Student Assistant Program

Announcements:

ATTENTION FEDERAL WORK-STUDY RECIPIENTS! Use your Federal Work-Study to work with a non-profit community based organization! $9.00/hour See Lorali Deming The Cahill Center Room C209 Ext. 7448

Does Ramapo offer students work on campus?

Yes. Every year approximately 750 students work in a variety of positions in over 80 different College programs and offices.

What kinds of positions are available? 

Among the positions offered to students last year were:

Academic Media Services Accounts Receivable Assistant Admissions Tour Guide Advisement Office Assistant Art Gallery Student Curator Athletic Training Assistant Audio/Visual Technician Benefits Assistant Budget Analyst Assistant Clerical Assistant Community Assistant Computer Lab Assistant Dark Room Assistant Graphic Artist Assistant

Human Resource Assistant J. Lee's Attendant Library Assistant Lifeguard Mailroom Assistant Print Shop Assistant Public Relations Assistant Resident Assistant Security Aide Storeroom Assistant Student Center Office Assistant Study Abroad Assistant Tutor Web Aide

Where can I find a job on campus?

All student workers on campus are hired through the Student Assistant Program located in The Governor William T. Cahill Center for Experiential Learning and Career Services, Room C-209.

What employment programs are available?

There are two major student employment programs with different requirements:

a. Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a need-based financial aid award available to United States citizens and permanent resident aliens. Students apply and, if eligible, are awarded work-study that is based on individual financial need. FWS students may then earn up to the award specified by the Financial Aid Office during the academic year.

b. The Student Assistant Program is funded as part of the College's operating budget and is based on institutional guidelines. Students who are United States citizens, permanent resident aliens or on F-1 visas and who are not eligible for Federal Work-Study may complete a Student Assistant Application Form in order to be considered for on-campus employment.

Student aides are hired through program or project-based awards. These positions are generally ability-dependent (skilled), requiring a "fit" between position requirements and student abilities. Ability may refer to specialized knowledge, assignment familiarity, effective communication/interpersonal skills or willingness to comply with specific project and supervisory requirements.

How do I apply for student employment?

Students who feel they might be eligible for Federal Work-Study should file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the March 1st deadline. They will be notified by the Financial Aid Office if eligible for a FWS award and referred to the Student Assistant Program for placement.

Students who are not eligible for Federal Work-Study (students who cannot demonstrate financial need) should fill out employment applications in the Student Assistant Program Office, Room C-209, for a student aide position.

Will I be assigned a position?

No. Student jobs are not assigned by the Student Assistant Program. Students are hired through a referral and interview process in individual College operating units and offices just as they would be for an off-campus position.

How do I get hired?

There are several steps that must be followed to obtain an on-campus position. The Student Assistant Program staff will guide students through the required procedures.

The student must:

a. Complete an application which lists the student's skills, experiences, and academic major.
b. Present required documentation-- Social Security Card, student ID or a photo driver's license, completed W-4 and I-9 forms --before a referral can be made, unless previously employed on campus.
c. Discuss available positions with the Student Assistant Program staff.
d. Take Referral Form to selected unit.
e. Discuss job responsibilities with student supervisor who will (or will not) offer the position.
f. Choose: 1) to accept the position or 2) to reject the position and return to the Student Assistant Program Office for another referral.
g. Repeat the process until a position is accepted.

Is there anything else that I must do before beginning work?

Yes. A student (before beginning work in the selected unit) MUST:

a. Complete the required On-Campus Employment Form.
b. Complete the required On-Campus Employment Agreement.

Both completed forms must be brought back to the Student Assistant Program Office.

Can I request a specific office?

Students may ask to work in a specific College office. While the Student Assistant Program staff will attempt to place students in requested offices, no guarantee can be made to do so as the number of students hired in each office is determined by individual unit budget allocations.

How will I know what my responsibilities are?

A job description is on file in the Student Assistant Program Office for every position on campus. Students may read the job descriptions for any number of employment opportunities. In addition, the Student Assistant Supervisor in each unit is asked to thoroughly describe work responsibilities to the student during the interview process before offering the job to the student applicant.

Can I earn academic credits for my on-campus work experience?

If a student's position is of a pre-professional level, related to his/her academic studies or career goals and at least fifteen hours a week for the full semester, the student may investigate whether Cooperative Education credits may be earned. The Cooperative Education Handbook is available in the Cahill Center in Room C-209 and on the Cahill Center 's web page.

May I change jobs if I don't like mine after a few weeks?

No. When a position is accepted, the student makes a commitment to the hiring unit and supervisor for a full semester. At the end of the semester, a student who wishes to change jobs may visit the Student Assistant Program staff in the Cahill Center in Room C-209 to see if other positions are available on campus.

How many hours may I work each week?

The maximum weekly work limit is fifteen (15) hours when classes are in session; thirty-five (35) during breaks and vacations. Students in units with twenty-four (24) hour coverage (Residence Life, Security) or extensive weekend schedules (Athletics, Berrie Center , Library, Student Center ) may work twenty (20) hours weekly. Students holding two (2) positions (tutoring positions in Center for Academic Success and TAS, CCIS lab assistant positions and Berrie Center/Contemporary Arts combined positions) may also work a total of twenty (20) hours per week maximum.

What happens during vacation?

During breaks, vacations and summer, thirty-five (35) hours per week are the maximum hours which a student can work. These hours are contingent upon the provision for student supervision by the unit and adequate unit student aid allocations.

How much will I be paid per hour?

