in forms.
  • Take the 1-credit course CICS 298A: Communicating Across Expertise before or while being a UCA.
  • Communicate with the UCA Program Coordinators and/or the Director of Inclusive Education and Teaching Support if any problems arise.

What are the course obligations and duties of an Undergraduate Course Assistant?

Individual course duties and obligations will be assigned by the instructor. Duties may include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Attend lectures to help with in-class activities and be aware of course content.
  • Grade and provide constructive feedback on class assignments (including exams) in a timely manner.
  • Lead lab sessions.
  • Lead small group discussions.
  • Respond to student questions (in-person, email, boards, etc.).
  • Proctor exams.

What are the expectations of an Undergraduate Course Assistant?

The UCA Leadership Team, Instructors, and TAs expect UCAs to:

  • Maintain regular communication with your assigned professor and TA regarding course logistics, grading, and/or any duties assigned.
  • Be fair, consistent, and objective in your grading of student work.
  • Report suspected academic honesty policy violations to the course instructor immediately.
  • Fulfill your duties in a timely manner.
  • Bring up any problems immediately to your instructor, the Director of Inclusive Education and Teaching Support, or the UCA Coordinators.
  • Be respectful and professional in all interactions with instructors, TAs, other UCAs, and the students in the class.
  • Comply with all College and University employment policies, including hiring procedures.
  • Work an average of 5 hours per week for a total of 70 hours each semester. Hours per week may vary slightly based on your workload.