Drake University Undergraduate Assistantship Program

2007-2008 Guidelines

[Download Guidelines]

 
Program Purpose and Goals

Undergraduate Assistantships create opportunities for students to be directly involved in the learning process or responsibilities within an academic or administrative department.  Students are significant members of the team although under the supervision of a faculty member or administrator.  The experience provides professional preparation related to the student’s career goals.

Program Goals: The following goals will serve as criteria in evaluation of the proposals.

  1. Create meaningful experiential education opportunities for students.  The experience is to be student-focused.
  2. Foster connections among academic study and work experiences.
  3. Increase mentorship experiences for students.

Student Qualifications and Award Information

  1. Any department may receive funding for a maximum of two assistantships. If more than one proposal is submitted, the department chair or director must prioritize the proposals.
  2. Any one position may be funded no more than two years in a row.  After a one-year break, application can again be made for the same position.
  3. The maximum award is $1650.  The university funds two thirds of the award up to $1100.  The department funds one third of the award up to $550. The department funds any expenses exceeding the granted award amount. Dollars set aside for student employment must be used to fund the department portion of the award.  Please consult with the individual who oversees your department budget to assure funds can be available.
  4. Undergraduate Assistants are paid $9 per hr.  The award assumes one student, working approximately 6 hours per week for 30 weeks at $9 per hour, would earn the maximum award of $1650.  Two or more students may share an award.
  5. Departments may recruit students as long as they meet the qualifying criteria.  To qualify to be an Undergraduate Assistant, a student must: (a) be of junior or senior standing in the 2008-2009 academic year, and (b) have a 3.00 GPA by the end of the summer 2008.
  6. Students may apply for positions by contacting the participating departments.
  7. Students holding Undergraduate Assistantships must submit a statement at the end of fall semester explaining what they have done and how they have benefited from the assistantship.  Faculty/staff sponsors are responsible for ensuring that they statements are submitted.

UNDERGRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP PROPOSAL
GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES

Individual faculty members and administrators are invited to submit proposals for an undergraduate assistant.  Proposals should describe the position, carefully noting how the goals identified above are encompassed in the plan.  Especially note that proposals must describe experiences that will enhance students' academic programs and allow for significant professional growth. 

Proposals are due in your Dean’s or Director’s Office by February 15, 2008 and must be forwarded to the Provost's office on or before February 22, 2008.

Awarded proposals will be announced by March 31, 2008. Faculty/staff who receive funding for undergraduate assistantships may contact Debra Wiley <debra.wiley@drake.edu>, Human Resources, to post an undergraduate assistantship on the web page or may contact qualified students directly to request that they apply for their particular assistantship.

Departmental funding must accompany the acceptance of an award.  Jolaine Sweiger, Student Financial Planning, will communicate directly with departmental budget personnel to provide administrative procedures for the program.

Please feel free to contact Sue Wright in the Provost’s Office for proposal related information or Susan Ladd in Student Financial Planning for funding related questions.