University Framework on Teaching Fellows

July 2022
Revised June 2023

Coverage
The proposed framework supersedes previous policies. It is issued by the Office of
Academic Affairs and by the Department of Human Resources at Ashoka University. It is
effective from Monsoon semester of 2022.

Introduction

Teaching Fellows (TFs) are an integral part of our teaching program. They lead discussion
groups, tutor students, and assist faculty in grading and class logistics. The experience is
valuable to TFs in preparation for careers in teaching. Even when academia is not the
destination, TFs use this time to reflect, gather information and refine their career choices.

In 2021/22, we had more than 80 TFs working in our programs every term. Many, if not,
most of our TFs have trained in universities outside Ashoka. This may change as graduate
training programs become more prominent within the University. PhD students who assist
in courses and do the same work as TFs are called Graduate Assistants (GA) and they are
governed by different policies. TFs are, therefore, those not enrolled in any program of
study (that leads to a degree) at Ashoka.

Since teaching is an essential part of graduate training, the University’s expenditures on TFs
should be available, in principle, to supplement the resources for graduate programs.
Research universities with established graduate programs rarely hire teaching assistants
from outside. If that substitution takes place in Ashoka, the TF category can be expected to
diminish in the future.

Teaching Units
A teaching fellow is compensated on the basis of teaching units. Three discussion sessions
typically form one teaching unit. Two teaching units will be expected to their minimum
workload from the academic year 2022/23.

Assignment of Teaching Units to Courses

Foundation Courses

A foundation course of up to 100 students will receive 2 teaching units (TUs). This will
normally consist of 6 discussion sessions (DS). FCs with higher enrolment may receive more
TUs (and therefore, higher compensation depending on the number of DS)in consultation
with the Dean of Academic Affairs.

Currently, in most FCs, TFs have been hired for only one TU or 3 DS. As the University
expands, Ashoka faces constraints on office space and housing for TFs. We, therefore,
require more intensive engagement with the TFs in order to support them better. Hence
the recommendation that their workload should not be less than 2 TUs.

Major/Minor courses (This does not apply to major/minor courses in Computer Science,
Chemistry, Economics, Mathematics and Physics. Separate policies will be issued for these
departments)

All major/minor courses will receive 1 TU (or 3 DS) for enrolment between 35 and 60. For
courses with enrolment > 60, instructors may, in consultation with the DAA, consider
increasing the number of DS The TF compensation will accordingly be adjusted (see
addendum)

Currently all major/minor course with enrolment > 44 receive one TF. The substantive
change is that the enrolment threshold has been reduced to 34 for all MM courses. Many
more courses will now receive teaching fellows. This will place additional demands on
finance, office space and housing. To cope with this, teaching fellows should be hired for
not less than 2 TUs.

Advance Approval

Approval (in advance of enrolment) for TF slots will be granted by the DAA for the following
categories:
(a) All Foundation Courses
(b) All Major/Minor courses with an enrolment > 44 in the past year.
In all other cases, approval is contingent on enrolment during registration.

Duration

TF contracts will start one week before the beginning of the term. They will end with the
grade submission deadline announced by the OAA.

Time limit

Employment as TF is permitted for a maximum of 4 semesters. This will apply to all TFs
starting new in Monsoon 2022. Existing TFs who have served 2 semesters or less can
continue for 4 more semesters. For existing TFs who have served more than 2 semesters,
2022/23 will serve as the last year of employment.

Remuneration

TF assignment Remuneration (Rs/month)

1 Entire FC (cap 100) 66,000
2 One MM course and half FC 66,000
3 Two major/minor courses 66,000
4 Half of a FC (cap 100) 42,000
5 One major/minor course 42,000
Note: Each additional DS (i.e., beyond 3 in one TU or beyond 6 in 2 TU) will be remunerated
@Rs 8000 per month. FCs with enrolment between 90 and 110 will receive an additional
allowance. Remuneration will be Rs. 68,400 for those teaching the entire course, Rs. 43,200
for those teaching half of a FC and Rs. 67,200 for those combining half FC with a MM course.

Course Audit

With the permission of the instructor, a TF may audit one course per semester. On
satisfactory completion, Ashoka will issue a certificate of completion.

Addendum

1. For MM courses with enrolment > 60, additional DS will be assigned based on
enrolment increments of 20. Thus, 4 DSs will be assigned to class size of 61-80, 5
DSs to class size of 81-100 and so on. Compensation for additional DSs is as stated
above.
2. With respect to FCs, the initial contract will be for Rs. 66,000 (for 6 DSs). If the
enrolment is higher than 90 at the end of second week of classes, HR will issue an
addendum revising the compensation (with retrospective effect) to Rs. 68,400. A
similar process will be followed for TFs assigned 3 DSs of an FC.