SHIFTS
Overview
The Co-op hires limited full-time staff to facilitate the day-to-day operation of the organization. Every resident is responsible for performing one four-hour chore shift per week and one special four-hour project per quarter (known as Quarter Project Hours). The types of chore shifts available include: maintenance, kitchen, office, clean-up, mail sorting, gardening, computer room, social events, and assorted special projects. As with your room selection and different aspects of the organization, Co-op residents have a say as to which chore shift they would like to become involved in. All chore shifts are arranged so that they do not conflict with classes or outside employment and members are welcome to reschedule as they see fit. With each student performing a four-hour weekly chore shift, the Co-op is able to keep costs low and provide the best value in housing near campus.
Chore shifts
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All those living in the co-op are required to do a chore obligation. Those new are usually scheduled in the kitchen, facilities (i.e. clean up & maintenance) or the security crew. As the kitchen is the largest recruiter of labor and is central to the Co-operative experience, members are encouraged to get acquainted with all aspects of the department. At check-in, you will be scheduled to a chore obligation. If for some reason this has not been assigned, you need to inform the office and ensure you have a shift as you are responsible for all chores due since the day of your checking-in. |
The work -week is defined as Monday through Sunday, and if you moved-in on a Friday or after, you do not have to do a shift that week. You may change your work assignment at anytime you want to, so long as you follow the required procedures. If you find that you are unable to attend your shift, or would like to take a fine at a reduced rate, you may do so but (you) will need to inform the front office officially, by filling out a shift change form 48 hours in advance of the shift. The necessary forms for any shift changes are available in the front office.
All chore shifts are allocated on a space availability basis and for opportunities in other crews you will need to talk to those in charge of hiring for those respective crews.
Explanation of shifts
Kitchen
The kitchen is open for service from 6:00am each morning (8:00am weekends) till 10:00pm each night (9:00pm weekends). Members work in assigned shifts of four hours duration (each week). Working in the kitchen usually entails serving food, washing dishes, pots/pans, preparing salad items and a variety of clean up projects (i.e. mopping, sweeping etc). All students work under the direction of a supervisor popularly known as the KC (Kitchen Chief).
Facilities
Here too each member works under the direct supervision of the manager or supervisor for the day. Projects include fixing and assembling furniture, painting, and assisting the full-time staff with a variety of miscellaneous duties.
Clean-up
Members work under the direct supervision of a manager or supervisor. Duties include: sweeping / mopping the public areas of all three buildings, emptying trash, vacuuming etc.
Security
All shifts are in the evening/early morning (i.e. 11:00pm to 6:00am) and crew members work largely unsupervised. Duties include patrolling the buildings and monitoring the presence of non-members. Additionally, crew members may be requested to work extra hours at special events.
Administrative aspects of chore shifts
Fines
Failure to show up for a chore requirement (work shift), carries a penalty of $10.00/hour (i.e.$40.00/4 hour shift). However, if a member finds his/her own replacement, then there will be no penalty, assuming the replacement completes the shift as required.
Leave of absences (LOA)
Leave of Absences are offered only in the summer, and winter Breaks. It may be possible to obtain a LOA during the academic year – any member requesting one would need to apply with the Executive Director, and supply the necessary documentation required, to receive an approval.
A member leaving the premises for a period of minimum, 14 days (maximum 21 days) is exempt from the weekly chore requirement during this time. Any absence in excess of this will be written as a Fine. However, to receive an exemption, a member will have to turn in the exemption form prior to his/her departure from the co-op. Forms turned in after the trip will not be accepted. Being on a LOA does not exempt you from your responsibility to make payments such as rent on time, and as such you are responsible to either call in your credit card information or mail the payment to be received by UCHA by the due date. Additionally a member may not show up on the premises for any reason, and doing so will result in the immediate cancellation of this privilege and the member being held responsible for all exempt household chores.
Change of work shift & Crew Transfers
Similar to the LOA, any one wishing to change his/her chore shift or crew is required to file in the necessary form with the front office well in advance of the time needed to change shifts/crews. No change/transfer should be considered final until written notification is received from the work office confirming the change. Any change effected without this written approval will be deemed unauthorized, and the co-oper will still be held responsible for the chore obligation of the previous department.
Make-up opportunities
The co-op provides the possibility for members to make up any losses incurred by fines. However, there are limitations on this. Also, any make-up work may be done only with the prior approval of the crew chief/department head, and must be in keeping with UCHA policies, and that of the respective department. Members are responsible for being acquainted with UCHA rules and policies, and for details on these policies, please obtain a copy (of the rules) from the front office.
Making up chore assignments
As per the rules of the co-op, a member who has incurred fines (by not showing up for their chore obligation) may not be excused from the chore requirement by paying ($) for the bills incurred. A member is thus required to make up the hours involved sometime during that quarter to make up for the chore hours that the member was deficient by. All delinquencies must be cleared by the last week of the quarter.
Quarter project Hours (QPH)
In addition to the weekly chore requirement of 4/5 hours per quarter, a member is required to do an additional chore (project) equal to 4 hours per quarter in fulfillment of what is referred to as quarter project hours. The projects available will be posted or advertised in the co-op news or you may talk to the Crew Chief/Department Head about it. Any excess QPHsÕ earned would be carried over to the following quarter, but may not be converted to cash or credit. All QPH requirements Must be completed by Friday of 10th week (10th week as per the UCLA undergraduate school schedule) and signed forms turned in to the Assignment managers office by this due date.