The TA Management System (TMS) provides departments with a tool to assign TA positions based on the TA’s strengths which are identified in the TA’s profile. TA’s complete their Grad Profile, review TA Assignments and Assignment of Duties through Carleton Central.
To access the TMS, click the “Graduate TA Management System” link found under the Student Support Services Menu in Carleton Central.
There are three steps you will need to complete prior to starting your TA assignment:
Step 1: Complete the Graduate TA Profile
Please complete the Grad Profile as soon, and as accurately, as possible. It is imperative that TAs complete their profile as the information will be used extensively by schools and departments when creating TA assignments.
Similar to the information found on a resume or CV, the Grad Profile will contain specific information such as course preferences, skills, and areas of interest that a TA will bring to her/his role as TA. Furthermore TAs will indicate employment and education history including any TA previous experience. TAs will have the option to identify concerns regarding scheduling conflicts or any personal issues the TA wishes to disclose.
In order for TAs to receive assignments best suited to their level of skill and experience, it is strongly suggested that TAs revisit the Grad Profile page on a regular basis to update the Grad Profile. Periodically, email reminders requesting TAs to make updates will be sent, but TAs are encouraged to be proactive in maintaining a current profile.
Step 2: Accept your TA Assignments
Upon completion of the Grad TA Profile, the department or school administrator will create an assignment which the TA will review and accept in Carleton Central on the “Graduate TA Assignments” page. Where a TA cannot accept an assignment due to scheduling conflicts, the TA will be required to visit her/his department or school to discuss available options.
Step 3: Accept your Assignment of Duties
TAs and instructors are obligated to complete and sign off on the Assignment of Duties form in Carleton Central. This online form, developed by your union and the university, establishes the employment contract which clearly indicates the duties and hours a TA will perform during the term. Weekly duties such as office hours, preparation time, discussion groups, lecture attendance, lab demonstration, supervision and cleanup, as well as other duties like grading and proctoring are all outlined in the Assignment of Duties form.
Time and care in completing the Assignment of Duties form should be exercised by both the TA and instructor/supervisor. Both parties need to meet and discuss the duties and hours the TA will be expected to perform over the term. Additional duties such as guest lecturing, which may interest the TA, should be discussed at this point. TA duties are not set in stone, and can be discussed/negotiated with the instructor/supervisor while completing the form. The instructor/supervisor will then enter into the Assignment of Duties form final work details as well as any qualifying comments.
Assignment of Duty forms that have been completed and signed off by an instructor/supervisor will become available to the TA in Carleton Central for review and sign off. The form will be accessible in the “Graduate TA Assignments” page of the “Graduate TA Management System” menu in Carleton Central.
TAs will click on the “View Details/Duties” link at the far right.
TAs will then click on the “Review/Accept Assignment Duties” on the right to enter the Assignment of Duties form.
Upon entering the Assignment of Duties form, TAs will peruse the form verifying duties and hours are accurate. Continuing to “Section F” at the bottom of the form, TAs may include any qualifying comment that is felt warranted before sign off. To sign off, TAs must tick the check box indicated by 1. (see below); then click on the “Accept Assignment” button indicated by 2. (see below).
Note: TAs will be required to review and sign off each assignment by term.
Thoroughly completing the online Assignment of Duties form will ensure that the TA, the Instructor, and the University are all informed of the expected duties to be performed. Essentially the Assignment of Duties form establishes the TA employment contract and will be referred to if duties and/or hours are later disputed.