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OSU Foreign Language Center

Teaching Assistant Workshop Guide

The TA Training Workshop is one of the conditions necessary to teach at The Ohio State University. The workshop runs from the day after Labor Day for two weeks (Monday-Friday) from 8:30 am-5:00 pm. Upon satisfactory completion of this workshop, you will receive a stipend on the last working day of September. In order to help you manage your time, we have put together some information you will need to follow carefully. The specific time, date and place of the first workshop meeting are included in your letter of offer.

Prior to Your Arrival for the Orientation Workshop:

The first thing you should do upon your arrival in Columbus is to check in with the department in which you will be teaching. In order to process your employment infomation and class registration information, you MUST complete your tax card and ARMS Personal Data Worksheet. Until these documents are processed you are not considered a student or employee of the university. You should see your Fiscal/Human Resources Officer in your language department, who will guide you through this process.

You will need to have completed the following forms:

If any of these forms are missing it will affect your paycheck! The Department will give you an authorization form to get an OSU ID card. Take the form to the ID Center, 219 Lincoln Tower, 292-0400, between the hours of 8am and 4pm. The ID is good for many things including checking out library books, using the gym facilities, or getting discounts at area businesses.

To open your e-mail account on-line, click here. To open your account in person, take your university ID to Customer Services in the Baker Systems Media Center, 512 Baker Systems to request the change in person.

For information about Columbus, Ohio and The Ohio State University check out the following sites:

Personal Matters:

If you are an international student -- you need to have the appropriate VISA status. Any questions regarding this should be directed to the Office of International Education, 614-292-6101. If you are applying for a Graduate Teaching Associateship, information concerning test scores and the Speak Test can be obtained from the Spoken English Program.

International Students: The Office of International Education - 122 Oxley Hall, 1712 Neil Avenue - walk in hours begin August 10 - September 19. This office will help you with special requirements for scheduling your required English tests, tuberculin test, and assist you in keeping all your visa and immigration information current. Be sure to take all your important papers with you when you visit this office. International graduate students are required to provide proof of health insurance or purchase the student insurance that is available to you. If you have a temporary social security number (beginning with 999) this office will also help you get a permanent social security number.

All incoming students should look for housing prior to the Workshop if at all possible. Check the Graduate Student Housing and Buckeye Village for additional off campus information. If you wish to live on campus, many Graduate Teaching Associates reside in Jones Tower. You should also check the OSU newspaper, The Lantern, for information about rental properties near campus. If you are looking for an apartment, you will need to arrange for utility hook-ups (gas, water, phone, electric). Most rental agencies will require a deposit in advance, before you can move in - so be prepared for these expenses! Keep in mind you will not receive your first regular paycheck until the last working day of October.

If you have children, you will need to secure child care. There is an organization in Columbus called Action for Children which can refer you to registered babysitters or child care schools. They are located at 78 Jefferson Ave, Columbus, OH 43215, 614-224-0222.

Open checking and saving accounts as soon as you can. There are many banks located in the University district: Bank One, Ohio State Savings, and Huntington. General office hours are 9 am- 5 pm, Monday-Friday. You may request to have your paycheck deposited directly into your account once you have opened one. The forms for direct deposit are located in your department.

The Office of International Education has provided a wealth of information for all new Graduate Teaching Associates (national as well as international). If you need help with transportation from the airport, temporary housing, on and off campus housing, health insurance, banking information, etc. visit their International Students' Page.

University Matters:

If you are expecting financial aid, please contact the Office of Student Financial Aid directly at 614-292-0300. If you plan to drive to campus you will want to consider getting a parking permit to park. Take your letter of offer to Transportation and Parking Services in Bevis Hall, Carmack Road (on West Campus) to get your parking permit. You are eligible for a "B" or "C" sticker. It is best to do this after you have your OSU picture ID card. Before you make your travel arrangements for the Holiday Breaks, check the University Calendar.

During the Workshop:

You will meet with an advisor during the first week of the Workshop to determine your class schedule for Autumn Quarter. Once you have done this, your Language Program Director will then be able to complete your class assignment. The office assignments will be made and keys will be distributed by your department during the first week. The textbooks and materials you will use to teach your class will be distributed by your department during the first day of the Workshop.

After the Workshop:

Be aware that you will have only a couple of working days to prepare for taking and teaching class. You will need to plan time to buy the books for the courses you are taking, complete lesson plans, attend departmental meetings, and other personal business.

See You In September!
Sincerely,

Rebecca Bias
Assistant Director, The Foreign Language Center