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. Math department policies are available at https://math.wisc.edu/ta-and-grader/ta-policies-and-procedures/, although GAPP is always the most up-to-date.

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 completing additional MLC hours.  This includes, for example, a TA who is traveling to a conference. You can always reach out to Bobby Grizzard, Cassie Williams, and Qin Li if you have questions.
• 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 Qin Li, 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 encourage you to take the following steps (in order).

1. Reach out directly to the other TAs teaching for your particular lecturer, as this will be the least disruptive for the students.

2. Reach out to TAs teaching other sections of the same course.

3. Email all current TAs using math_dept_ta@g-groups.wisc.edu or all math grad students using math-graduate@g-groups.wisc.edu. (You have to be a math graduate student to send to the math-graduate group.)

4. 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 Qin Li and let us know. Even in cases where sick leave is not being used, we sometimes help find subs at the very last minute.

Note: LSAs should first try to find a sub from within their own course. If no one is available, reach out to current LSAs for other courses, or past LSAs.

Emergencies

If you find that you are unable to sub at the last minute (e.g., you wake up sick or fall ill late at night, or your transportation to campus has an issue and you won't make it to class), please email Bobby Grizzard AND Cassie Williams AND Heidi Udelhoven (2nd floor administrator). If we cannot find a sub in time, we will do our best to communicate the situation with your students and lecturer.

Longterm Absences

In cases of longer-term absences (3 or more days):  please contact your lecturer, Bobby Grizzard, Cassie Wililams, and Qin Li.  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 Qin Li and we will do our best to answer it, either via email or by putting an answer up here.