Graduate Assistantships

Once signed, send this to lisa.pena@csusb.edu along with your current resume.  You must do this every semester you apply to be a GA, whether a new applicant or a rehire. An updated resume is only required for new applicants; resumes for rehires are optional but preferred.

If you have a faculty member (or Center) interested in having you work with them, they will need to complete a “Faculty Request Form”.  Note: When speaking with a faculty member about being their GA, it is helpful to provide them with the Faculty Request Form with your name, phone number, and email address, which you have already completed.

If you have any questions, please email Lisa Peña at lisa.pena@csusb.edu or call her at (909) 537-3400.

Important information:

1. Students must have a social security card before starting as a graduate assistant. Obtaining a social security card can cause a 4-6 week delay in the hiring process and can postpone an assistantship for those unable to obtain one before the first day of classes.
2. CSUSB requires an employee background check for all new faculty, instructors, staff, graduate assistants, teaching assistants, volunteers, etc. The inability to pass the background check immediately terminates the graduate assistant appointment. Background checks are good for one year. From start to finish, this process can take 5-6 weeks; it can take longer for international students due to the social security card requirement (above).
3. New hires must complete a new hire orientation through HR before officially starting as a graduate assistant.
4. Students are not allowed to work more than 20 hours per week; this includes any other employment on campus, including internships.
5. Student evaluations are due at the end of each semester; these are to be completed by the student and approved by the faculty supervisor. Please let me know if you have any questions.

Overview

The Jack H. Brown College of Business and Public Administration values joint research opportunities with faculty and students. As such, each semester the college funds a number of eligible candidates to be graduate and research assistants (GA). At this time, all GAs are hired by Lisa Peña (Lisa.Pena@csusb.edu) located in JB-461. 

How it works:

Every semester an announcement is sent out a few weeks before the NEXT semester to students and faculty along with the deadline date to receive applications and requests for that semester. The typical work period is usually 10 hours per week for 12-15 weeks. Below are dates given as a reference.

• FALL SEMESTER: Start date would be August 26 through December 6
• SPRING SEMESTER: Start date would be January 17 through May 9

NOTE: The technical starting and ending date for each semester would reflect the above. However, the actual starting and ending dates for the students would be close to these dates - covering a 15 week period per semester. The SUMMER session would be different given the dates available for the student to work.

Students should keep in mind when applying & if hired: 

• A student is not permitted to have dual employment on campus that would exceed 20 hours per week.

• A student must obtain a social security card before they can start work as a graduate assistant.

• A student must submit to a background check if he/she accepts a graduate assistant appointment.

• A student must complete all hiring steps (including HR’s new employee orientation) before they can start.

• A student must always conduct themselves in a positive and professional manner.

• A student must be responsible for submitting timesheets and picking up their checks in a timely manner.

• A student must notify the appropriate JHBC GA Coordinator (Lisa Pena) as soon as possible if having to terminate their appointment early due to an appropriate and justifiable reason.

• Students: Interested students must submit a copy of their most recent résumé with their application form before the semester deadline. They are also encouraged to network with faculty to see if they can be matched with a faculty member before they submit their application form – typically, one GA appointment per student will be considered for approval.

• Faculty: Faculty members must also submit a GA request form before the semester deadline—typically, one GA per faculty member will be considered for approval. We encourage faculty to meet with students who approach them for a GA opportunity and to hopefully find a good match to fit their needs. If a faculty member needs a student for more than 10 hours per week for 15 weeks, they must certify through the appropriate administrator via the Graduate Programs Office.

• Graduate Lab Assistants: In addition to the general graduate assistant opportunities, graduate lab assistant positions are available to work in the JHBC Labs each semester; these are paid from a separate fund. Students will need to fill out the same graduate assistant application form. Suppose they’ve already met with Ian Jacobs, the Computer Resources Manager, and have been offered a graduate lab assistant position. In that case, the student must check off the appropriate box on the application form.

Graduate Assistantship Forms for Students and Faculty Members

• Graduate Assistant Application Form  
• New Hire - International Students 
• Faculty Request Form 
• Example Timesheet for Graduate Assistants
• Excel Timesheet template  - download and complete by computer; then print to obtain signature.
• Student Semester Evaluation  - completed by the faculty supervisor at the end of each appointment.

In addition to the forms above, “new and international students” must complete the following information that may pertain to them.

Information For New and Non-US CitizensSocial Security Number Information

• Please contact Elanor Perry from the Center for International Studies & Programs at (909) 537-5193 to validate employment eligibility and obtain the NRA form. 
• Available by appointment only: Contact General Accounting to complete the Employee Action Request form (EAR). The General Accounting is located in SH 110. 

An Offer Letter will be sent with the following information:

If this is your first appointment at CSUSB, you must access HR New Hires Intake Meetings to schedule a time to attend a required new hire intake session—Unit 11—and sign additional documents. This MUST be done before you start working; you are not eligible to work until this has been completed.

This appointment automatically expires at the end of the date stated above and does not establish an obligation for a subsequent appointment; no other notice shall be provided. The terms of this contract are unconditional for the period of this appointment. To move forward with this contingency offer, you must accept it by signing this letter and returning it to Lisa Peña as soon as possible (before you begin working).

The terms and conditions of this appointment are covered by the collective bargaining agreement between CSU and the UAW. For further information, please refer to the following: Labor & Employee Relations (Unit 11)

Please refer to the website regarding the requirements and nature of the California Loyalty Oath of Allegiance.

According to CBA. Article 2.10, you have fourteen (14) days from the date of this written notification to accept the appointment.

Contact Lisa Peña for any additional questions.