Reader Grader Application
*** We are accepting WINTER 2011 Reader/Grader applications ***
*** You do have to reapply at the beginning of each quarter ***
Reader/Grader Positions
- Positions Available
- Criteria for Selection
- How to Apply
- Once You’ve Been Hired
- Timesheets
- Information for Reader/Graders
CONTACT PERSON
Ava Schmidt - avcschmi@ucsc.edu - (831) 459-4823 Chemistry & Biochemistry Department – PSB 230
Reader/Graders: grading homework sets and midterm and final exams for undergraduate chemistry & biochemistry courses in a timely manner, including: detailed scoring, record keeping, and communicating regularly with assigned faculty and/or teaching assistant.
1. The student should have taken the class for which they want to grade and have received a grade of B or higher.
2. The student should have a GPA of 3 or higher in their chemistry & biochemistry classes.
3. The student must be in good academic standing.
4. Chemistry majors have priority in the hiring process.
HOW TO IDENTIFY WHICH FACULTY TO CONTACT
While all students are welcome to apply for a Reader/Grader appointment, it is advised that each student first make contact with faculty, as follows.
1. Identify the class(es) for which you are interested and qualified to work. You can check the quarterly class offerings in the Schedule of Classes or the departmental website under Academics/Courses/Curriculum Plan 2011-12
2. Check to see if the grading schedule matches your availability. Faculty will have their exam schedule posted on their syllabi which can be found on the departmental website under Adademics/Courses/Course Websites & Syllabi
1. Contact the individual faculty who are teaching each of the classes of interest to get their approval. Ask them to send an email to Ava Schmidt if they approve the appointment.
2. Download the Chemistry Department Reader/Grader Application or pick one up from the office and fill out the top portion.
3. Drop off your completed application at the Department Office. We are open 9-12 and 1-4 Monday through Friday.
4. Return to the office to pick up your processed application once you have received an email (from avcschmi@ucsc.edu) confirming that your application has been approved. The approval process may be delayed if the office has not received faculty approval.
5. Take your approved application upstairs to PSB 509 (see further instructions below)
ONCE YOU'VE BEEN HIRED: GETTING ON PAYROLL
Take your department approved application to PSB 509.
You will need to complete divisional paperwork (for payroll) and provide identification (either driver's license and social security card OR passport) if you are not already in the payroll system. You may be in the payroll system already if you are currently working on campus or have worked on campus in the last three months.
As you complete the employment paperwork, we strongly suggest you apply for direct deposit of your paycheck. You will receive your money quicker and avoid having to make a special trip to our office to pick up your monthly paycheck. Staff and office hours have been reduced, which impacts our availability to help you. To learn how to access At Your Service click Student Employee Information.
You will no longer use a paper timesheet. With CruzPay, you can access your timesheet on-line at any time and from any computer where you have internet access.
Your pay period is still from the 24th of one month to the 23rd of the next month. It is imperative that you enter your hours by the 23rd – be sure to ‘submit’ your timesheet!
The faculty member(s) for whom you are grading will now be using CruzPay to approve your timesheets online.
First-time CruzPay Users: Account information was sent to your campus e-mail account (i.e. ‘CruzID’@ucsc.edu) from the sender "CruzPay Office" <etas_office@ucsc.edu > on January 18. Please read the communication carefully as it provides user ID and password information, as well as links to helpful information about using CruzPay. As soon as you receive your account information you may log into CruzPay and start using it.
Current and previous CruzPay Users: Individuals who currently use, or have previously used, CruzPay will not receive an account e-mail but will have the appropriate functionality enabled on their existing account. Contact CruzPay Help if you need a password reset (cruzpay_help@ucsc.edu).
Questions? Contact CruzPay Help (cruzpay_help@ucsc.edu).
PAYCHECKS
Paychecks are issued the 8th of each month. Late timesheets may result in a one-month delay of pay.
We are open Monday through Friday 9-12 and 1-4. Paychecks not picked up within five days will be sent back to payroll and must be picked up there.
INFORMATION FOR READER/GRADERS AFTER APPOINTMENT
You will be assigned a certain number of hours per quarter, per grading assignment. It is important that you stay within your allocated hours. Please notify the faculty if you cannot complete your grading with the number of hours allocated to you.
Most Reader/Graders in Chemistry & Biochemistry are appointed to grade exams (mid-terms and finals) at times throughout the quarter that are specific to each class. You will need to stay in contact with the instructor to coordinate these grading sessions. Be sure that the instructor has accurate contact information and please respond to the instructor’s contacts in a timely manner.
There are a few faculty that request to have Reader/Graders appointed to assist with weekly grading of homework and/or quizzes. The next paragraphs provide advice for these weekly appointments.
First, you need to make contact immediately with the professor of the course you are grading for and find out how you will be getting the work from the professor. You should set up a schedule and adhere to it. Homework must be returned on time.
You also need to have a discussion with the instructor about the expectations of grading. Find out if you will be given solutions sets from the professor, the TA, or from a book. It is not your responsibility to do the homework before you can start grading.
Competent record keeping is essential for this job since homework scores are used to determine the students’ grades. Find out what kind of scorekeeping is expected, what kind of comments are helpful, etc. It is important to clarify this before you begin grading.
If you need to have a text and/or solutions manual, come by the Chem Dept Office, PSB 230 9:00am - 12:00pm and 1:00pm - 3:30 pm to check out textbooks. You will need to check out the book(s) for the quarter, and check them back in when you return them at the end of the quarter.
FINALLY:
Your rehire as a reader is contingent upon your supervisor's rating of your performance along with your compliance with department policy (i.e. staying within allotted hours etc.). You will have a better chance of success if the expectations are clearly outlined in the beginning of the quarter and if you perform your job responsibly. In addition, if you are experiencing any difficulties balancing demands with your allotted time or should any conflicts with the professor arise, please come into the Chemistry department office ASAP.