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- Student Employment FAQs
Student Employment FAQ
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Why should I work for University Housing vs. other campus employment?
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What are the eligibility requirements for being a student employee?
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I am an international student but I do not have a Social Security number. How do I obtain one?
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I am concerned about working late night shifts and then walking home alone.
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Some of my friends applied for a job and received an offer before I did. Why?
1. I'm having trouble deciding if I want to work.
A: Research shows that students tend to be more successful and get better grades when they hold a part time job during their time on campus. Working helps you to improve your time management and prioritization skills. In addition, many of our entry level positions will lead to promotional opportunities, all of which will enhance your resume and reinforce your academics, rather than detract from your schoolwork.
2. Why should I work for University Housing vs. other campus employment?
A: University Housing is the largest employer of student employees on campus. We employ approximately 1,700 students during the academic year and about 300 over the summer. With such numbers, we attest we have mastered the art of employing students. Students find that our full time staff is in-tune with the concerns of student life, while we are focused on excellence and customer service. We aim for every work experience with us to be a positive one and hopefully full of personal and professional growth and accomplishment.
3. What are the eligibility requirements for being a student employee?
A: Since students employed on campus during the academic year do not pay Social Security and Medicare (FICA) taxes on their earnings, UW-Madison has required minimum eligibility standards that must be met. The criteria for being employed as a student are listed below:
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The purpose at the institution is to be a student and working toward a degree.
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The individual must be enrolled for academic credit at an educational institution (an accredited institution of higher learning granting associates degrees or higher; a technical college; vocational/trade school, or a high school).
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The person must be at least 16 years of age.
Specifically, to be eligible for the exemption from the FICA withholding, a student must additionally meet the following criteria:
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Student hourly employees must be taking at least a minimum of a half time course load at any UW System institution.
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Students enrolled in summer school may still qualify for this exemption as long as their break from classes is less than five (5) weeks and the student is qualified for the exemption on the last day of classes for the preceding semester and is eligible to enroll in classes for next academic year.
Please note: For the 2012-13 school year this exemption is in place August 26, 2012 - May 18, 2013.
4. How many hours will I have to work during the school year?
A: Many students work an average of 7-10 hours per week, although that can vary depending on the position, and your availability. Students are discouraged from working more than 20 hours per week.
5. Do student employees get to move in early?
A: Most Team Members and Custodians are able to move in early on August 26th, 2012. Some employees will have a different move in date and should watch for information that will come from the Assignments Office.
6. How much will I get paid?
A: For fall 2012, many of our entry-level positions (i.e. dining services team member and custodian) pay $8.55/hour with a $.75 differential for shifts that are hard to fill. Some Housing positions have a higher hourly rate due to increased responsibility; those positions tend to require previous experience or advanced skills and would more likely be opportunities for promotion, rather than your first position with Housing.
7. When will I receive my first paycheck?
A: Students are paid once every two weeks. A complete pay schedule and information on direct deposit will be available in the online handbook.
8. What employment related paperwork is required?
A: All newly hired workers will need to bring two forms of identification to fill out the necessary paperwork: an ID that proves your identity, as well as an ID that proves you are eligible to work in the United States.
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Common forms of identity are either a driver's license or campus ID.
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Common forms of eligibility are either a birth certificate or social security card.
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A U.S. passport will satisfy both these requirements.
Please keep in mind that we need to see original documents - we cannot accept photocopies. Additionally, we cannot accept expired documents. These forms can be filled out with the Human Resources staff in Room 34 of Slichter Hall. We are open 7:45am - 4:30pm, Monday - Friday.
Students are also required to have direct deposit.
9. I will be under 18 when I start work. Do I have to do anything different or bring any special documentation?
A: Yes, if you will be under 18 on your start date, you must present a Child Labor Permit when you fill out your paperwork. Child Labor Permits can be obtained from any high school or Job Service Center in Wisconsin. If you live outside of Wisconsin, you must obtain the Child Labor Permit upon your arrival in Madison. The high school closest to campus is West High at 30 Ash Street (corner of Regent and Ash Streets). You can call Madison Metro at 608-266-4466 for assistance in determining bus routes which service this location.
If you need a child labor permit, you should take all of the following items with you when applying for the permit:
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Social Security Card
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Original birth certificate or passport
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Appointment letter from University Housing (available under the 'Employment Information' tab in your online application)
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A letter from your parent or guardian granting permission to work
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$10.00
University Housing will reimburse you for the cost of the Child Labor Permit after the permit has been turned in to Human Resources.
10. I am an international student. Do I have to do anything different or bring any special documentation?
A: As an international student, there are a few additional steps you may need to follow to prove your employment eligibility. International students must bring their Passport, I-94 Departure Record Card, and I-20 or DS-2019 (formerly IAP -66). International students will also need to bring their social security number. If you do not have a social security number, you will need to obtain one from the Social Security Administration Office (see below). You will also need to attend a tax workshop to complete all your necessary tax forms. Information will be provided on the tax workshops when you meet with your Human Resources Representative to complete your paperwork.
