Graduate Assistantships Policy

SUNY Plattsburgh offers a limited number of graduate assistantships to qualified graduate students. Graduate assistantships provide supervised educational and professional experience while supporting university academic, administrative, and student success missions. Availability, duties, qualifications, funding, and benefits vary by position and available resources. This policy applies only to Graduate Assistants appointed under SUNY Graduate Assistant titles in the unclassified service of New York State and included in the SUNY Graduate Student Negotiating Unit.

4.1 Types of Assistantships
Graduate assistantships may include Administrative Assistant, Teaching/Research Assistant, Graduate Community Director, and other graduate assistant positions approved by the university. Specific duties and responsibilities are determined by the employing academic department or administrative unit and are described in the appointment documentation.

4.2 Institutional Oversight
Graduate assistantships are awarded subject to available funding and institutional priorities. The number, distribution, and funding of graduate assistantships are determined through the university’s annual planning and budget process. Academic and administrative units may request graduate assistantships in accordance with established university procedures. Approval of graduate assistantships is subject to available resources and institutional priorities.

4.3 Eligibility
Graduate assistants must:

• Be matriculated graduate students enrolled in an on-campus or online graduate program.
• Be available to perform all assistantship duties in person at the Plattsburgh or Queensbury campus; remote work is not permitted.
• Be ordinarily enrolled full time in at least 12 graduate credit hours applicable to their degree program.
• Maintain good academic standing.
• Not simultaneously hold another SUNY Plattsburgh employment appointment, including a part-time professional or on-campus employment position.
• Meet any additional eligibility requirements established by the university or the employing department.

An exception to the full-time enrollment requirement may be granted in accordance with the Criteria for Exception to Graduate Assistantship Full-Time Status Requirement. An approved exception may permit enrollment below 12 credits, subject to the minimum enrollment level, criteria, documentation, and approvals established in that policy. Approved exceptions must be communicated to the office of Student Financial Services before the reduced enrollment or appointment takes effect.

4.4 Appointment and Continued Appointment
Appointments ordinarily cover one academic year, although one-semester appointments may be made when circumstances warrant. Current graduate assistants do not submit a new application solely to seek renewal. Renewal is not automatic and is subject to continued eligibility, satisfactory performance, position and funding availability, supervisor approval, and applicable appointment procedures.

A graduate assistant who withdraws from the university, loses matriculated status, fails to maintain required enrollment or academic standing, or otherwise becomes ineligible may lose all or part of the appointment, stipend, or tuition scholarship and may become responsible for applicable tuition charges.

4.5 Employment Status
Graduate assistants are both students and employees of the State University of New York. They are represented by the Graduate Student Employees Union (GSEU). Their terms and conditions of employment are governed by the applicable collective bargaining agreement and university and SUNY policies.

4.6 Funding and Compensation
Tuition scholarships are funded through university resources designated for graduate assistantships. Employing academic departments or administrative units are responsible for funding assistantship stipends unless an alternative funding source is approved.

Graduate assistant compensation consists of a stipend and, when included in the appointment, a tuition scholarship. The stipend, tuition scholarship, expected work commitment, appointment period, and any additional benefits must be stated in the appointment documentation.

Standard academic-year appointments generally consist of:

• A 20-hour-per-week appointment with a full tuition scholarship at the New York State resident tuition rate and an annual stipend of no less than the minimum required by the applicable collective bargaining agreement; or
• A 10-hour-per-week appointment with a half tuition scholarship at the New York State resident tuition rate and a proportionate annual stipend.

Stipends must meet the minimum established by the collective bargaining agreement. Stipend amounts may exceed the applicable minimum based on the position, funding source, or other approved terms. Stipends for one-semester or otherwise shortened appointments may be prorated as specified in the appointment.

The tuition scholarships are provided at the New York State resident tuition rate unless an alternative rate is expressly authorized and supported by an approved funding source. The tuition scholarship applies only to eligible tuition charges and does not cover fees unless expressly stated in the appointment. Other tuition-specific aid may reduce the scholarship when required by applicable financial aid rules. Graduate Community Director appointments may include housing, meal-plan, or other benefits as specified in the appointment.