The Ohio State University

STUDENT EMPLOYEE APPOINTMENT AND SALARY GUIDELINES

The Student Appointment and Salary Guidelines were designed to assist managers with the hiring process for student employees. The guidelines include information regarding student titles, classification/specifications and proposed pay rates. Many of the student titles have been combined with other similar titles and/or eliminated in an effort to make the hiring process more consistent and streamlined across the university. The student classification specifications serve as a description of general responsibilities. Hiring managers should complete a specific job description for each position based on their operational needs.

Student employees are defined as individuals who are enrolled at the university on a full-time or part-time basis, and who are associated with the university primarily in the pursuit of an academic degree, as defined in Student Employment Policy 10.10. Student employment is considered temporary due to the nature of the work, hours worked, rate of pay and benefit eligibility.

Student employee positions are intended to supplement operational needs, and not to replace regular employees. When appointing a student to a new position, it is important that they are not performing the same duties as a regular employee. While some duties may overlap, such as customer service or clerical duties, the majority of duties should be separate and distinct. Therefore, these duties should not be compensated at the same and/or higher rate of pay as that of a regular employee. As distinguished from regular staff positions, student positions typically have less complex responsibilities, require fewer skills, less knowledge, experience and training.

Salary Guidelines and Exceptions | New/Revised Student Titles | Student Salary Grade Table

Salary Guidelines and Exceptions

The rate of pay for a student position should be determined by reviewing the following factors:

• Prior related work experience
• History of work experience in the department
• Range and complexity of duties
• Knowledge and skill requirements
• Courses completed toward related degree
• Equity, including the salary relationships with other student employees in the unit

A student’s rate of pay should not be based on the number of hours worked or the funding availability.

Employing units may request an exception to the student employee pay range when it is necessary to pay higher than the maximum of the pay range. Requests should be made in writing to The Office of Human Resources, Consulting Services. The request should include a letter justifying why the student employee should be paid more than the maximum of the pay range along with their resume and other supporting documentation. Typical reasons for requesting an exception include:

• web design and programming (not including use of basic computer software)
• graduate level research duties
• specialized skills/knowledge essential for the job, i.e. fluent in speaking and writing in a foreign language or a required certification

The appropriate consultant will review the salary exception request and communicate the final decision to the employing unit. Exceptions must be approved prior to offering the salary to the student employee.

The following are both the new and revised student titles.

• Student Assistant
• Student Assistant-Non OSU
• Student Associate
• Student Flight Assistant
• Student Guest Service Assistant
• Student Intern
• Student Medical Technician
• Student Performing Artist

Student Salary Grade Table

Effective January 1, 2009

For additional information regarding student employment, please refer to the Policy 10.10 - Student Employment. The Office of Human Resources (OHR) can also provide additional assistance to you. For questions, please contact Consulting Services or Compensation.