WORKSTUDY POLICIES

WORKSTUDY
Students are eligible to apply for workstudy positions in costuming, scenery, box office, script library, choral library, and recruiting (*note- typically box office positions are awarded to non-departmental students due to time conflicts).  Applications for positions should be submitted one week prior to the beginning of the semester.  Workers will be selected on the basis of skills, experience, reliability, and initiative.  These positions are campus jobs and will be considered as such in terms of renewal and department recommendation.  Any student who meets the requirements for employment will be considered.  Payment for such jobs is handled through the Melissa Larson in Human Resources.  Any student who receives financial aid will be working for the Performing Arts Department under the work study program.

If a student qualifies for employment but receives no form of financial aid, they will be paid on a payroll basis, when available.  Those working under the payroll system may seldom work more than 5 hours per week, according to university guidelines.  If an individual has a work-study position, s/he is not eligible for a payroll position as well.  The university deems this an “over award” and will not allow it.

HOURS

  • Be punctual.
  • Clock in immediately upon reporting to work.
  • Work when scheduled.
  • Anticipated absences should be reported to the Designer and Technical Director in advance.  All absences must be made up during the week in which they occur.
  • Do not schedule any work period of less than 1/2 hour.
  • Be sure to clock out when dismissed.  Have the TD initial your time card or record sheet at the end of each work period.  Notify a supervisor of the status of your assignment before leaving the shop.
  • Store your time card in the appropriate place.  Your time card is your responsibility.  Do not remove your record sheet from the shop.
  • Check callboards daily.

If you do not follow the above guidelines, there will be repercussions. The first no-call, no-show will result in a verbal warning. The second no-call, no-show will result in a written warning filed with Human Resources. The third no-call, no-show will result in termination.

Payroll and Work-study Assistants holding Production Positions
In many cases, a student who has been granted a production position is also a work-study or payroll assistant.  In order to facilitate the method in which work-study hours, payroll hours, and production position hours are calculated, please study the following explanations:

  1. A student assistant holding a production position must also complete all work-study hours.  The hours required for a production position are separate from the hours required for a University work-study or payroll position.  Students are not allowed to delay or postpone work-study obligations in order to fulfill production position(s).
  2. Student work-study and payroll timecards are valid only if signed (initialed) by the Staff and/or Faculty member supervising the area.  Timecards will not be accepted for payment initialed by student supervisors.

It is very likely that the student will find it necessary to work above and beyond the requirements of both work-study and production class hours to successfully complete a production position.  As stipulated earlier, the faculty/staff supervisor makes the final determination regarding the completion of quality work.

SCENE SHOP GUIDELINES

General:

  • Arrive prepared to work.  Report to Technical Director/Assistant Technical Director for an assignment.  DO NOT stand around waiting to be noticed.
  • Dress appropriately:
    • Wear grubbies.  Shop activities damage clothes.
    • Avoid loose-fitting clothing which may become entangled in equipment.
    • Avoid hazardous jewelry.  Cautious technicians remove all hand jewelry.
    • Tie back long hair.  It can become entangled in machinery
    • Wear hard-soled, hard-toed shoes.  Do not wear sandals or sneakers.
  • Leave personal items such as coats and books in the house, Green Room, or locker.
  • Do not begin a project until you thoroughly understand all instructions, then follow those instructions carefully.  If you are not sure, ASK.
  • Do not remove any tools, materials or equipment from the stage area without permission.  Check pockets for pencils, hardware, and tape rules before leaving.
  • Clean all tools and work areas before clocking out.  Participate immediately in shop and stage clean-up when instructed to do so.
  • Absolutely no smoking in the Scene Shop.  Beverage containers are not permitted on the power saws, on stage, or in the house.  Place empty beverage and food containers in the appropriate receptacles.
  • Be safe and courteous.
  • All supervisors will be asked to evaluate you according to attitude, contribution, dependability, and quality of work.  Keep these criteria in mind during all work periods.
  • Once in a while, during slow or down time, class projects may be worked on in the shop area.  However, be certain to check with the Technical Director before using any equipment or materials.

Tools and Equipment:

  • Use the correct tool for the job.  If you are not sure, ASK.
  • When an assignment is completed, return all tools to their proper storage area, clean and in good condition.  Clean up the work area.
  • Report broken or dull blades, bits, belts, bulbs, or equipment malfunction to your supervisor.
  • After painting, clean all brushes, rollers, sprayers, sponges, cans, buckets and other equipment and return them to the proper storage area.
  • Do not abuse tools.  Use tools for their intended functions only.
  • Do not stand directly behind or in front of any piece of power equipment while it is in operation.  Be particularly cautious of the radial-arm and table saws.
  • Do not reach across any piece of operating machinery.
  • Wear safety equipment while operating all power machinery.
  • Do not operate any equipment unless you are familiar with its proper operation.  If unsure, ASK.
  • Never attempt a two or three person job alone.  Ask for assistance.
  • Operate flying equipment only when instructed to do so.
  • Use proper warnings when operating fly equipment to notify those onstage.
  • Clear the area below the loading platform before loading or unloading arbors.
  • Do not carry loose items to the grid.
  • When reweighting in the grid, wear a harness. This is NOT an option.
  • Wear hard hats and dust protectors when instructed to do so.
  • Learn to react immediately to the warning “HEADS”.  This warning indicates danger from overhead.  Move out of the way immediately when someone shouts “HEADS”.
  • Do not spray paint in an unventilated area.  Use paper to protect floors, walls, and driveways from spray paint.

Materials:

  • Check with your supervisor before using any construction materials and paint.
  • Always use partial pieces, opened paint, and used hardware before cutting, opening or installing new ones.
  • Return all unused materials to their proper storage places.  Close or cover paint cans.
  • Dispose of all scraps promptly.