The anatomy of your offer letter

Terms of Appointment

Communications such as e-mails and verbal conversations between faculty and students do not constitute official offers of appointment. A student cannot begin any duties associated with an appointment until the business manager, or another designee, of the appointing unit issues and receives back a signed offer letter.

Incoming students should receive a recruitment financial support offer letter and upon acceptance of the offer, they should receive an appointment letter.  Please review the information below detailing what should be included in each. If offers of appointment are missing any of the items listed, please contact the appointing unit directly for written clarification.

Continuing students should receive an appointment letter each academic year or semester depending on the terms of their recruitment offer. Please review the information below detailing what should be included. If offers of appointment are missing any of the items listed, please contact the appointing unit directly for written clarification.

Recruitment Financial Support Offer Letter

• Appointment term(s) (i.e., fall, spring, academic year)

• Appointment level (assistant or associate) 

• Compensatory stipend amount and pay period information

• Tuition award benefits

• Health Insurance information as applicable

• Additional funding as applicable and disbursement information

• Financial Support Estimate Summary

• Instructions and deadline for acceptance of offer  

 Appointment Letter

• Specific duties (course information for TA appointments)

• Name of the faculty supervisor and form of supervision

• Appointment term(s) (i.e., fall, spring, academic year)

• Appointment level (assistant or associate) 

• Appointment start and end date 

• Compensatory stipend amount and pay period information

• Tuition award benefits

• Health Insurance information as applicable

• Additional funding as applicable and disbursement information

• Financial Aid Impacts

• Information about taxes

• Fees and Program Tuition

• Information about required orientations or trainings including the Graduate Assistant Training (TA/RA) programEnglish proficiency requirements as applicable

• Work Limits including internal policies for holding appointments outside of academic unit, or holding teaching or consulting positions while enrolled

• Unit, Departmental or Program-Specific Terms including a link to academic program handbook

• Link to the TA/RA Handbook

• Credit Hour, Academic and GPA requirements

• Voluntary Resignation and Involuntary Termination of appointment

• Financial Impacts of Early Termination

• Instructions and deadline for acceptance of offer