Hi! This page is designed for Associate Instructors – graduate student employees serving as instructors of record for undergraduate courses. Our goal is to provide you with a roadmap and resources to aid in classroom management, student support, and course organization.
A Welcome for Associate Instructors
Classroom and Accommodation Management
A student might disclose that they aren't able to participate in class due to a disability, maybe you need some exams printed – or maybe the projector in your room just died! Here's a little guide for situations where you may need to call in external help.
Exam Copying, Room Scheduling, and Equipment
We have per-department email addresses for these requests, so that you can be assured your request reaches the right staff member.
Economics History Exam Copy Requests [email protected] [email protected] Room Scheduling / Work Orders [email protected] [email protected] Equipment Checkout [email protected] [email protected] You can find the copy and print schedule here. To help out the staff, please include all items listed in the “Important Note” section of the schedule when submitting requests.
Audio-Visual Issues
If you experience a tech failure during class, you can call the Academic Technology & Support Classroom Hotline at (530) 752-3333 for immediate assistance. They should have someone out to you quickly, but it's okay to keep your lecture moving in other ways (e.g. saying "sorry we can't see this slide, but I'll post it to Canvas").
Office Space
Because you may require more specialized space for your Associate Instructing (e.g. to have performance discussions with your Teaching Assistants), you'll be assigned a special office for use during the quarter in which you're an instructor of record. The staff will be in touch to coordinate your office assignment and ensure you can get your keys in time!
Key Issues / Lockouts
If you arrive at your lecture space to find it locked, or if you lock your keys in your office after-hours, you can give Facilities' Urgent Request Hotline a call at (530) 752-1655. They'll be able to help you out!
Reasonable Accommodations
If a student mentions that they need an accommodation to participate in class, it's okay to make that accommodation yourself if it can be done easily and without affecting other students (e.g. enlarging the font size on a presentation, or turning on closed-captions).
For more complicated requests, the Student Disability Center (SDC) manages disability services for students on campus, and can be the point of contact for any requests. It's not on you to facilitate the entirety of that communication, however. If a student says that they require an accommodation in order to participate in a lecture or take an exam, it’s okay to simply direct them toward the SDC.
If the SDC cannot accommodate a request, the department may be able to help:Room Reservations: The Advising Center can reserve department or campus rooms (subject to availability). Please email [email protected] (for Economics) or [email protected] (for History) with the date, time, and specific accommodation needs.
Storage: The Advising Center can hold student belongings (backpacks, phones, etc.) during business hours (M-F 8:30–11:45 am & 1:00–4:30 pm).
The Advising Staff cannot proctor exams, however.
Permission to Add Policy
Please refer to our PTA Policy websites for current rules – one for Economics and one for History. You can direct any specific questions to [email protected].
Student Support
While leading your course, students may disclose difficult circumstances to you, or you may have concerns about their academic conduct. In this section, we'll go over a few resources and offices who can help.
- Assisting Students of Concern
- If you are concerned about a student’s health or well-being, refer to the UC Davis Red Folder website for a step-by-step guide on how to help. It’s okay to contact the Office of Student Support if you would like specific advice about a delicate situation; they are able to discuss matters without needing a formal report.
Basic Needs and Other Assistance
In addition to the Office of Student Support, a few other helpful resources:
- The AggieCompass Basic Needs Center can assist students with urgent basic-needs circumstances – financial assistance, food / housing security, and mental health resources.
- The Immigrant Legal Services Center provides free legal aid to undocumented and immigrant students and their immediate family.
- The Center for Advocacy, Resources, and Education provides confidential support and assistance to survivors of sexual harassment and violence.
A more full list, including 24-hour contact numbers, can be found on the UC Davis Red Folder website, but it's good to be aware of these resources.- Academic Integrity & Conduct
The Student Conduct and Integrity (SCI) office provides resources for:
- Managing classroom disruptions.
- Preventing and reporting cheating or plagiarism.
- Promoting integrity in your syllabus.
As with Student Support, SCI representatives are able to discuss cases informally and help you adjudicate whether a formal report is necessary.Peer Tutors
Aside from the staff advising team, we have the benefit of tremendous peer tutors in Economics and History who can assist your enrolled students!
AI Checklist
The aim of this checklist is to ensure that you have a basic structure for the quarter. As noted above, it is not intended to replace discussions with your faculty mentor for the course. They’re always the best resource!
Phase 1: Pre-Quarter Preparation (2-4 Weeks Out)
☑ Finalize Syllabus. Ensure it includes your grading scale, schedule, a mention of the Code of Academic Conduct, and any other language required for your course. Student Conduct and Integrity has a website with helpful example phrases you can use (some, perhaps, a bit dated).
Please add the following language to your syllabus to be sure that students have the accommodations they need to be successful in your course.
“I am committed to creating a learning environment that is as accessible and inclusive as possible. I make every effort to ensure that course materials, activities, and technologies are accessible to all students. That said, I may not be perfect in my efforts.
If you encounter any barriers to access in this course, or if you need course content in an alternative or remediated accessible format, please let me know as soon as possible. You may contact me directly at [UCD email] so I can address the issue. I welcome feedback and will work promptly to address accessibility needs.
Students with disabilities who wish to request academic accommodations are encouraged to contact Student Disability Services as early as possible in the semester to begin the accommodations process. Once accommodations are approved, please share your accommodation notification with me so that we can implement them effectively.”
☑ Canvas Setup. Publish your course and upload your syllabus. Ensure Canvas is configured to match your syllabus.
☑ Access and Keys. Contact [email protected] (for Economics) or [email protected] (for History) if you have any questions about physical access for your assigned classroom or office space.
☑ TA & Reader Coordination. If you have been assigned TAs and/or Readers, reach out to schedule an orientation meeting to discuss grading expectations and section goals. We have a little guide on supervising student employees here, and suggest you review it.
Phase 2: The First Two Weeks (The "Add/Drop" Rush)
☑ Review Rosters. Keep an eye on your rosters as the days progress to ensure enrollment is proceeding as you'd expect.
☑ PTA Management. Familiarize yourself with the PTA Policy (for Economics; for History). Direct students with registration issues to [email protected].
Phase 3: Mid-Quarter and Exams
☑ Submit Print Requests. Email [email protected] (for Economics) or [email protected] (for History) to request exam copies. Please submit at least 5 business days in advance, including all the information requested on the print schedule.
☑ SDC Accommodations. Confirm your list of students requiring accommodations. For departmental backup, email [email protected] (for Economics) or [email protected] early.
Phase 4: Finals and Closing the Term
☑ Final Exam Prep. Submit final exam print requests by the departmental deadline.
☑ Academic Integrity. If you suspect a violation of academic conduct during finals, you can discuss with the Student Conduct and Integrity office.
☑ Final Grade Submission. Submit grades no later than the Wednesday after the term ends. A more complete grading guide can be found on the Registrar’s Office site, but this is another area where your faculty mentor is a great resource!