Dear Deans, Chairs, Faculty Advisors, HGAs, and GSAOs,
We write regarding the hiring of first-time GSIs for spring 2027 appointments.
Spring 2027 GSI appointments begin on the first day of the semester, January 12, 2027, not on the first day of classes, January 19, 2027. GSIs are paid as of January 12, 2027 and are expected to start work on that date.
All spring 2027 first-time GSIs must be on campus in person on Friday, January 15, 2027 to attend the required Teaching Conference for First-Time GSIs. This is part of their workload, and GSIs are paid to attend the teaching conference.
Complete the Language Proficiency Questionnaire by October 1
In addition, students who have not met the oral English proficiency requirement for GSI appointments must complete the Language Proficiency Questionnaire by October 1, 2026 to be tested by November 15, 2026. Students must meet the requirement before they may be offered a GSI appointment. Information on key deadlines for language proficiency testing can be found on the GSI Teaching & Resource Center's Language Proficiency webpages.
First-time GSI will be back on campus on January 15, 2027
Before issuing a written notice of appointment, departments are required to confirm that any first-time GSI will be back on campus on January 15, 2027 to attend the GSI teaching conference and, where applicable, will have fulfilled the oral English proficiency requirement.
Please share these policies with your students
Because many graduate students teach in departments other than their home department, we ask you to share this post link with every graduate student in your department and let them know that all departments will be adhering to these policies. Should your department hire undergraduates as GSIs, please share this with all who may potentially apply for GSI positions and inform them that these policies apply to them as well.
Our goal with these policies is to ensure that GSIs are well prepared to teach so that they can provide excellent instruction for Berkeley students.
Thank you for your continued support of our GSIs.
Kind regards,
Lisa García Bedolla
Vice Provost for Graduate Studies and Hitchcock Dean of the Graduate Division
