Things You Should Know: Policies & Regulations
There are various policies and regulations that faculty must adhere to at William & Mary. Although you are not a member of the faculty, as a teaching assistant or teaching fellow you should be aware of these policies and adhere to them just as faculty do.
Be sure you are familiar with the policies in the A&S Graduate Student Handbook, many of which are also referenced below.
- This includes posting grades and returning work to students in a way that protects their "personally identifiable" information and any confidential information. FERPA also requires that you not give out directory information for any student who has placed a block on their records. You may not provide information about a student's grades, class performance, or attendance to a parent or legal guardian unless the student has filed consent for that information to be shared through the Personal Information Questionnaire in Banner. If you are unsure about the right course of action, speak with a faculty member in your program.
- As a TA or TF you are considered a "responsible employee" and are obligated to report instances of sexual misconduct involving students, including sexual violence and sexual harassment. If a student discloses information to you about such an incident, you are required by law to report information about the incident to W&M's Title IX coordinator. The best way to report is using this online form.
- If you think a student is about to disclose information to you about an incident of sexual misconduct, you may want to remind them gently of your reporting obligations. They may be looking for your support but may not be ready to report the incident to the university.
- For more guidance on Title IX requirements and on ways to respond to a student's disclosure, give special attention to the online Haven Training which you will be required to complete. You can also read through some hypothetical situations to better understand how to respond, and read this helpful FAQ for faculty, which includes more about how the process of reporting works.
