TA Absences

This page summarizes how to find subs for TA absences in the math department.

Background

In 2020-21, L&S revised a number of policies surrounding TA absences, including sick days.  Below, we summarize current L&S policies as they pertain to Math TA’s.  Note that the policies are set by L&S and subject to change, so for more details, you should always refer to the Graduate Assistantship Polices and Procedures (GAPP) document: https://hr.wisc.edu/policies/gapp/ as well as https://kb.wisc.edu/ls/24845

L&S policy is that covering courses is a shared responsibility of a department, and that occasionally subbing for another TA is a normal part of every TA’s administrative duties. Below, we’ve outlined some more details:

Sick leave or not?

If you are a TA who is missing class for 1 or 2 days, first determine if you will be taking official sick leave.

• If a TA is missing their course for reasons NOT covered by the sick leave policy (see GAPP), then the TA is responsible for: obtaining approval from the lecturer to be absent for those classes; finding their sub;  and making up the missed hours by subbing for the other TA’s sections or MathLab.  This includes, for example, a TA who is traveling to a conference.
• If a TA is missing their course for reasons covered by the sick leave policy (see GAPP), then they may either
  • Find their sub and swap as above.  This lets a TA retain their sick days, in case of an unexpected longer term issue.
  • Use a sick day, in which case the TA is not required to make up the time, nor to find their own substitute. (To use a sick day you need to clearly inform Bobby Grizzard and Daniel Erman, via an email, that you would like to do so. Also fill out the google form below.)
• In all cases, the TA should fill out this google form

How to find a sub

If you are seeking a sub, we would encourage to take the following steps (in order).

1. Reach out directly to the others teaching your particular lecture, as this will be the least disruptive for the students.

2. Write to one of the following mailing lists to ask someone else to step in:

• Math 221: math-221-tas@g-groups.wisc.edu
• Math 222: math-222-tas@g-groups.wisc.edu
• Math 234: math-234-tas@g-groups.wisc.edu
• All other courses: non-calc-tas@g-groups.wisc.edu

3. If you still are unable to find a find a sub at this point, then you can reach out to Bobby Grizzard, Cassie Williams, and Daniel Erman and let us know. Even in cases where sick leave is not being used, we sometimes help find subs at the very last minute.

Longterm Absences

In cases of longer-term absences (3 or more days):  please contact your lecturer, Bobby Grizzard, Cassie Wililams, and Daniel Erman.  These are handled on a case-by-case basis.

FAQ

We are hoping to add a Frequently Asked Questions section. If you have a question, please send it to Bobby Grizzard, Cassie Wililams, and Daniel Erman and we will do our best to answer it, either via email or by putting an answer up here.