[Plsfaculty] Undergraduate Student Workers

[Donna-Rae Marquez]

Hello All,

 

The Undergraduate Student Workers in your laboratory are employed by the UA
but this program is administered by the UA Financial Aid program not the
Human Resource Office like all other UA employees.   As you know the ERE
rate for Undergraduate Student Workers is quite low (2% this year) this is
due to many factors but one which is quite significant - no funds are
provide for Unemployment Insurance because this is considered a Financial
Aid Program not regular employment.  Thereby, technically a student worker
who is laid off cannot collect unemployment benefits.

 

But, in the last year, we have had 4 Undergraduate Students Workers filed
unemployment claims against the University.   As all of the claims were
denied, an appeal process occurred.  During this process these students
stated that they had been let go unfairly and without notice.  Human
Resources is concerned about this matter because of the "unfair" part of
their claims.  None of these students were just from one lab, if so I would
address this to that faculty member.  The students are from multiple labs.
The issue our office has to deal with is that we were not told in a timely
manner (if at all) that these students had left the lab.  In three cases, it
had been months since the student last worked and that we were informed of
their departure.    So, when I was asked by HR why and under what
circumstances these students left our employment - I couldn't answer because
a complete term report had not been done.

 

Therefore, it is extremely important that when a student worker leaves your
laboratory whether they or you initiate this departure - you must notify Joy
or Laura immediately.   They will need the last date worked, the reason for
the termination/ending of the employment, and any documentation from the
student stating they are leaving.   I must be copied on all of these emails.


 

If a student does not show up for work for what would appear to be a long
period of time without notification of intent not to work - then let us
know, and we will terminate their employment.   If you know that a student
just wants to take a semester off from work, let us know.  We will terminate
their employment at that time, and then re-hire them when they return.   We
cannot have student on the payroll rosters for long periods of time without
working - this is causing too many issues and problems.

 

Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns.  If you do not
directly supervisor the undergraduate students in your laboratory, please
pass this email to that person who does.

 

Thank you,

Donna-Rae

 

Donna-Rae M. Marquez

Manager, Business & Finance

School of Plant Sciences

The University of Arizona 

Forbes 303B

Tucson, Arizona 85721

520.621.8689 Telephone

520.621.7186 FAX

 

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