COVID-19 guidance for student workers and federal work-study participants
Dear VCU student workers and federal work-study participants on the Monroe Park and Health Sciences campuses,
Thank you for your cooperation and patience as the university continues development of our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Given the recent measures taken by VCU relative to COVID-19, with your safety and well-being in mind, we are providing the following direction regarding your student work employment. Please read the entire email for guidance specific to your situation.
Federal work-study and student worker assignments requiring a physical presence on campus terminate effective today, March 17, 2020. If students are authorized toreturn to campus when VCU resumes normal operations, these assignments will resume.
Compensation:
- Students who are part of the federal work-study program will be paid up to the amount of their award on the normal semi-monthly pay schedule.
- Student workers (non-federal work-study) will have their payments continued for at least the next 30 days unless return to campus occurs before April 15 and they return to work. University leadership will issue additional guidance once a decision about student presence on campus is made.
- Payment will be a calculated weekly rate based upon scheduled hours, as reflected in past earnings between January 13 and March 6. Payment will continue on a semi-monthly basis and will be calculated by Payroll Services.
- Some students whose work is or can be performed remotely, such as student tutors or help desk support, will be asked to continue working and will be provided with premium pay (1.5 times your regular hourly rate). Supervisors will reach out to you if your work falls into this category.
FAQ:
- Will I get paid for the week of March 16 that is now part of the extended spring break?
- Yes. Your pay amount will be determined based on your average weekly earnings prior to spring break.
- Yes. Your pay amount will be determined based on your average weekly earnings prior to spring break.
- I live in the Richmond area. Should I continue coming onto campus for my student worker position?
- No. Students should not return to campus for student worker assignments. Supervisors will reach out to you if you are requested to work remotely.
- No. Students should not return to campus for student worker assignments. Supervisors will reach out to you if you are requested to work remotely.
- How do I confirm if I should work remotely?
- Supervisors will reach out to you if you should work remotely.
- Supervisors will reach out to you if you should work remotely.
- My student work assignment is with an off-campus organization. Should I continue working?
- No. Even though this organization remains open for business, students must discontinue working.
- No. Even though this organization remains open for business, students must discontinue working.
- I worked during the original Spring Break week. Will I get paid?
- Yes. You will be paid for hours worked during the week of March 9-13.
- Yes. You will be paid for hours worked during the week of March 9-13.
- I am a graduate student, should I continue to come to campus?
- Refer to the communications sent on Friday, March 13 from the Dean of the Graduate School.
- Refer to the communications sent on Friday, March 13 from the Dean of the Graduate School.
- I am working on a critical research project. May I continue working on-site?
- Vice presidents may approve exceptions for students working on-site to support critical research. Your supervisor will reach out to you if your position is approved as an exception.
We appreciate your support and partnership as the COVID-19 situation evolves. Thank you for your many contributions to the university during your employment. Please continue to take care of yourselves and each other. If you have any questions, please email COVID-19@vcu.edu.
All my best,
Cathleen C. Burke
Assistant Vice President for Human Resources
Virginia Commonwealth University