Becoming a Notetaker

Applying to be a Notetaker

Notetakers must be a UW-Madison student currently enrolled in the class for which they are requesting a notetaking assignment.  The first part of the process is to complete a short, online application to let us know that you are interested in being a notetaker and which classes you could provide copies of your notes.  As part of the application you can elect to get paid for your notes or to be a volunteer.

  1. Review online training for Applying to be a Notetaker and eligibility requirements
  2. Apply to Be a Notetaker on McBurney Connect and Request Notetaking Assignments (Selecting from your Courses/Sections)
  3. Review the information below to determine what employment documentation you may need to provide to get paid
  4. Watch your email for a Notetaking Assignment

Accepting Your Notetaking Assignment as a Notetaker

If you are assigned to be a notetaker for a class you will receive an email from the McBurney Connect system. All notetakers must complete the following 2 steps within 48 hours of being assigned as a notetaker:

  1. Confirm the notetaking assignment by clicking on the link to confirm in the Confirmation of Notetaking Assignment email.
  2. Complete the Required Notetaking Employment Survey from the link in the Assignment Confirmation email you will receive after confirming the assignment

Instructions to Receive Payment for being a Paid Notetaker

NOTE: If you are volunteering to share notes, you can skip this section.

Notetakers are employed as student hourlies and are paid a lump sum of $125 per class (minus any state and federal payroll taxes). Payment is made about 6 weeks after the end of the semester via direct deposit. If the class is dropped or notes are no longer needed, payment is prorated (classes that don’t follow the standard 15-week semester are paid in a similar, prorated fashion):

Notetaker Reimbursement
1-3 Weeks: $25
4-6 Weeks: $50
7-10 Weeks: $75
11-14 Weeks: $100
15 Weeks: $125

If you are NOT currently employed by UW-Madison and accept a notetaking assignment, you must complete the student employee hiring process as soon as possible. You will be considered a volunteer until you complete the student employee hiring process.

Student employee hiring process for all notetakers who aren’t current UW-Madison employees

  1. Schedule a 30 minute I-9 appointment
    1. You will be directed to schedule an appointment via Doodle at the end of the employment survey.
    2. Appointments are held in-person at the McBurney Disability Resource Center (702 W. Johnson Street, Madison, WI 53715).
  2. Bring your original documents to the I-9 appointment
    1. Acceptable I-9 documents – You will need to provide either one documents in List A or one document in List B in combination with one document in List C.
    2. Note: I-9 supporting documents must be original and unexpired.  No copies will be accepted.
    3. Note: Even if you provided I-9 supporting documents to a previous UW-Madison employer and they have not expired, the McBurney Center is required to reverify your identity by examining the original documents.
  3. Check MyUW 3-5days after completing your I-9 appointment for the “Payroll Information” app –  Once you have been entered in the HRS system, the “Payroll Information” app will appear in MyUW with buttons for “Update Direct Deposit” and “Update W4”
    1. Visit the HR site for more info on: completing the direct deposit information and submitting your Federal and State W-4 forms
    2. Note: Failure to submit accurate direct deposit information may delay payment or result in issuance of payment via a US Bank Focus Card.
  4. Sign your invoice near the end of the semester: You will receive an email notifying you that your invoice is available for you to sign online in McBurney Connect.

International Students: Complete these additional steps

  1. You must apply for a social security number if you are working in the United States. The McBurney Center will provide you with the necessary Offer of Employment letter after you complete your I-9 appointment.
  2. Update Glacier account. A Glacier account will be automatically generated once you are have submitted your W-4 form and you are entered in the HRS system. For more information on Glacier visit the Payroll Services website

Checking on Your Payment

Payment is generally made six weeks after the end of the semester via direct deposit. Students with other campus jobs will have their notetaking payment added to their usual payroll check.

Students can check on their payment by going to MyUW, locating the “Payroll Information” app and opening the “Earning Statements” button. The Notetaker payment will be listed as “Student Hrly Lump Pmt.”

Contact the Notetaking Payment Coordinator with questions or issues.