SUBJECT: EMPLOYMENT OF STUDENT RESEARCH ASSISTANTS

APPLICABILITY: ALL UNT EMPLOYEES

1. Purpose: To provide a systematic method for hiring graduate and undergraduate student research assistants and further our Affirmative Action Policy of non-discrimination as an Equal Opportunity Employer; and to insure that the employment of student research assistants complies with federal and state employment laws and regulations, and the regulations of the University.

2. Student Research Assistants: Graduate and Undergraduate Student Research Assistants are students who, in the course of their academic training, are employed in part-time research positions, where the student's academic training is based in part on the research performed or where the research duties being performed will assist the student in fulfilling his or her degree requirements. All duties and services of Student Research Assistants are to be carried out under the supervision and direction of departmental faculty or directors of research centers.

3. Selection and Appointment: Selection of Student Research Assistants must conform with the University's Affirmative Action goals. Announcement of the availability of all Research Assistantships will be made by the research director. Insofar as possible, the number, type, curricular area and associated pay rate should be announced. Copies of the announcement must be made available upon request to any interested persons.

Each department or unit using Student Research Assistants will make every effort to assure adequate representation by minorities in its recruiting, selection, and appointment procedures. Since the availability of minorities and women for appointment is controlled by their representation in the student body, departments and units using Student Research Assistants will need to pursue an aggressive recruiting program designed to increase the admission of minority and women undergraduate and graduate students.

After appropriate departmental or research center review of the applications received, formal offers of appointment should be made to selected applicants. The department must maintain records of its selection process, including names of all applicants, for a period of three years following the date of selection.

4. Qualifications: Student Research Assistants must be currently enrolled as a student as a condition of employment. Research Assistants must be in good standing and making satisfactory progress toward their degree. Failure to meet the enrollment requirements as set forth above will be grounds for withdrawal of a student's service appointment and termination of employment status in this title.

5. Terms of Appointment: Appointment of Graduate Student Research Assistants may be on an hourly or salaried basis. Undergraduate Student Research Assistants must be appointed on an hourly basis.

a. Hourly appointments are made to pay individuals on an hourly basis for periods of short duration and/or variable work schedules for only the actual number of hours worked. Hourly appointments are non-exempt under the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Undergraduates may work as much as 20 hours or more per week on an hourly basis. Graduate students may work a maximum of 19 hours per week on an hourly basis.

b. Salaried appointments (open to graduate students only) are made to pay individuals a monthly salary for a fixed weekly work schedule. Salaried appointments must be made on the basis of percent time employment of a 40 hour work week. Salaried appointments of Graduate Student Research Assistants are exempt under the overtime provisions of the FLSA.

6. Reappointment: Departments and research centers shall consider reappointment of Student Research Assistants in accordance with the research needs of the department and the availability of budgetary or other financial support.

A Student Research Assistant may be considered for reappointment if he or she:

a. has provided satisfactory prior service and,
b. is in good academic standing and making satisfactory progress toward a degree, as defined in the graduate or undergraduate catalog.

7. Duties of Student Research Assistants: The principal duty of a Student Research Assistant is to contribute under supervision to a program of departmental or interdepartmental research. The appointment is made with the understanding that the required services will contribute to the professional training of the student. POSITIONS NOT DIRECTLY RELATED TO RESEARCH, I.E., CLERICAL, CUSTODIAL, ETC., MUST CONFORM TO PERSONNEL POLICY 1.3.5, GENERAL HOURLY STUDENT EMPLOYMENT.

Student Research Assistants shall engage in research as assistant to members of the faculty of the University. Appointment to one of these positions is usually made only in the student's own department or in another unit of the University where the research to be undertaken is related to the student's field of study.

8. Time Reporting Accountability: Students paid hourly must record the hours actually worked on the Hourly Employee Time Card Form (UPO-23). These forms must be kept on file at the department for audit for a period of five (5) years. Graduate Student Research Assistants paid on a salaried basis must work the prescribed schedule established by the department number of hours based on the percent of time of the appointment. Time off because of illness or during academic breaks will be arranged with the approval of the student's supervising professor or project director.

9. Responsibilities and Benefits Eligibility: Student Research Assistants are subject to the rules and regulations of the Board of Regents, the University, and the department in which they hold employment. Student Research Assistant appointments do not provide for accrued vacation/sick leave entitlements or Teacher Retirement System membership. Only salaried Graduate Student Research Assistants employed 50% or more for periods of at least 4.5 months duration are eligible for University group insurance coverage. Student Research Assistants are covered under Workers' Compensation insurance.

10. Dismissal and Termination of Appointment and Procedures for Complaints/Grievances: Student Research Assistants, are employed at the will of the department and may be terminated at any time for any reason provided the reason is not illegal such as discrimination. Termination of a Student Research Assistant will be subject to the Complaint and Grievance Policy, 1.7.2, Volume 1 of the Policy Manual.

11. Employment of Student Research Assistants in the Summer Sessions: Unless specifically required to be enrolled as a condition of the grant, students enrolled and employed in a Spring semester may continue employment through the Summer session whether or not they are enrolled.