How to reject a (potential) GA position?

[nehs]

My professor emailed me last night and I asked if I want to be his GA for one of his undergrad courses. I would LOVE LOVE the oppurtunity. He coincidentally also happens to be my thesis advisor. Unfortunately, I just started another job last week which is also something that I love and I cannot take up 2 jobs right now for 2 reasons - (1) I will get overloaded (2) I am an international F-1 student, so there are some regulations to comply interms of hours worked. what do I tell him in the email that I write rejecting his offer?

 

I have already told the professor that I might not have the authorization to work but he still gave me the chance and said I should check with the university's legal office. I'm sure I'm not eligible unless I quit the current job. Also, I don't even want to ask the legal office this question(i know the answer!) but would it be dishonest on my part (since my professor expects me to do so)?

Usually, how many hours a week are graduate assistants expected to work?

[fuzzylogician]

The question is not about expectation but what the job description says. At my school, a TAship is considered to be a full 20-hour a week job for international students regardless of how much time we actually end up working for the position. I'd say you should contact the professor and simply say that you've recently taken on another job and immigration regulations prohibit you from having more than one position. You can say you verified this information without specifying where so there is no need to lie and also no need to contact the international students office with a question that you already know the answer to. Apologize for not being able to take the professor up on his offer and ask for a chance to do this job next year, in case you're interested in that opportunity.

[nehs]

Quick reply thank you!

 

Well, this oppurtunity is possibly for only this semester and it is paid hourly(not a stipend). I always feel bad about rejecting offers, more so since he is my current thesis advisor. You have given me excellent pointers to use for my email.