Graduate Resident Tutors—or GRTs as they are officially known—have been an essential component of MIT's residential system ever since that system was inaugurated in the 1960s. Although they are not tutors in the academic sense, they most assuredly serve as tutors in the broader, more humanistic sense of caring for the welfare of others. Tutors at MIT are graduate students (and often their spouses) to whom the care of undergraduates has been entrusted.

GRTs serve within the residential life system at MIT as members of the House Team. Each residence has its own independent House Team most often led by Housemasters. At least one of the Housemasters is a resident member of the MIT faculty or staff. GRTs also work directly with their House Team's Residential Life Associate (RLA) who acts as a liaison for the Residential Life Program faculty. Typically a GRT is assigned to a particular area within a residence, such as a hall, floor or entry. The purpose of the House Team is to develop and support a residential community, and the GRT plays a primary role in this support.

The job of the Graduate Resident Tutor (GRT) is to foster a supportive, safe, and positive living environment and to build a community atmosphere among undergraduates in MIT residence halls. This responsibility includes encouraging personal growth, providing outlets for managing stress, and facilitating positive interpersonal relationships. GRTs are also responsible for implementing community standards, enhancing security, and promoting mutual respect between and among the residents they serve.

Eligibility and requirements

General requirements for the Graduate Resident Tutor position include evidence of solid judgment, sensitivity, and the ability to work with students, colleagues, and faculty. This position is considered employment, minimum ten hours per week.

All candidates must be available to be on campus and in residence from mid August through Commencement (early June).

To be eligible to apply for a Graduate Resident Tutor position, individuals must be full-time enrolled graduate students registered at MIT, or in a combined program with MIT and another institution. A Bachelor's degree is required to be a GRT.

Students applying must also be registered in a multi-year program and be at a point in their studies where they will likely be staying at MIT for several more years. MIT undergraduates may apply in their senior year but must be admitted to graduate school by mid April prior to accepting a GRT position. Anyone who was an undergraduate at MIT may not serve as a GRT in the same house where s/he lived as an undergraduate unless s/he left MIT for at least three years. Students finishing their undergraduate degree and continuing on in a one-year Masters program are not eligible.

Appointments

GRT appointments are for one academic year commencing mid-August 2010 and ending early June 2011. During that period (and in succeeding years) you will be evaluated and, based on a positive recommendation from your Housemasters, you will be offered re-appointment for another year. You will not be eligible to continue if you cease to be a graduate student at MIT.

An appointment may be terminated at any time if it is determined by the Housemaster of your residence and the Dean's office that you are not fulfilling the responsibilities set forth in the position description and the position contract.

Remuneration

The compensation for a GRT position includes free use of a room/apartment in the assigned residence during the appointment plus a stipend of $730.00 per semester (which is taxable).

Supervision

The Housemasters of the assigned residence are your immediate supervisors. GRTs should consider them to be sources of guidance.

Training

The training programs are an essential and required part of the GRT position. The first GRT trainings occur on August 20 & 23, 2010, and both dates are mandatory for new GRTs. In addition, all GRTs are required to attend at least two evening inservice sessions (out of 3-4 offered) each academic year. Spouses and partners of GRTs are not required but are strongly encouraged to attend trainings and inservies.

International Students

International Students are welcome to apply to be GRTs if the position is compatible with their legal work eligibility. It is a violation of U.S. law for a student who is here on a visa to be employed for more than 20 hours per week. A GRT is employed by MIT for about 10 hours per week. So, a student with a visa who has a research assistantship, teaching assistantship, or any other employment for more than 10 hours per week is not eligible to be a GRT. If you are not certain how this applies to you, please consult with the MIT International Students' Office before applying to be a GRT.

MIT is an affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.