As a graduate student, whether funded by the department or not, it is very important that you familiarize yourself with University Operating Policies and Procedures (OP).  They define your rights and responsibilities as a graduate student and, as in the case of many of you, as a teaching assistant.  The majority of the OP's related to you are listed in Section 64.  The following is a list containing the most important OP's concerning you that you must read:

1. OP 64.02:  Defines full-time studies, continuous enrollment, and residency conditions.
   1. http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP64.02.pdf
2. OP 64.03:  Defines the responsibilities and procedural guidelines for TA's and GPTI's.
   1. http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP64.03.pdf
3.  OP 64.04:  Defines the academic requirements for continuation of graduate studies.
   1. http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP64.04.pdf
4.  OP 64.07:  Outlines the disposition of cases involving graduate student appeals.
   1. http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP64.07.pdf
5.  OP 64.11:  Defines guidelines for handling graduate student employee insurance.
   1. http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP64.11.pdf
6.  OP 70.05:  Defines university policy and employee eligibility for insurance programs and other benefits.
   1. http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP70.05.pdf
7.  OP 32.25:  Defines guidelines for tutoring for payment.
   1. http://www.depts.ttu.edu/opmanual/OP32.25.pdf