1 Welcome to the Online Orientation for New Graduate Assistants.

1

Welcome to Welcome to the the

Online Online Orientation Orientation

for for New New

Graduate Graduate AssistantsAssistants

Congratulations! Now that you have received a graduate assistantship

and/or tuition scholarship, there are several topics that must be reviewed. In this orientation we will cover the following topics:

The Graduate Assistant Handbook Eligibility Required forms Sexual Harassment Prevention Training Fee Remission Parking Plagiarism

And more!

2

The Graduate The Graduate Assistant Assistant HandbookHandbook

3

The Graduate Assistant Handbook is your primary reference guide if you have

questions regarding your assistantship. Some of the important topics available are:• Types of Graduate Assistantships• Terms and Benefits• Rights and Responsibilities• Sexual Harassment/Non-Discrimination• Grievance Procedures

Please review the handbook and bookmark the following link for your personal use:

Graduate Assistant Handbook

4

Eligibility for Eligibility for Graduate Graduate

AssistantshipAssistantship

5

To be eligible for graduate assistantship:

You must be fully admitted to a graduate degree program.

You must be enrolled as a full-time student during each semester you are working as a graduate assistant.

9 + credits in Fall/Spring semester

6 + credits in combined Summer sessions

Maintain a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA and progressing towards degree completion.

Maximum works hours on campus may not exceed 20 per week.

6

Eligibility Requirements, continued

You are required to perform your graduate assistantship duties satisfactorily.

Maintain the standards of academic conduct.

Honor the terms of your contract agreement.

Teaching Assistants must meet oral proficiency requirements: International students must provide an acceptable TSE or equivalent score, and Domestic students must be assessed by departmental procedures.

7

Required I-9 Form Required I-9 Form for the Graduate for the Graduate

SchoolSchoolThe Polsky Building, Room 469

Akron, Ohio 44324-2101330-972-5858

8

Required I-9 Form for the Graduate School:

Graduate Assistants are required to complete the I-9 Form for the Graduate School.

Graduate Fellowships are not required to complete the I-9 Form for the Graduate School.

Please be advised that you will not be paid until the Graduate School has received the I-9 form.

If you have worked for UA Student Employment, you are still required to submit the I-9 form to the Graduate School. Do not send the I-9 form to the Payroll Office.

9

The I-9 Form

10

Required Forms for Required Forms for the Payroll Officethe Payroll Office

Location: Administrative Services Building (ASB) Room 112

185 East Mill Street, Akron, Ohio 44325 Mailing address:

302 Buchtel Common, Akron, Ohio 44325-6210330-972-7205

11

The Payroll Office requires the following forms:

1. W-4 Form 2. Direct Deposit Form 3. Form SSA-19454. SERS Exemption Form or

SERS Membership Record Form

Please review the Student New Hire Instruction Sheet

Please complete the Payroll Self-Service Tutorial

12

Retirement Plan

• As a State of Ohio institution, we do not pay Social Security; instead, we contribute to a state retirement system.

• As a student employee, you must choose whether or not you will participate in the School Employees Retirement System (SERS).

• Your contribution is 10% of your earnings and the University will supplement this with a contribution equal to 14%.

13

SERS Membership or Exemption

• You must complete either the Exemption or the Membership Record form and submit it to the Payroll Office.

• If you choose to complete the Membership Record, state law makes parents possible beneficiaries; therefore, your parent’s birth dates are required (note deceased if applicable).

Visit the SERS website for more information.

14

STRS Information for Teaching Assistants

• If you are an active member in State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio (STRS) and you are not on a leave of absence from a teaching position covered by STRS Ohio, you may apply for exemption from contributions to STRS Ohio. STRS Ohio Exemption form for Student Employees

• If you are an active member in State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio (STRS) and on a leave of absence from a teaching position covered by STRS Ohio, or wish to contribute to STRS Ohio, you must complete a New Hire Notification for College and University Employees form. STRS Ohio New Hire Notification

15

All Payroll forms must be submitted to the Payroll Office:

Location Administrative Services Building (ASB) Room 112

185 East Mill Street, Akron, Ohio 44325

Mailing address 302 Buchtel Common, Akron, Ohio 44325-6210

330-972-7205

• Any questions involving payroll forms or the bi-weekly payroll schedule can be found on the Payroll Office website.

16

Sexual Harassment & Sexual Harassment & Other Forms of Other Forms of Discrimination Discrimination

Prevention TrainingPrevention Training

17

Sexual Harassment & Other Forms of Discrimination Prevention Training

• "Sexual Harassment & Other Forms of Discrimination Prevention Training" is mandatory requirement for all UA employees and Graduate Assistants, to be completed in the first semester of appointment.

• This training discusses topics relating to sexual harassment and other forms of discrimination. Discussion will include relevant federal and state laws, as well as UA rules and policies. Important contact information is also provided.

• Email [email protected] and provide your UANet ID to be enrolled in the online course.

18

Fee Remission Fee Remission

19

The University of Akron Fee Remission Policy for Graduate AssistantsThe University of Akron shall provide a scholarship

during each semester or summer session of award period for:

graduate instructional fees non-resident surcharge general fee and partial payment of parking permit for student campus lots

Scholarships are not provided for:

Graduate Scholarships will not be awarded, nor will any fee remission be applied, after the 14th day of any semester or session.

20

PlagiarismPlagiarism

21

The University of Akron’s Policy on Plagiarism

• Academic honesty is fundamental to the activities and principles of any university. All members of an academic community must be confident that each person's work has been responsible and honorably acquired, developed and presented. The assumption that your work is a fair representation of your actual ability, knowledge and skills form the basis of institutional quality and the quality of its graduates.

• For more information please view The University of Akron's policy on Plagiarism and Academic Integrity.

22

The UA Institutional The UA Institutional Review BoardReview Board

23

Institutional Review Board All students and faculty engaged in research are subject to the oversight and guidelines of the University’s Institutional Review Board (IRB) • The IRB is a part of the

Office of Research Services & Sponsored Programs.

• All individuals conducting research involving human subjects must be certified. All researchers must take and pass the core modules in the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI) curriculum.

• A CITI Tutorial is available for Researchers Submitting a Protocol to the IRB and for Students taking the CITI Training to satisfy course requirements. After completing the tutorials, researches must complete the CITI course online.

• Guidelines and samples for obtaining informed consent, as well as ethical principles and Federal laws are also available online.

24

ParkingParking

25

Parking Reimbursement

Your graduate assistantship entitles you to partial payment of a parking permit. You must request your Graduate Assistant Parking Permit online:

1. Log into MyAkron2. Access “Parking”3. Select “Graduate Assistant” and request permit.

Your department will be sent an approval notice. Once they have approved the payment, your student account will be credited.

Questions regarding parking should be directed to the Parking Office: 330-972-7213 or [email protected].

26

General University General University Information and Information and

ServicesServices

27

Useful Links for General University Information and Services:

28

Thank you for Thank you for completing the Online completing the Online

Orientation for Orientation for New Graduate New Graduate

Assistants! Assistants! If you have additional questions regarding your assistantship,

please contact Graduate School Financial Aid:330-972-5858

29