Information for Teaching Assistants#
Many PhD students in the CS department are funded through teaching assistantships, which provide a stipend and tuition remission up to 9 credit hours per semester during the academic year (Fall and Spring semesters). This section describes the expectations for teaching assistants.
The role of teaching assistants is to assist instructors with academic duties involving instruction and evaluation in the classroom. Typical duties include:
Writing lecture notes, instruction plans, or lab procedures.
Assisting students with activities in the classroom.
Holding office hours to provide additional support for students.
Occasionally teaching class.
Note: grading is not a principal duty for teaching assistants. While TAs may be asked to grade student work from time to time, it should not be their main obligation.
The department’s intention is that teaching assistantships serve as an educational experience for the TA. TAs should be mentored by faculty, and their primary duties should be teaching-related. As such, the teaching assistantship is not a job for which the TA is paid. Instead, it is an educational opportunity that the department provides and pays a stipend to pay for modest living expenses.
Working Hours#
TAs are expected to work no more than 20 hours per week on average during the course of the semester. This limited workload is intended to provide time for students to spend on research and their own coursework.
Teaching Assistant Course Assignment Policy#
Order of TA Assignment Priority:
Courses taught by early-career tenure-track faculty
Courses taught by research-intensive faculty
Introductory main sequence courses: COMP 141, 170, 264, 271, 272
Legal Obligations for TAs#
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) Obligations for TAs#
Teaching Assistants (TAs) at Loyola University Chicago are bound by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) to protect the confidentiality of student education records. This means that TAs must not disclose grades, performance information, or any personally identifiable student data to anyone other than authorized university personnel who have a legitimate educational interest. TAs should handle all student information – whether in physical form, electronic systems like Sakai or LOCUS, or casual conversation – with discretion and care. Questions about a student’s academic progress, grades, or attendance should be directed only to the student or the instructor of record, and never to other students, parents, or outside parties without written consent.
Sexual Harassment#
Teaching Assistants (TAs) at Loyola University Chicago are expected to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and respect in all interactions with students. This includes upholding the University’s policies on sexual harassment, discrimination, and misconduct. TAs occupy positions of authority and trust, and they must use that authority responsibly by avoiding any behavior that could be construed as favoritism, coercion, or unwelcome attention. Maintaining clear professional boundaries with students is essential to fostering a safe and respectful academic environment.
All TAs are required to complete the University’s sexual harassment prevention training, which provides essential guidance on recognizing, preventing, and reporting inappropriate behavior. This training is not a formality – it is a legal and ethical obligation. TAs must take it seriously and apply its principles consistently in their teaching and interactions.