Students are paid according to a published compensation schedule in which positions are classified in ranges according to the skills and experience needed to perform particular jobs. A student's academic status (cumulative earned credit toward their degree) is also used to make a placement determination. On-campus salaries currently range from $6.25 to $8.00 per hour.

How much can I earn?

Federal Work-Study students may earn up to the amount of their FWS award; however, they are not guaranteed that the full amount of their award will be used. This will depend upon the assigned hours scheduled with their supervisor. For student aides, hours to be worked are determined by the student supervisor and their unit allocations.

How do I keep track of my hours?

Students are expected to maintain records of total hours worked and total earnings. The student supervisor will also be monitoring these earnings. The supervisor will be notified when their student employee is within $250 of their total Federal Work-Study award and the supervisor is required to notify the student when the total is nearing exhaustion.

How do I report the hours that I work?

Students follow unit sign-in and sign-out procedures and record hours worked on College's web-based on-line time reporting system.

What are the salary ranges for on-campus positions?

The following is the compensation schedule for student salaries: 

Steps

Range	1st Year	2nd Year	Junior	Senior
1	$6.25	$6.50	$6.75	$7.00
2	$6.50	$6.75	$7.00	$7.25
3	$6.75	$7.00	$7.25	$7.50
4	$7.25	$7.50	$7.75	$8.00

What taxes will be deducted from my paycheck?

The College is required by law to withhold federal and state income taxes if so dictated by the student's W-4 form. Students are exempt from Social Security taxes (FICA) and Medicare taxes (MQFE) if they are enrolled at least part time (6 or more credits) during the academic semester. This exemption does not apply to students not enrolled in classes during the summer.

When will I get paid?

It generally takes four weeks for students assuming new positions to be paid--two weeks for students to work and submit time and two weeks for payroll preparation. After this period, students will be paid every two weeks as indicated in the published schedule if time worked is submitted properly according to the published schedule. Pay checks are available for pick up from your unit supervisor.

Will I be supervised and evaluated?

Yes. Every on-campus FWS and SA position is supervised by a College administrator, faculty member or staff member. Each student is evaluated by his/her supervisor at the end of the fall and spring semesters.

Will I receive training in my position?

Students are required to complete a training session sponsored by the Student Assistant Program. Additional training may be provided by the hiring unit.

Can I lose my job?

Yes. Students sign Employment Agreements accepting specific employment standards.

Automatic Cancellation:

a. Student does not provide a social security card within eight weeks after applying for a number; proof of application is a requirement for employment
b. Student reaches his/her FWS award limit
c. Unit exhausts its student aid allocation
d. Student is suspended (interim, academic, disciplinary, psychological) or dismissed (academic, disciplinary) from the College
e. Student is unable to obtain permission to continue campus work after disciplinary or "interim" disciplinary suspension
f. Student fails to complete required student training during the appropriate semester

Students may also be dismissed "for cause" from their positions for the following reasons:

a. Misuse of confidential or privileged information
b. Failure to reasonably carry out tasks required for position
c. Failure to perform work in a professional, competent and diligent manner
d. Failure to maintain full-time student status (students on F-1 visas) and full-/part-time status ( U.S. citizens or permanent residents)
e. Found guilty of acts of racial discrimination, sexual harassment, or other serious Conduct Code violations
f. Misuse, misappropriation or theft of College property
g. Falsification of College documents, time reporting, etc.
h. Excessive tardiness
i. Unexcused or excessive absenteeism

A student may request a meeting with the Student Assistant Program Assistant Director if he or she feels that the dismissal is unjust. The Assistant Director will meet with both parties and make a decision which will be final. Students who are dismissed "for cause" will not be placed again until the next semester.  Future employment at Ramapo College will be determined on a case by case basis dependent upon previous history.

What if I'm injured on the job?

Students who are injured on the job should report immediately to Health Services. Security should be called if assistance is needed. Students follow all College procedures for reporting injuries through the immediate filing of appropriate forms available in the Human Resources Office.

What if I am not eligible for Federal Work-Study and do not find a Student Aide position? Are there other opportunities to work on campus?

Yes. Students may wish to apply to the Students-On-Call (SOC) Program. Application is made through the Student Assistant Program. This is a "temporary" student employment service that places students in units on campus on an as needed basis.

Are there other kinds of employment on campus?

Residence Life and Student Center have salary blankets which are used for student workers. Residence Life, for example, employs students as resident assistants, community assistants, mail clerks and clerical workers. Student Center employs students as J. Lee's attendants, Roadrunner Central attendants, Student Center manager, etc. Students are hired directly by these units.

Funding for student employees is occasionally available through faculty and administrators who are awarded grants by the state, federal government, foundations or private corporations. Students apply directly to these programs or supervisors for available positions.

Are there opportunities for FWS students at off-campus placements?

Yes. Federal Work-Study recipients who can provide their own transportation are invited to explore off-campus placements at community service agencies. These positions (up to twenty hours weekly) can be personally enriching while providing exposure to professional contacts which may be beneficial in furthering career goals.

How can a FWS recipient obtain an off-campus position at a community service agency?

Off-campus job opportunities at community service agencies can be arranged through the Federal Work-Study/Community Service coordinator located in the Cahill Center , Room C-209. There is a financial incentive to compensate for the additional costs of transportation to off-campus locations.

What if I have other questions?

For questions concerning on-campus employment and FWS/CS:
Diana Williams, Room C-209, (201) 684-7446.

For questions concerning the Students-On-Call Program and Payroll:
Dianne McNally, Room C-209, (201) 694-7224.

For questions concerning Financial Aid:
Mark Singer, Room E-118, (201) 684-7549.