GSR Appointment Information and Policy
A Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) is a full-time registered UCSC graduate student appointed to assist in performing research related to the student’s degree program in an academic department or research unit under the direction of a faculty member or authorized Principal Investigator. The student must be in good academic standing and making satisfactory and continuous progress toward the degree. NOTE: The GSR title is not appropriate for teaching or work that is strictly of a clerical or technical nature (i.e., filing, data entry, data base development, reception, etc.). There are separate titles that can be used for graduate students performing strictly clerical or technical work. For further information, contact the Arts Division’s SHR Service Team representative (the representative listed for "Arts" under "Timekeeping-Operations.")
GSRs are selected for high achievement and promise as creative scholars; they may collaborate in the publication of research results as determined by supervising faculty members. Students registered under Filing Fee Status are prohibited from holding any academic appointments. The Dean of the Graduate Division must approve all exceptions to appointment criteria.
No appointment as a GSR, either by itself or in combination with other University employment, shall exceed half-time (twenty hours per week) during an academic quarter, unless the employing unit has obtained approval from the Division of Graduate Studies. Documentation of approval must accompany the GSR Action form (e.g. a copy of the email from the Graduate Division). Under no circumstance may a GSR be appointed to work over 100% time. A student may work up to 100% time during the summer (July 1st to September 30th).
A new graduate student may work as a GSR during the summer which precedes the fall quarter they will begin a UCSC graduate program, provided that the student has enrolled in their fall courses (a minimum of five credits is required). Students are encouraged to visit the Division of Graduate Studies webpage for more information.