Student Pay Scales

Definition of Terms

Graduate Assistant - A graduate student in an institution of higher education employed in support of a department or unit responsible for work assigned by the supervisor within the unit or department, which utilizes knowledge beyond undergraduate academic studies.

Research Assistant - A graduate student in an institution of higher education engaged in research that is a requirement for a class/lab in pursuit of an advanced degree and is being performed under the supervision of a faculty member or is being used in the production of a thesis or dissertation.

Teaching Assistant - A graduate student in an institution of higher education employed and engaged in support of the teaching mission of the unit and whose primary duty is teaching, tutoring, instructing or lecturing a class or class section, or a laboratory section.

Graduate PT Instructor (GPTI)- A graduate student in an institution of higher education employed in support of the teaching mission of the unit and whose primary duty is teaching, tutoring, instructing or lecturing and is in charge of a class or class section, or laboratory section. Graduate student must have at least 18 graduate hours in the teaching field.

Teaching Assistant - Summer School- A graduate student in an institution of higher education employed and engaged in support of the teaching mission of the unit and whose primary duty is teaching, tutoring, instructing and lecturing a class or class section, or a laboratory section.

Graduate PT Instructor-Summer School- A graduate student in an institution of higher education employed in support of the teaching mission of the unit whose primary duty is teaching, tutoring, instructing or lecturing and is in charge of a class or class section, or laboratory section. Graduate student must have at least 18 graduate hours in the teaching field.

Medical Student Research Assistant-Summer School - 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year Medical Student performing basic and applied research in the program of their sponsoring faculty member.

Residence Hall Assistants/Graduate Resident Hall Assistants- A student in an institution of higher education employed to perform work as assigned by the supervisor and who is assigned work in Housing Services to serve as a live-in member of the Residence Life Staff.

Student Assistant - A Texas Tech University student employed to perform work as assigned by the supervisor.

Scholar Student Assistant - A student in an institution of higher education employed to perform work as assigned by the supervisor and who is paid entirely from Welch Scholarship funds.

Food Service Student Assistant - A student in an institution of higher education employed to perform work as assigned by the supervisor and who is assigned work within Dining Services.

Student Assistant - External - A student in an institution of higher education other than TTU, employed to perform work as assigned by supervisor.

High School Student Worker - A high school student employed to perform work as assigned by the supervisor.

Nonexempt Employee- An employee employed in a position designated as nonexempt (N) or an employee employed on an hourly basis in a position designated to be exempt (E) in the Personnel Pay Plan. Such employees are subject to the record keeping and overtime provisions of the University and the Fair Labor Standards Act.

Exempt Employee- A monthly salaried employee employed in a position designated as exempt (E) in the Personnel Pay Plan. Such employees are exempt from the record keeping and overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Research Assistants (040630), and all members of the teaching faculty are also considered exempt if employed on a monthly salaried basis and if not dually employed in any nonexempt capacity.

Faculty Employee- An employee with academic rank paid in full or in part from the line item "Faculty Salaries" or from a funding source approved by the Provost. Faculty approved title codes begin with 03.

Graduate Assistant (External) - A graduate student in an institution of higher education other than TTU employed in support of a department or unit responsible for work assigned by the supervisor within the unit or department, which utilizes knowledge beyond undergraduate academic studies.

Research Assistant (External)- A graduate student in an institution of higher education other than TTU engaged in research that is a requirement for a class/lab in pursuit of an advanced degree and is being performed under the supervision of a faculty member or is being used in the production of a thesis or dissertation.

For a more complete understanding of these terms and definitions and their implications, consult the Operating Policy and Procedures Manual.

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