Glossary of Terms
Active Learning Experience (ALE)
General Education Program component that provides opportunities for students to explore interconnections among various venues for learning- courses, labor, service, research, internships, etc. All students must complete at least one ALE prior to graduation. See “ Academic Support Section" section for further details.
Allocation
Number of student labor positions and/or labor hours assigned to a department. Allocations are established in the spring for the upcoming year and generally remain fixed unless special circumstances arise. See "Allocation of Student Labor" section for further details.
Confidential Hold
Notice in the College’s database that prevents the release of directory information to outside parties (see the compliance section). Holds should be requested through the Vice President for Labor and Student Life.
Confidentiality Agreement – Student Worker
All incoming student sign a student worker confidentiality agreement upon entering the college and before starting to work. This agreement defines and articulates the general workplace confidentiality standards that the student worker must follow when handling or having access to sensitive and protected department records and communications. Labor Departments can choose to supplement this agreement with a department confidentiality agreement that is specific to the department’s work environment. See "Policies and Procedures" section for further details.
Department – See Labor Department
Department Work-Learning-Service Enrollment List
Similar in ways to the verification of student attending an academic class the list must be verified by the labor department as accurate. The list is sent to the Payroll Coordinator of the labor department during the first pay period of the fall term and prior to the start of the spring term, and summer period. It is the responsibility of the labor department Payroll Coordinator to work with the department Labor Supervisors to verify that the student workers are assigned to the correct Labor Supervisor, position, Work-Learning-Service (WLS) level, and hours per week. The data must be accurate to ensure that the student work record is correct in regard to the department and position assignment designation, labor supervisor designation, and the WLS level of the position. This is critical in ensuring accurate labor data is uploaded into the Labor Transcript (the permanent record of the student work assignments and performance). See "Policies and Procedures" section for further details.
Disciplinary Action Form
Form used by labor supervisors to document performance issues in the workplace. Student performance concerns must be documented and discussed with the student. A student cannot receive any type of department probationary status or release without using the Student Disciplinary Action Form except in the case of a grievous performance occurrence (e.g. falsification of time, serious confidentially cases, physical violent, etc.). See both "Policies and Procedures” and "Performance Concerns” section for further details.
Direct Deposit
Banking method used to electronically transfer scholarship payment earnings into a bank account selected by the student. See “Student Payments” section for further details.
Early Intervention Program (EIP)
Program administered through the Office of Student Success and Transition that provides a means of notifying College officials if a student is experiencing difficulty; the Labor Program collaborates with the EIP to provide notification and assistance in cases where students are not meeting labor standards. See "Performance Concerns" section for further details.
Essential Labor
Essential Labor may be defined as student labor that supports any college business or service that is open to the public (i.e., Boone Tavern, Bookstore, Log House Gifts, Seabury, Child Development, etc…) or any area responsible for the health and welfare of the campus community and property (i.e., Food Services, Public Safety, Health Services, College Farms, Facilities Management, etc…). See "Policies and Procedures” section for further details.
Evaluation and Assessment
Staff or Faculty Labor Supervisors assume the role of practical instructors within the program and evaluate, using the Student Labor Evaluation (SLE) the student’s performance based on seven performance expectations (attendance, accountability, teamwork, initiative, respect, learning, and position specific requirements) and subsequent linked labor learning goals and workplace expectations. Students are required, towards the end of the academic year and if engaged in a summer labor position towards the end of summer, to evaluate and reflect on their labor experience through the Labor Experience Evaluation (LEE). Labor supervisors, departments, and the labor program utilize the two evaluation tools to assess the educational performance and effectiveness of the program and implement appropriate changes based on the assessment. See “ Evaluation and Assessment" section for further details.
Grievance (Labor)
Formal process through which students may express concerns related to labor supervision. Labor-related issues should first be discussed with the supervisor and/or department head and with the Labor Program Office before an official grievance is filed. See section Procedures” and "Policies for further details.
Hold
Electronic restriction placed on registration and confirmation until the combined Labor Enrollment Agreement, Confidentiality Agreement and Status Form, I-9 form, or Labor Experience Evaluation is completed and submitted. See “Student Payments” section for further details.
