Campuses:
The University of Minnesota policy on paid and unpaid leaves of absence for Graduate Assistants is summarized here. It is also covered in Article 23 of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the University of Minnesota and the Graduate Labor Union–United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America. A summary follows.
| Sick Time | Up to ten days of paid time per academic year (including Summer) |
|---|---|
| Parental Leave | Graduate Assistants holding a 50% appointment or greater are eligible for six weeks paid parental leave |
| Bereavement Leave | Up to three days |
| Jury Duty and Civic Leave | Upon request and with documentation |
| Military Leave | Leave with pay not exceeding fifteen days per calendar year |
| Immigration Leave | Up to a total of five days of paid leave each academic year (including Summer) |
| Vacation and Holidays | Graduate Assistants do not receive paid vacation other than official University of Minnesota holidays. In particular, the University does not recognize the time between terms as holidays |
| Personal Days | Graduate Assistants who receive a fall or spring semester appointment may request up to three days of paid personal leave each semester. Graduate Assistants who have a summer appointment may request up to three personal days over the summer term. |
Additional notes regarding Personal Days
Graduate Student substitution in case of Leave
The School of Physics will be responsible for finding appropriate substitution for Teaching Assistants who may be on leave during the school term (outside of regularly scheduled academic breaks). The office will first contact other Teaching Assistants who may be willing to cover those sessions affected by the leave. Else, substitutes will be selected by the School from those whose duties, in the estimation of the Director of Undergraduate Studies, fall below the twenty hour working time expectation for the week in which the leave has been requested.
Campus presence during the Semester
Graduate Assistants are required to work throughout the semester of employment, and be present on campus. Any remote work arrangement needs to be explicitly authorized by the the Graduate Assistant's Supervisor.
The School of Physics and Astronomy does not generally assign duties after the school term ends (after final exam grades are recorded). However, Graduate Assistant employment obligations extend to any duties assigned through the end of the semester, even if they take place after the school term ends.
Students holding a Teaching Assistant appointment (TAs) are expected to carry out their duties while physically present on campus for the duration of the semester in which they are appointed. This includes the week of final exams (ending December 18, 2025 this year), and any days after that date needed for grading (instructor approval will be required for travel during this grading period). Teaching Assistants are also required to be on campus and available no later than the Thursday before the week in which classes start in the Spring semester (January 15, 2026 this academic year since classes start on January 20, 2026.).
Full time employees at the University of Minnesota, including graduate assistants, are also eligible to accrue Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST). Information on hours earned, and how to request time is given here.