Library Research
An important part of GA work is to assist college faculty by doing library research. The libraries available in Boise include the Boise Public Library, the Law Library, and the Albertsons Library (on campus). Some library research is performed in the Albertsons Library at Boise State University. It is highly recommended that you attend one of the orientation tours provided by the library staff to learn where information is located and how to best utilize the Albertsons Library resources. Please familiarize yourself with the Library Policies.
On-Line Library Research
Albertsons library provides you with search capabilities from the comfort of your home or on campus. Access the Albertsons Library.
Inter-Library Loans
Some materials may be not available in the Albertsons Library collection but can be accessed through inter-library loan. As a graduate student, you are allowed to order several items for free.
When doing an inter-library loan (ILL) for your GA work: see instructions at Interlibrary Loan
ILL can take about 3 days for articles and up to 2 weeks or longer for books.
Proctoring and Make-Up Exams
Proctoring
A common duty performed by GAs is to proctor exams for his/her department faculty members. When your assistance is needed, you will be asked to proctor an exam on a certain date and time. The department will inform you of the necessary materials, forms, scratch paper, and etc., and test time limits.
Once in the class, your duty is to hand the tests to the students, remain present as they take the test, collect the exams as the students are finished or when time is up, and return the exams to the professor. If the test has a time limitation, it is common practice to write “10 minutes left” or “5 minutes left” on the board at the appropriate time to inform students of the impending deadline. Be sure to ask the department what materials the students are allowed to have during test time (e.g. books, notes, calculators). Monitor students for cheating during the test, which can come in the form of accessing forbidden materials, talking, looking at someone else’s test, or failing to stop when time is called. As an exam proctor, it is your responsibility to take immediate mitigating action in the event of cheating and to inform the department of any cheating that took place, including the names of involved student(s). The first step to take when you see cheating is to make an announcement to the class, such as “keep your eyes on your own papers.” Don’t be afraid to look directly at the offender when you make your announcement. If the cheating persists after one attempt using more “friendly” tactics, you have the right to take any offending student’s exam away. If students ask questions during the exam, your responses should be limited to clarification and not include any insight into the answer. Please remember, proctoring is a duty directly related to the integrity of this institution, therefore you must take it very seriously!
Make-Up Exams
Proctoring of make-up exams will be coordinated between you and your department. Normally, you will be required to check identification cards of students taking the test to verify that the person taking the test is the person attending the class. Then follow the same procedure as noted above.
Computer Bubble Sheets
Sometimes professors may ask you to deliver computer bubble sheets to the Office of Information Technology (OIT or Data Center) for grading. Perform the following:
- Get the computer bubble sheets and the answer key from the professor. Be sure the answer key includes the course number, professor’s name, and indicates “quiz (or test) master.”
- Take them to Office of Information Technology, B112. Find out when the test results will be available for pick up either by you, or the professor. Turnaround time is usually only two hours, but be sure to verify the time frame.
EXAMS ARE NEVER TO BE LEFT IN THE GA WORK AREAS or GA LOUNGE.
Tutoring
Part of your duties as a GA may be to provide tutoring services. Typically, tutoring is done in connection with a specific undergraduate course offering, such as BusStat 207 (business statistics) or Acct 205 (intro to financial accounting.) When given a tutoring assignment, you must establish office hours and room assignments for students to see you on a walk-in basis. If you decide to see students outside of your schedule, you may do so at your own discretion. It is acceptable to charge students a fee for meetings outside of your normal schedule; however, any time for which the student compensates you may not be recorded on your GA time sheet.
Coordinate your schedule and room assignments with your department’s secretary. Post your hours of availability on the cork boards on each floor, next to the rooms in which you hold office hours, in the COBE Student Services office (1st floor), in the student services office (Admin building, 1st floor), with each professor teaching the course you are tutoring, and in other key visible locations inside the Micron Business and Economics Building as well as with your department and the Graduate Business Studies office. Consider the following factors when making your tutoring schedule: room availability times, your schedule, and the schedule of the course you are tutoring. If you don’t check the schedule of the actual class in question, you may end up with an overlap that defeats the purpose of available tutoring. Clear communication with the professor involved can make your efforts an asset to the professor and students. Furthermore, communication can make your efforts much more pleasant.
Before class begins, it is a good idea to meet personally with each professor teaching the course. Let the professors know what your tutoring schedule is and ask that they make an announcement to their class about your availability. You should also take this opportunity to ask the professors of any special instructions they may have with regard to your interaction with students. Be aware of what assignments students are working on and clarify your understanding of the material if you have questions. Do not share instructional materials with students such as answer keys or exam keys. Remember, your role as a tutor is to provide guidance and enhance understanding; it is not to provide specific answers or do students’ homework!