<HTML> <HEAD> <TITLE>Re: [CAUT] Getting paid for non-university events</TITLE> </HEAD> <BODY> Hey, Rob, When I started here, we discussed whether it would be better for me to bill directly for on-campus, non-School of Music events or use the internal payments system.  We decided it would be more convenient for all concerned to use the internal payment system.  Here’s how it works:  Any time I tune for an on-campus, non-SoM event, I take a little form with me. I have attached a copy of that form.  When I am finished, I go to the financial officer for the office in question and have them fill out some accounting information (the “MO Code” and “PS Account” blanks) and sign.  I then take the form back to our financial officer and she generates the payment (that’s the “IOF” – I have no idea what that stands for).  She then adds that onto my paycheck as overtime, with a little bit deducted for benefits and the employer’s portion of Social Security – payments I would have to make anyway if I were doing the billing.  It’s actually pretty simple, since nearly all the events in question are either University Concert Series or Alumni Center events.  In three years I think I’ve had two events that were something else.  Of course, the thing that made it work is that this was all preceded by a letter from the Director of the School of Music to all concerned parties explaining how all this was going to work. You need to light a fire under these bozos and do a little educating.  Mostly the chair needs to stand up on his hind legs and take care of his people.  Maybe a letter from an attorney wouldn’t be a bad idea.  Refusing to do outside work until the matter is resolved might be a good attention-getting device, too.  Personally, I wouldn’t give a furry rat’s backside if I got labeled a troublemaker if they owed me that much money.  But that’s just me. Good luck, Ken Z. On 8/20/07 2:55 PM, "Rob Goodale" <rrg@unlv.nevada.edu> wrote: <BLOCKQUOTE>For those full-time university staff techs:   I have been getting regularly ripped off by the Performing Arts Center hall.  As typical I am responsible for tuning and maintaining pianos for UNIVERSITY business, (i.e. music department staff/faculty, orchestras, etc).  However, when non-university outside groups come in such as visiting orchestras, high school competitions, pop bands, etc, I should be getting paid for my services.  These groups are charged for renting the hall, use of the piano, AND a charge specifically for the tuning.  Sometimes I even have to come in on weekends or late evenings for these events.   During the last few years there has been virtually a complete turn-over of the music department personnel.  Only a small handful of people are still here that were present when I arrived 8.5 years ago, including administration.  For all practical purposes it is a completely different school.  Over time my getting paid for outside groups has been slipping through the cracks.  I have been protesting this for some time and the current administration hasn't a clue how to fix this.  The chair says "talk to the department accountant".  The department accountant says "talk to the performing arts hall administrator".  The PFA says "I don't know how to fix this, go talk to the chair".  No one wants to take responsibility for the paperwork to pay me.  I made the suggestion that I check with some other university techs to see what procedures are used to pay the tech for these kinds of events.  They agreed that would be helpful.  Then they would have something to copy and can agree that it was done correctly.  Whatever.   So... for those university techs in similar arrangements, please tell me the typical procedure for how you get paid for outside events.  At the moment the hall has been forwarding an annual. (or simi-annual), lump sum for my services to the music department which goes into the piano maintenance account.  Then it sits there while I protest and not get paid.  Last year I discovered someone stole about $3,000 of it to repair a bassoon!!   Thanks for your help,   Rob </BLOCKQUOTE> -- Ken Zahringer, RPT Piano Technician MU School of Music 297 Fine Arts 882-1202 cell 489-7529 </BODY> </HTML>