TA Guide: Get Support with Difficult Situations

There are many people here to support you

For any student issue, please contact your lead instructor first. For additional assistance, check out these resources.

Understanding your pay, fees, and benefits

Contact the Human Resources specialist for your department to get information specific to your situation.

Navigating international student/employee life

Mental health support for yourself or your students

University Health Services (UHS) has a variety of no-cost options for students. Some services require an appointment; others are drop-in. The Employee Assistance Office (EAO) offers no-cost counseling to UW employees, including TAs.

Students who are consistently absent and/or won’t respond to email

If you believe a student is in immediate danger or is missing, please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department at 911 or 608-264-2677. If a student is experiencing a mental health crisis, please call the UHS 24/7 Crisis Line at 608-265-5600 (option 9). Otherwise, follow these steps.

Step 1: Reach out to the student, if you have not yet. The Office of Student Assistance and Support has resources about how to speak to a student you may be worried about.
Step 2: Inform your lead instructor about the concern.
Step 3: Your lead instructor will likely complete a student of concern form, although you also may do so.

Support providing disability accommodations

The McBurney Disability Resource Center assists students in need of accommodations as well as instructors who are providing accommodations. When you have a student with accommodations in your class or section, you will receive an email from McBurney outlining the accommodations request. In most cases, decisions about disability accommodations should be made by the lead instructor. Do not approve accommodations in your section without discussing it with your lead instructor.

To understand what accommodations are and who can help, check out this FAQ.

Student support and belonging

Student Affairs provides support and hosts events through various centers on campus. Explore their websites to see what they have to offer!

Multicultural Student Center
Disability Cultural Center
Gender & Sexuality Campus Center
International students can also visit International Student Services

Students who are disruptive

Your lead instructor should be the first point of contact when dealing with a disruptive student.

The guide Navigating Classroom Dynamics & Disruptions offers strategies for addressing a variety of situations.

Interpersonal issues with your lead instructor

Ideally, conflicts between you and your lead instructor can be resolved through clear, thoughtful communication. However, if that is not possible, we suggest you attempt resolution through the director of graduate studies (DGS) for your department. If you’d like external support, check out these resources:

A Graduate Student Guide to Working with Faculty Advisors – While this resource was designed for working with faculty advisors, much of the advice within is relevant to instructor-TA relationships.
The Office of Student Assistance and Support provides resources to all students – graduate and undergraduate – struggling with a variety of issues. You can connect with OSAS for assistance through email, phone, or drop-in hours. Elaine Goetz in OSAS works specifically with grad students, and you can reach out to her directly for issues related to being a grad student: egoetz2@wisc.edu.

Academic misconduct or cheating

If you suspect a student of engaging in academic misconduct, always contact your lead instructor as a first step. The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards provides guidance on additional steps that may be appropriate to take.

Support meeting basic needs for yourself or your students

The Office of Student Assistance and Support offers information and support navigating campus and community resources.