1 Welcome to the Online Orientation for New Graduate Assistants

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 Assistant Handbook The Graduate Assistant Handbook 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 Graduate Assistantship 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 for the Graduate School The Polsky Building, Room 469 Akron, Ohio

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 The purpose of the I-9 form is to document that both citizens and non-citizens are authorized to work in the United States. It is required by the Department of Homeland Security and must be completed by ALL graduate assistants.I-9 form Read the I-9 Fact Sheet.I-9 Fact Sheet What it is The most commonly accepted identification is a passport or driver’s license and social security card. Review the List of Acceptable Documents on the I-9 form.I-9 form Required Identification You must complete Section 1 of the I-9 form.I-9 form Present your original identification documents to a university employee or a notary public. He or she will examine and record the original documents in Section 2 and provide a signature in the Certification section. When this is completed, it should be sent to: The Graduate School, Polsky 469, Akron, Ohio How to Complete the Form 10

Required Forms for the Payroll Office Location: Administrative Services Building (ASB) Room East Mill Street, Akron, Ohio Mailing address: 302 Buchtel Common, Akron, Ohio

The Payroll Office requires the following forms: 1.W-4 FormW-4 Form 2.Direct Deposit FormDirect Deposit Form 3.Form SSA-1945Form SSA SERS Exemption Form or SERS Membership Record FormSERS Exemption FormSERS Membership Record Form  Please review the Student New Hire Instruction SheetStudent New Hire Instruction Sheet  Please complete the Payroll Self-Service TutorialPayroll 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.ExemptionMembership 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.SERS website 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 East Mill Street, Akron, Ohio Mailing address 302 Buchtel Common, Akron, Ohio Any questions involving payroll forms or the bi-weekly payroll schedule can be found on the Payroll Office website.Payroll Office 16

Sexual Harassment & Other Forms of Discrimination Prevention 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. and provide your UANet ID to be enrolled in the online 18

Fee Remission 19

The University of Akron Fee Remission Policy for Graduate Assistants The 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 audit or undergraduate courses administrative fees facilities fees technology fees drop/add fees library fees additional cost of professional fess for joint graduate/law students professional fees for any student that is not admitted to a joint/law program miscellaneous fees late registration fees tuition/fees at any other institution.

Plagiarism 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. Plagiarism and Academic Integrity. 22

The UA Institutional Review 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)Institutional Review Board The IRB is a part of the Office of Research Services & Sponsored Programs.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. Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative 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.CITI TutorialCITI course online Guidelines and samples for obtaining informed consent, as well as ethical principles and Federal laws are also available online. 24

Parking 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 MyAkronMyAkron 2.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: or 26

General University Information and Services 27

Useful Links for General University Information and Services: Campus Map Campus Shuttle Career Center Counseling Center Clinic for Individual & Family Counseling Clinic for Individual & Family Counseling Library Services Parking Services Off-Campus Services Schedule of Classes Registrar Student Health Services UA Athletics UA Bookstore UANet Support Wiki Zip Card Information 28

Thank you for completing the Online Orientation for New Graduate Assistants! If you have additional questions regarding your assistantship, please contact Graduate School Financial Aid: