To be employed as a student employee in the Student Union/University Center, an individual must be enrolled as an undergraduate (minimum of nine credit hours) or graduate student (minimum three credit hours) at NKU. All student employees must maintain a cumulative and semester GPA of a 2.0. If either a semester or cumulative GPA falls below a 2.0 the student employee will be given the following semester to bring up his/her GPA. If after that semester, the cumulative or semester GPA is still below a 2.0, the student will be terminated.  

During the summer, a student seeking regular employment must have attended the university as a full time or part-time student during the spring semester or be enrolled for no less than 6 hours for the summer session. To be eligible to work during the fall or spring semesters, the student must have been registered either full or part time in the previous semester or is registered for classes during the summer or in the upcoming semester.

Student employees are responsible for keeping their current name, address, NKU email address and telephone numbers up to date with their supervisor. Changes should be added to “When to Work” and reported to your supervisor immediately. 

Training/Orientation sessions are held in the fall and spring for both new and returning employees. These meetings are mandatory. Only extreme emergencies will be accepted as excused absences. Failure to participate in the orientation programs will result in termination of employment. Periodic workshops and/or staff meetings will be held throughout the year as in-service training or staff development. Employees will be compensated for attending all training sessions as part of the current pay period.

All student employees are considered part-time by the university and under no circumstances are student employees allowed to collect unemployment.

A student employee who is terminated from one position within the department is not eligible to be employed or hired for another position within the department.

If an employee decides to resign his/her Student Union/University Center position, a two-week notice should be given in writing to the direct supervisor. An employee, who will be student teaching, studying abroad or away from campus for a period of time wishing to take a leave of absence, should make arrangements with their supervisor.  

During the fall and spring semesters, student employees cannot be scheduled for no more than a total of twenty-five (25) hours a week. International students cannot exceed twenty (20) hours during the academic year and must be enrolled for twelve (12) credit hours per semester. During holiday periods and during the summer, a student employee may work a maximum of thirty-five (35) hours per week. 

Employees are allowed breaks, if the following condition is met:  

If an employee works 4 consecutive hours: 
One ten-minute break is allowed. Employee does not have to log time taken for the 10-minute break. 

If an employee works 5 or more consecutive hours: 
In addition to the (one) 10-minute break, an employee may take a 20-minute unpaid lunch. Employee must log time taken for lunch period. Arrangements should be made with your supervisor or with the building manager for breaks so that your work station is covered during your break/lunch.

All employees will be evaluated each year. These evaluations will be important in terms of references, letters of recommendation, promotions, continued employment, raises/pay increases and one’s personal development. A signed copy of your evaluation will be kept on file and will become a part of your permanent record. Evaluations must be on file for an employee to be eligible for a pay increase. A copy of the evaluation is located at the bottom of the handbook. 

It is the responsibility of every student employee to be aware of and abide by the guidelines set forth in this handbook. If it should become necessary, that a student needs to be disciplined the following are the steps that will be taken: 

1. Verbal Warning with documentation to personnel file 
2. First Written Warning with documentation to personnel file 
3. Second Written Warning with documentation to personnel file 
4. Termination or 3rd written warning with documentation to personnel file.

The Student Union Director will be notified of disciplinary actions. The Director’s decision will be final.

Each employee is expected to arrive and be ready at his/her scheduled time. It is your responsibility to call your supervisor if you are going to be late for any reason. 

For the first offense, an employee who is tardy will receive a verbal warning and will sign the Employee Performance Record form as acknowledgment of the offense. The second offense will result in a 1st written warning. A third offense will result in a 2nd written warning. If there is a 3rd written warning, the employee will be suspended pending review with possible termination. An employee who is a “no call, no show” will automatically receive a written warning.

All student employees are considered part-time by the university and under no circumstances are student employees allowed to collect unemployment.

IF YOU CANNOT WORK IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO FIND A SUBSTITUTE. Please plan well in advance if you know you will not be able to work one of your scheduled shifts. Remember, a lack of planning on your part, does not constitute an emergency on our part! Your substitute must be a University Center/Student Union Student Employee and be completely familiar with your duties and responsibilities. “When to Work” is the employee scheduling software used by the Student Union. Employees should use the switch shift/trade feature on “When to Work.” All substitutes must be approved by your supervisor and completed through “When to Work.” 

Finding a SUB 
There is a phone list of all employees available on “When to Work” each semester. You may try to contact your colleagues to work your shift; however, remember you are still responsible for your shift. If you are having problems finding someone to work your shift, talk to your supervisor.

An employee must call their direct supervisor to report an absence. However, if you are working the opening shift for your department please notify Maryann as well as your supervisor. Please refer to “Meet the Staff” for your supervisor’s office or cell phone numbers. After 4:30pm or on weekends, the employee must call the building manager on duty. Absences must, be reported at least two (2) hours before his/her shift or by opening working the opening shift. The building manager is not authorized to excuse an employee. The manager will only record in writing the call was received. The employee is still responsible for finding a replacement for their shift. Failure to do so will be considered a “no show” unless deemed otherwise by the employee’s direct supervisor. 

Any job-related injury or illness must be reported to your direct supervisor so that an immediate substitute can be obtained. After 4:30pm or on weekends, employees should contact the student building manager.

If any employee sustains an injury elsewhere that may impair their ability to perform normal job functions, he/she must receive authorization to work from their supervisor. Injuries will be dealt with on an individual basis, based on the individual’s ability to perform job related duties.

Employees are not to work while ill. The supervisor or building manager (after 4:30pm or on weekends) must be informed of an illness at the earliest possible time. The employee should make every attempt to obtain a substitute. If a substitute is not obtained, the employee’s absence will be reported to his/her direct supervisor and she/he will record the absence in the student employee’s personnel file.

Students should always project a positive attitude, address all building guests and customers in a courteous, helpful manner and know the answers to questions. If you do not know the answer, direct the guest to a person who may be able to help, or take a message and see that the guest receives a reply. Take pride in being a service-orientated employee. The James C. and Rachael M. Votruba Student Union should present the friendliest atmosphere on campus.

• Clean up after yourself, wipe down your work surface, wash your hands on a regular basis and use hand sanitizer when available 
• We encourage all our employees to visit the facility while not on duty. However, please limit visits with on duty employees to 10 minutes or less. 
• Information desk employees need to limit the time spent on surfing the internet. Especially, on sites such as, Facebook, and gaming sites etc. Your main job is to provide excellent service to all customers 
• NO DOWNLOADS OF ANY KIND ARE PERMITTED, INCLUDING GAMES AND SOCIAL NETWORKING SOFTWARE TO ANY NKU STUDENT UNION/UNIVERSITY CENTER COMPUTERS.
• Eating food while working is prohibited. Eat before your shift or during your break. Drink items should not be in sight (be discreet). 
• Cell phones can only be used during your break! 
• Ear buds cannot be used during your shift. 
• NKU is a tobacco free campus; therefore, the use of any tobacco products is prohibited! 

State/Local health department regulations state that no catering client or guests of that customer shall remove food products from meeting rooms at the conclusion of an event without explicit prior approval of the catering department’s director or his/her designee. This guideline includes staff of the Student Union/University Center and the expectation that staff will not consume leftovers remaining at an event site without approval of the catering administration or a member of the sponsoring event. 

Whether you realize it or not, the approach you use in fulfilling your job responsibilities will be revealed in how well you do it. The way you approach a situation will be influenced by your attitude.  

• How much attention do you pay to details? 
• Do you let your moods affect your decisions? 
• Are you consistently friendly, enthusiastic, and fair in your enforcement of policies? 
• If you do not personally agree with a particular rule, are you mature enough to enforce it impartially and vigorously? 

As a student employee of the Student Union/University Center, you will come in contact with many people. All our customers are important. Treat them with respect and in the same manner you would want to be treated. 

You are expected to dress appropriately and to present yourself in a professional manner. Remember that there is a high degree of visibility and public contact with all positions. Please remember the following: 

• All Student Union/University Center employees are required to wear their employee shirt issued by the Student Union/University Center. We ask that shirts be worn only during assigned shifts. 
• Employees must wear a facial covering during their entire shift
• All employees must complete the information on the Healthy at NKU App prior to arriving at work 
• All employees must complete the HR training module in canvas prior to the start of the school year on Sunday, August 16, 2020 
• Employees should always appear neat, clean and have their work shirt on during their shift. 
• No hats, cut-off jeans, or bib overalls are permitted during work hours. 
• If your pants continue to slide down you will be asked to wear a belt. 
• Building managers, operation team members, AV staff, and snack bar/game room attendants must wear shoes with heels and toes covered at all times. 
• Sweat pants, tattered shorts or jeans, clothing advertising other schools, any revealing type of clothing, and vulgar t-shirts or t-shirts w/drugs or alcohol labels are unacceptable. 
• All shorts must be loose fitting and an appropriate length. 
• Building managers and AV Techs must wear khakis pants or black or gray slacks. 
• If your outfit does not meet the standards set above, you will be asked to leave and return when you have changed your clothes. You will not be paid for the time taken to change your clothes. 
  • Discipline for not wearing appropriate uniform is as follows: 
    First offense - verbal warning 
    Second offense – written warning 
    Third offense – Employee will be terminated 

Employees of the Student Union/University Center will work directly with a variety of customers from both the campus and local community. Therefore, it is necessary that staff maintain a professional appearance. Please remember to practice good personal hygiene. 

Employment does not include time for study. Your priority is your work. However, light studying may be allowed by your supervisor if and when studying does not conflict with your job responsibilities. Consult with your supervisor for studying guidelines in your department. 

Have you ever heard the expression “you never get a second chance to make a first impression?” The same is true for the Student Union/University Center. Our customers will not continue to utilize our services unless they have a positive experience. Here are some tips for fostering that positive image: 

• Treat all people with respect – the same way you would expect to be treated 
• Be polite and interested in each customer’s opinion, comments, and suggestions 
• Speak up, articulate your words, and use eye contact 
• Use positive body language 

• Please be aware of the 6 foot social distancing rules and maintain your distance during this time 
• Be aware of social ques and comfort levels of our guests 
• Remember that most importantly: customers are not an interruption of our work. They are the purpose of our work! 
• When the customer comes first, the customer will last! 
• Be courteous at all times. Smile, it’s contagious. 
• Be knowledgeable of the policies governing the use of our facilities. If a problem or question arises, contact a supervisor immediately. 
• Be aware of all programs and activities scheduled in the University Center and the Student Union. There is a detailed schedule of events printed out daily and is available at the Information Desk.
• Try your best to answer all questions. If you do not know the answer, take down the person’s information and let them know a member of the professional staff will get back to them as soon as possible. 
• Sometimes things will go wrong. In cases where a guest is upset about something it is very important to keep calm. You should get a supervisor to assist you with the situation. Remember: Try not to take the situation personally, but at the same time remain professional.