University of Michigan-Flint

The Graduate Student Research Assistantship (GSRA) program at the University of Michigan-Flint is a vehicle to provide financial support for the academically-related research activities of active UM-Flint graduate students. A GSRA is an appointment which may be provided to a student in good standing in a UM-Flint graduate degree program who assists UM-Flint faculty performing research that is relevant to his or her academic goals or who performs personal research (including thesis preparation). Appointments to the GSRA program at UM-Flint are made for one or two semesters/terms and are contingent upon the recommendation of the faculty member of the sponsoring in an academic department and the approval of the Dean of Graduate Programs.  You can read the complete guidelines on the Graduate Programs Web site at http://www.umflint.edu/graduateprograms/gsra.htm.

The Office of Graduate Programs has offered funding for GSRAs since Fall 2006.  Dozens of UM-Flint faculty members and graduate students have benefited from this program.

UM-Flint faculty can request funding for GSRA positions through the Associate Provost and Dean of Graduate Programs.  GSRAs are generally appointed at 10-20% effort in Fall and/or Winter, which translates to an availability of one or two semesters for 4-8 hours per week.  Spring/Summer GSRA funding is limited.

To request a GSRA position, please complete the online requisition after reading the following information:

By completing this requisition, you are indicating that you need assistance from a graduate student in performing research or creative endeavors as a University of Michigan-Flint faculty member in the 2013-2014 academic year. Faculty can submit multiple requests for GSRAs. Please note that current funding for this program may not allow the Office of Graduate Programs to offer or fill every position requested. Staff at UM-Flint may apply for GSRA positions, but preference will be given to full-time faculty members if there are more requests than funds available for positions.

Faculty may identify a graduate student as a “candidate in mind” for the position if desired. The position will still be posted and other students may apply, but the candidate in mind will be appointed provided they apply through Human Resources, accept the appointment, and meet the minimum criteria. Students will apply for the position online through Human Resources beginning April 3; deadline to apply is June 1. Following the application period, the supervising faculty member will be sent applications and essays of all students that apply. The faculty member will rank the acceptable candidates in order of preference. If the top candidate is not available, the next candidate will be appointed.

If your position is approved and funded, please note that you will be responsible for supervision of the graduate student’s work as a GSRA and must provide periodic reports to the Office of Graduate Programs. Students are not required to submit timesheets, but individual faculty members may choose to monitor their time in whatever way they deem necessary to ensure assigned work is completed in a timely manner.

A GSRA with questions or concerns about any aspect of his or her appointment will be encouraged to raise the concerns with the faculty supervisor first. If unable to resolve, the faculty member or student may bring the matter to the attention of the Office of Graduate Programs (810-762-3171), University Human Resources (810-762-3150), or Academic HR Services Office (734-763-8938) who can advise and assist students and departments in the resolution of non-academic issues which may arise relating to the terms and conditions of GSRA appointments.

"The GSRA program is one of the real strengths of UM-Flint’s graduate experience for students and faculty. The mentoring and collaborative relationship that I have developed with my RA has been more meaningful and productive than any other educational experience I’ve been involved in. Collaborative research has allowed the classroom experience to become just the first step in introducing a student into the field; creating this relationship with one of our most talented students has made my work, both teaching and research, far richer. Our graduate students vary greatly in their preparation, abilities, and goals for their graduate education. The GSRA program has allowed me to respond when a student shows a real interest in and aptitude for research in my field."
-Vickie Larsen, Dept. of English

"...the GSRA program was well served by [the student's] involvement, whom I strongly feel met the high standards required of students at The University of Michigan-Flint.  It should be specifically noted that [he]met with me on a weekly basis throughout the duration of the 2008 Winter Term, and sent e-mail communications chronicling the hours spent on his project each week.  During our discussions, I found [the student] to be knowledgeable about his topic, and enthusiastic about the research in which he was engaged.  Indeed, during his visits to my office, [he] often exceeded the amount of time allotted for our weekly discussions, an indication of the personal interest he exhibited, and the depth of the information he had accumulated.  It is safe to say that [he] exceeded my expectations..."
-CAS Faculty Member