At University of Florida (UF), most PhD students are 9-month employees getting a stipend from their departments as teaching assistants. (There are research assistantships as well, but this post is mainly about teaching assistants.) In the summer, if a PhD student wants to get additional funding, they need to teach (or TA) for a course. However, UF requires teaching assistants to ENROLL for a class in order to get a teaching job. There are two 6-week summer terms (Summer A and B) and one 12-week summer term (Summer C). PhD students who teach during Summer A or B are required to enroll for 3 credits of courses. Summer C students are required to enroll for 6 credits of courses.

The problem is that although tuition is waived for PhD students who are on teaching assistantships, fees are not. So, it feels as if we are paying UF in order to get paid. This is especially true for the summer terms, because the 3 or 6 credits we enroll for are not even “real” courses (it is “advanced research” or “independent study”).

I am wondering what the basis for this is, and if this is even LEGAL. I do not know other universities which are requiring their PhD students to take a course before they can teach (or TA) for a course. This system feels absurd to me. Any feedback/information is appreciated.