Yale Summer Session is committed to helping faculty members secure the instructional support they need to manage the number of students enrolled in their course.
Courses offered online and in New Haven will become eligible for a Grader or Summer Assistant based on the enrollment of their course. Yale graduate and professional students appointed to Summer Assistant and Grader positions in Yale Summer Session are a part of Local 33. Typically, then, priority for these two roles should be given to qualified Yale graduate and professional students whenever possible. Doctoral students must have the support of their DGS and advisor to ensure that serving in this course support role will not conflict with their ability to complete their dissertation or other program requirements. If a qualified Yale graduate or professional student is not available or cannot be identified, the positions may be filled by qualified Yale College students, Yale alumni, and non-Yale individuals.
Please read below for more information about each position type:
Grader
Under close supervision by a faculty member, work consists of grading papers, homework, and/or exams. This position is typically for a course with substantial daily homework or problem sets such as a math heavy course or a language course. An instructor may hire one grader for every 10 students enrolled. Grader positions may be upgraded to a Summer Assistant I position once the appropriate enrollment threshold has been met. On average, Graders can expect to work up to 15-19 hours per week.
Summer Assistant 1
Under supervision by a faculty member, work consists of that of a grader with additional responsibilities such as leading a discussion topic or supporting lab work. This position is typically for seminars or science courses with lab components. An instructor may hire a Summer Assistant 1 if their course enrolls 18 students, a second assistant if their course enrolls 30 students, and further assistants for every 10 additional students enrolled. On average, Summer Assistants can expect to work up to 15-30 hours depending on the nature and needs of the course. **See OISS note below.
Summer Assistant 2
Under limited supervision by a faculty member, work consists of that of a Summer Assistant 1 with additional responsibilities such as being in charge of a lab. This position is rare, and the hiring of a Summer Assistant 2 is determined at the discretion of the Dean of YSS. On average, Summer Assistant 2s can expect to work up to 15-30 hours depending on the nature and needs of the course. **See OISS note below.
In all cases, the Director of Academic Affairs will reach out to instructors when the appropriate enrollment thresholds are met to inform instructors that they may hire a Grader or Summer Assistant. An instructor may not hire an assistant or grader without prior approval of Yale Summer Session.
**Please note there are specific requirements for current and recently graduated international students. As per federal immigration regulations and Yale policy, international graduate students studying here on an F-1 or J-1 visa may not work more than 19 hours (combined for all jobs) per week. Instructors may select an international graduate student as a Grader or a Summer Assistant as long as the workload does not exceed 19 hours. International students are advised to consult closely with the Office of International Students & Scholars (OISS) if they have questions about whether their visa status permits them to accept this appointment.
Faculty teaching in YSS Programs Abroad may hire local or non-Yale individuals as Program Assistants. Alternatively, faculty may hire graduate students into Program Coordinator 1 and 2 roles (non-union positions), in combination with a Grader position (union position), according to the policies outlined in the YSS Programs Abroad Instructor Handbook. Graduate Students hired to these positions are not permitted to teach while abroad, except in specific circumstances and written permission of the Programs Abroad Office.
Online Course Support
Each online course will be assigned an Online Support Assistant (OSA) who will provide instructional design and technology support before and during the summer term. The OSA's duties will include helping faculty prepare course content and assessments for an online audience and assist with Canvas course builds and configuration to deliver the courses. They will be the first point of contact for academic technology issues for the faculty as well as the students. The scope of the OSA role does not include grading or have other academic responsibilities in a course; it is separate from the YSS Grader and Summer Assistant I & II positions. For more information about Summer Session online education support, please contact jennifer.conroy@yale.edu.