Lab Shifts

Getting started with your assigned work times

Signing up:

Sign-ups for lab shifts occur during the first 2 weeks of the semester, and shifts may not be altered following the add-drop period in the Cornell Academic Calendar.

Shifts are limited to five (5) RA's per shift. This is because our coding room is shared with the Early Childhood Cognition Lab, and only 5 computers are equipped with the applications and data analysis tools that we need to complete our work.

In order to maintain our cap on shift attendance, we use a Doodle Poll to sign up for time slots in the beginning of each semester. The Doodle Poll is on a first come, first serve basis, so it is in your best interest to complete this survey as soon as you receive it. Please email Deaven ([e-mail]) for access.

Tracking:

Students should check in for their shifts and comment on what work they completed by the end of that shift. To make things simpler and easier to track, we use a shift tracking spreadsheet (Available Here). You must be granted access to this spreadsheet, and will only be able to adjust your own hour log. If you have trouble accessing the spreadsheet please email David ([e-mail]).

To use the spreadsheet, look for your name on the tabs and go to your name. Mark each of your shifts as completed as you finish them, and don’t forget to add an explanation of what you worked on during the shift. Any hours worked outside of shifts must be scheduled and approved by the lab manager (Deaven).

Shift Expectations:

Students are expected to attend every shift for which they have signed up. Failure to attend shifts without rescheduling or without checking with graduate students/staff may result in a reduction in your final grade. See the RA Information tab or the lab syllabus for more details on shift expectations.

I can't make my shift, what should I do?

We understand that life gets in the way sometimes! If you cannot attend your shift here's what to do:

• Pre-scheduled obligation:

  • Many of our students are enrolled in academic clubs, sports, and organizations that host events on campus, some of which might overlap with coding shifts. If you know that you have an event coming up, email Deaven at least 2 weeks in advance so that she can notify other lab members of your absence and find another time for you to come into the lab.

• Sickness:

  • If you are feeling under the weather, please stay home and email Deaven to find another time to complete your lab work! Our lab works with young children, and we are constantly sharing computers and other lab supplies. It is imperative that our lab members stay healthy!

• Schoolwork:

  • It's prelim season and you're overwhelmed, what should you do? We understand that academic success comes first, however participation in the lab counts for course credits as well. If you need a day to catch up on work, we can work with you to find a better time for you to come in. Alternatively, you can backlog hours in the beginning of the semester to use as life gets more hectic. Ultimately, our goal is to support RA's, but we ask that students budget their time accordingly so that our research is not halted periodically during the semester.

• Emergencies:

  • In case of an emergency, we realize that you may not be able to contact us immediately about missed shifts. Communicate with us when you can, and we will work with you to find a way through the situation.