Student Support For Your IntroSem
Overview
IntroSem instructors may request student assistance with course preparations and implementation from the IntroSems program. The program offers two types of undergrad student support: Learning Experience and Technology Support or IntroSem Course Support.
Teaching Assistants (TAs) are not permitted in IntroSem classes as the key pedagogic mission of the program is for first- and second-year students to have the opportunity to work with faculty directly where the instructor does all instruction and student evaluation.
The differences between the allowable forms of IntroSem student support are provided below along with the link to the required request form.
Instructors must submit their request for an IntroSem Course Support student to the program before offering or promising the job to a student.
Autumn seminar requests will be accepted until September 1. Requests for Winter seminars are due by December 1 while requests for Spring are due by March 9. If your seminar is later in the year, please hold off on submitting your request until closer to the request deadline for your quarter.
*Please note, for Winter seminars, students are NOT allowed to work during the Winter Closure, December 20, 2025-January 4, 2026. Absolutely no work may be done during this time, including emails or Zoom/remote work. Please plan accordingly.
Instructors may request a Learning Experience and Technology Support student at any time.
Learning Experience and Technology Support
Learning Experience and Technology Support students are current Stanford undergrad employees of IntroSems specially trained in Canvas design, classroom and academic technology, inclusive teaching practices, and IntroSems' program resources, policies, and processes who can also help implement course enhancements such as coordinating mentor meals, planning field trips, and arranging guest speakers. A Learning Experience and Technology Support student should not be grading, evaluating student work, or taking the place of an absent instructor.
While all Learning Experience and Technology Support students have taken at least one IntroSem and offer valuable student perspective, each brings a unique skill set which you can read about here. Learning Experience and Technology Support students are trained and supervised by the IntroSems program’s Academic Technology Specialist, Hollie Collins. You may request a Learning Experience and Technology Support student at any point before or during your quarter of instruction.
IntroSem Course Support
An IntroSem Course Support student is a current Stanford student requested by an IntroSem instructor when specific course content knowledge is necessary for the seminar in addition to help implementing course enhancements like a mentoring meal, field trip, and/or guest speakers. An IntroSem Course Support student should not be grading, evaluating student work, or taking the place of an absent instructor.
Because the number of IntroSem Course Support positions are limited each quarter, approval from the program is required at least 30 days in advance. Instructors must submit their IntroSem Course Support request to the program before offering or promising the job to a student. If approved, IntroSem Course Support students are hired by the IntroSems program and are required to attend a program orientation. They are assigned a Learning Experience and Technology Support mentor who is available to answer questions, but the IntroSem Course Support student is supervised by the instructor.
Requests will be considered on a rolling basis up until the deadline until all positions are filled.
IntroSem Course Support Logistics
- Current undergraduate students only
- One IntroSem Course Support student per seminar
- Paid hourly ($18.50/hr) up to 10 hours/week for 110 hours total
- One-time payment not available
- Cannot be paid retroactively; hire must be approved and processed by the IntroSems program BEFORE any work is assigned
- Must be enrolled in classes during the dates of employment. A student on a Leave of Absence is not eligible.
- Must live on or near campus during dates of employment
- May not be enrolled as a student in the IntroSems course in which they are the IntroSem Course Support.