Additional Appointment Information - Academic Student Employees (Unit 11)

Teaching assignments are normally made by department chairs, after consultation, in conjunction with department and student needs and the background of the individual.

Teaching Associates (TAs) may be appointed to any timebase up to a maximum of 14.8 units while the student is enrolled in classes. TAs appointed under half-time may be appointed concurrently in another student classification up to a combined total of approximately 20 hours per week. Employees working over their assigned time (Timebase Decimal/Standard Hours) will need approval from the supervisor.

Appointments may be provided for any duration, including multiple academic terms (semesters).  The first term of appointment is not contingent upon budget or enrollment.  If an appointment is for more than one academic term, employment in academic terms after the first term of the appointment may be conditioned upon budget or enrollment.  If an individual received and accepts a non-conditional appointment, and the position offered and accepted is no longer available, the CSU will ensure that the employee: a) is placed in an appointment at the same level of compensation for the academic term(s) stated in the appointment notification, or b) receives the same compensation in lieu of the position for the academic term(s) stated in the appointment notification. (Unit 11 CBA, Article 2.12)

Your salary is payable in six equal monthly installments for each full academic semester employed. If all required documentation is completed and submitted by the 10th of the month to be fully processed prior to the State Controller’s monthly cut-off date for that month, you will receive your first paycheck at the end of September pay period for the fall semester, or at the end of February pay period for the spring semester. Otherwise, you will receive your first paycheck at least three to four weeks later. 

• If this is a Fall only academic semester appointment, your first check will be issued at the end of the September pay period, and your final check will be issued at the end of the February pay period.
• If this is a Spring only academic semester appointment, your first check will be issued at the end of the February pay period, and your final check will be issued at the end of the July pay period.
• If this is an Academic Year appointment, your first check will be issued at the end of the September pay period, and your final check will be issued at the end of the August pay period.  Your check for the February pay period represents your first installment for the spring semester.  You will receive your sixth and final paycheck for the spring semester at the end of the July pay period, and for the fall semester at the end of the August pay period. 

Benefits Eligibility

• Eligibility for standard CSU benefits is based on an appointment of half-time or more for a period exceeding six (6) months.
• Eligibility for Affordable Care Act (ACA) benefits is based on an appointment of at least three-quarter time, being hired to work a minimum of 130 hours per month over the course of the appointment, or working an average of 130 hours or more per month during the measurement period. The ACA guidelines provide for health coverage or FlexCash only.  ACA does not provide dental or vision plan coverage.

Benefits Enrollment Requirements 

• You must enroll within sixty (60) days of your initial appointment date. The effective date of benefits depends on many factors, including your first day of employment, the date you submit enrollment documents, your pay plan, and the pay period.  For further information, please contact the Human Resources Service Center Benefits Unit (Kendall 213), (530) 898-5436 or benefits@csuchico.edu.

Accrual of Sick Leave

• Following completion of one (1) academic qualifying pay period, Teaching Associates in an Academic Year classification shall accrue sick leave with pay pro-rata according to timebase, based on the following formula: (Timebase x 8 hours). Thereafter, for each additional academic qualifying pay period or qualifying pay period, credit for sick leave with pay shall be accrued based on the formula above.  (Unit 11 CBA, Article 20.1)

It is allowable for Graduate Assistants to be appointed in another student classification up to a combined total of 20 hours/week while enrolled in classes. Graduate Assistants may work more than half time during academic breaks. Employees working over their assigned time (Timebase Decimal/Standard Hours) will need approval from the supervisor.

Your salary is payable in five equal monthly installments for each full semester employed.  If all required documentation is completed and submitted by the 10th of the month to be fully processed prior to the State Controller's monthly cut-off date for that month, you will receive your first paycheck at the end of the September pay period for the fall semester, or at the end of the February pay period for the spring semester.  Otherwise, you will receive your first paycheck at least three to four weeks later.

Graduate Assistants cannot be employed by the University for more than a total of 20 hours per week in all positions on campus.  This may include employment on state agency funded research projects that support the student’s graduate educational objectives. Appointments to other student positions are counted in this total.

Appointments may be provided for any duration, including multiple academic terms (semesters).  The first term of appointment is not contingent upon budget or enrollment. If an appointment is for more than one academic term, employment in academic terms after the first term of the appointment may be conditioned upon budget or enrollment.  If an individual receives and accepts a non-conditional appointment and the position offered and accepted is no longer available, the CSU will ensure that the employee: a) is placed in an appointment at the same level of compensation for the academic term(s) stated in the appointment notification, or b) receives the same compensation in lieu of the position for the academic term(s) stated in the appointment notification (Unit 11 CBA, Article 2.12).

• Following completion of one (1) academic qualifying pay period, Graduate Assistants in an Academic Year or monthly classification shall accrue sick leave with pay pro-rata according to timebase, based on the following formula: (Timebase x 8 hours).  Thereafter, for each additional academic qualifying pay period or qualifying pay period, credit for sick leave with pay shall be accrued based on the formula above.  (Unit 11 CBA, Article 20.1)

You will be paid an hourly rate. The number of hours per week will be assigned by your supervisor and will range from a minimum of zero to a maximum of 20 per week while classes are in session.

Instructional Student Assistants cannot be employed by the University for more than a total of 20 hours per week during the academic year. This may include employment on state agency funded research projects that support the student’s graduate educational objectives. Appointment to other positions on campus are counted in this total. Employees must remain academically eligible to continue employment in this classification.

All required documentation must be completed and submitted by the 10th of the month to be fully processed. Timesheets are due to Payroll by 4:30 p.m. on the first day of the following pay period. You will receive your first and subsequent paychecks on the 15th of the month. If the 15th falls on a Saturday, pay will be released on the Friday before. If the 15th is a Sunday, pay will be released on the Monday after. Refer to the Campus Calendar for the Intermittent/Hourly Payday.