11. I am an international student but I do not have a Social Security number. How do I obtain one?
A: In order to obtain a Social Security card you must go to the Social Security Administration Office at 6011 Odana Road on the west side of Madison. You can call the Madison Metro Bus Company at 608-266-4466 for assistance in determining bus routes which service this location. You must bring your Passport, Visa, I-94 Departure Record Card, I-20, a copy of your appointment letter (found under the employment information tab in your online application), and a letter from a designated school official to this workshop in order to receive your social security card. You will not receive your Social Security card on the same day you apply for one, so be sure to ask for a receipt. That receipt will need to be brought into the Human Resources Office until you receive your actual card. More information will be provided to you once you fill out your paperwork with a Human Resources Representative.
12. How does scheduling work?
A: University Housing is supportive that school is your top priority, and so we offer flexible scheduling. During orientation you will work with your supervisor to come up with a work schedule that works well with you and your class schedule. Scheduling tip: Dining Services usually needs more employees who are available to work at lunch. When scheduling your classes, you may want to try and keep lunchtime hours open to give yourself the most options for part-time job opportunities and the choice of shifts throughout the week.
13. I am concerned about working late night shifts and then walking home alone.
A: An advantage of working in University Housing is the close proximity to where you live. Some positions may actually be available in your residence hall or right next door.
When possible, our late night shifts are designed to end in teams. This facilitates groups leaving at the same time. Our employing units also connect students with other students that live in their area or direction.
Additionally, campus has a free service called the "Safe Walk" to accompany students at night while getting around on campus. For more information, visit www2.fpm.wisc.edu/trans/Safe/SafeEscort.htm
14. Why does University Housing want to know my class schedule?
A: Because we schedule work shifts around your classes, it's helpful for our student supervisors to see your class schedule in advance. In addition, we sometimes recruit for specific openings, so by allowing us to see your class schedule, we can contact you when we have shifts that fit best into your schedule. Plus, there's no need to worry about privacy - our student supervisors will only see blocked out times you are in class; they will not see where or what classes you are taking. It is to your advantage to let us view your class schedule!
15. Are Housing jobs approved for Work Study?
A: Yes! All of our jobs are approved for Work Study, except those that are paid via stipend/lump sum. If you use up your Work Study allotment, we will continue to offer you employment. Our jobs do not end when the work study runs out.
16. Some of my friends applied for a job and received an offer before I did. Why?
A: There could be a variety of reasons why you did not receive an automatic job offer:
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Often times our units will sort applicants based on their class schedule. If we have specific shifts that we need filled and we see that you are in class, we likely will not contact you about a job opportunity.
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Priority is given to applicants based on Housing residency and date of application - those who will be living in Housing in the fall and apply the earliest are more likely to be contacted first. If you are not living in the residence halls in the fall, you will be put on our waitlist. Once offers have been placed to all our Housing residents, we will then move to our waitlist and begin generating offers from that. You will be notified of job offers through your wisc.edu email account, so keep checking your email.
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Priority is also given to UW-Madison students. If you will not be attending University Housing in the fall, you will be put on our waitlist. Once offers have been placed to all our UW-Madison students, we will then move to our waitlist and begin generating offers from that. You will be notified of job offers through email, so keep checking your email.
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The particular work unit you selected may already be full. If this is the case you will be put on our waitlist and be considered for positions as openings become available.
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You have left employment with University Housing in poor standing in the past. Please see below for further details.
17. I received an error message stating that I did not leave University Housing in good standing. How can I appeal this so I can be considered for employment?
A: To appeal a past termination, you will need to send an email to hr@housing.wisc.edu. In the email, you must include your name, position title, work unit, date of action taken, reason for the appeal and desired remedy. If the appeal is not timely (within 14 days of termination), you should address the reason for the time delay.
18. I was expecting more variety of jobs to pick from.
A: Our web application only lists positions that are currently open for recruitment. Positions are added and deleted to our web site as needed. We always encourage potential applicants to keep checking the website for new additions.
Also, many students find that as they are acclimating to campus life and their new studies, they want a job that does not add more pressures to them. With advanced qualification requirements come an advanced level of responsibility. It is University Housing's goal for you to be successful both in your employment and in your academics so our entry level positions are designed with your transition in mind.
19. I've already submitted an application but now I see a new job I want to apply for. Can I change my application?
A: Yes. Simply log back in to your online application and click on the "edit" button under "My Applications." You can then navigate through the tabs and update your preferences and your information.
If you have a question that was not answered, feel free to contact us!
University Housing Human Resources
Slichter Hall, Room 34
625 Babcock Drive Madison, WI 53706
608-262-2766
hr@housing.wisc.edu
TTY/TDD 608-262-6830