Unit Peer Learning Assistants
OSSA & Unit PLAs: Within the Office for Student Success and Achievement, we recommend all peers assisting in classroom instruction be called peer learning assistants in keeping with the term used by the Active Learning Initiative and the OSSA. Instructors interested in applying for PLAs in their classroom may apply directly to the Office for Student Success and Achievement’s PLA program. Alternatively, they may register with the OSSA to have Unit-PLAs. Both OSSA and Unit-PLAs will have similar roles, but the Unit-PLAs will operate independently in certain aspects (details below). If a peer learning assistant is hired directly through OSSA, they will be called OSSA PLAs, while those hired by a unit will be referred to as Unit PLAs. If a unit is interested in having a unit-based peer learning assistants program funded through the Office of Instruction, this program will need to register through OSSA here).
OSSA PLAs |
Unit PLAs |
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Funding |
The Office of Active Learning funds the OSSA PLA Program |
The Units can either fund their program or apply for Teaching Enhancement Funds through the Office of Instruction |
Requirements |
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Responsibilities |
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Recruitment, Hiring, and Pay |
The OSSA is responsible for recruiting, hiring, and paying all OSSA PLAs (instructors have a say in the selection process). |
The Unit will recruit, hire, and pay all Unit PLAs. OSSA can assist with recruiting Unit-PLAs by hosting a link on its website to all Unit-PLA programming. |
Hourly Rate |
OSSA pays PLAs at least $11.00 per hour, and PLAs can work five to seven hours a week. |
Unit PLA programs registered with OSSA must offer PLAs an hourly rate of at least $11.00 an hour. |
Training |
The first semester a student serves as a PLA, they are required to take a one-credit course titled UNIV 1204, “Preparing for Peer Learning.” |
PLAs will be trained through OSSA’s UNIV 1204 course. |
Mentorship |
In addition to training, OSSA requires instructors to meet with their PLAs at least once a week. To learn more about how to best mentor and utilize PLAs in the classroom, CTL offers programming for PLA faculty. |
In addition to training, Unit PLA instructors should meet with their PLAs at least once weekly. To learn more about how to best mentor and utilize PLAs in the classroom, Unit PLAs are welcome to attend the CTL programming for PLA faculty. |
Oversight |
The OSSA PLA team directly monitors the OSSA PLA program. |
Unit PLAs will be offered funding through Teaching Enhancement Funds in future years based on, among other things, compliance with these standards. |