Internship
Experiential education program individually designed for the student to gain practical experience. Priority is given to internships that integrate classroom learning with practical experience and those that are tied to community service. Internships are coordinated through the Internship Office and students may be eligible for on-campus funding through the Labor Program during the fall and spring terms and on-o-off campus funding during the summer. Internships can be for academic credit or non-credit. See "Academic Program Support" section for further details.
Labor Assignment Resume (LAR)
A resume completed by incoming students as part of the admission process. The LAR assists in labor placement for new students. See “Career Preparation” section for further details.
Labor Day (Exploring Labor, Service and Learning Day)
A day set aside to celebrate student labor. Today, Labor Day is a day of celebration and exploration. There are no longer competitions, but the celebration of work well done continues. It is a full day of celebration that includes a shared campus wide meal, snacks, prizes, and games. Students and supervisors from various departments gather to display their daily work, as well as the unique or long-term projects that have been completed. During Labor Day celebrations, the Labor Program office provides a professional development session for first-year students, as well as a formal dinner for student leaders. See “Recognition and Exploration" section for further details.
Labor Department
Defined work area that utilizes student and staff workers to complete the necessary work of the college and is structured to provide a practical educational experience of value to the student worker. There are over 100 labor departments at Berea College. See "Organization" section for further details.
Labor Enrollment Agreement
Signed by each student upon entering Berea College, the agreement outlines the expectations of the student and the College with regard to the Labor Program and serves as the student’s acknowledgement of work as a core requirement of enrollment and an integral/required part of their educational program. See the Labor Enrollment Agreement under the “section ” Purposes and Goals for further details.
Labor Expo
Labor Expo is a two-day event that gives students an opportunity to network and explore different labor positions around campus, for the upcoming summer and academic year. Supervisors can use this day to perform interviews or schedule interviews for a later date. Labor Expo happens in the Fall term, before labor status forms open for the spring. Class and Labor is not excused for Labor Expo, so departments are encouraged to allow their students to participate at least one of the two days of Labor Expo.
Labor Grant – see Work Scholarship
Labor Meeting
Tuesdays from 4pm until 5pm are set aside for supervisors to meet with their student staff. This time is reserved for labor meetings; therefore, no academic or other College requirements should be scheduled during that time. See “Training and Resources” section for further details.
Labor Pool
Designation allowing departments to hire a student outside of their department for up to ten hours to assist with short-term production or service needs. See “Allocation of Student Labor” section for further details.
Labor Position Participation Agreement – See Status Form
Labor Supervisor
A direct supervisor and practical instructor for a student(s) assigned to a position(s) under their purview. The supervisor manages the student(s) assigned to complete the work of the department and utilizes the learning outcomes derived through work to educate the student. The supervisor is responsible for both the certification of the time the student has worked and the evaluation of the student’s performance utilizing the labor learning goals, workplace expectations, and the seven performance expectations (attendance, accountability, teamwork, initiative, respect, learning, and position specific requirements). See “Goals and Purposes” section for further details.
Labor Release Request
This request is used to discontinue a labor position or to alter conditions of an existing labor position participation agreement (as defined in the status form). If a labor status form is not rejected within 24 hours of being submitted, a labor release is needed whenever a student changes jobs during an academic year. All primary labor positions are in effect for an entire academic year. All releases after the deadline must be made in consultation with the Labor Program Office. The release deadline is 8 days after the first day of Labor. Labor Release Forms can be found at lsf.berea.edu.
Note: First Year students are assigned to a labor position for an entire
academic year and may not be released from any position without
approval from the Labor Program Office.
Labor Transcript
An official record of a student’s participation in the Labor Program during enrollment that provides a detailed accounting of all positions held within each term or period. Each position record includes the department, supervisor name, the WLS levels attained, the assigned work hours per week and the final student evaluation performance score. See “section Purposes” and Goals for further details.
Last Day to Change a Labor Position
Changing a primary position including the WLS level of position can only occur in a term before the “Last Day to Change a Labor Position” as indicated in the academic calendar, unless the position change is warranted because of a disciplinary action, a medical reason, or a labor program administrative action. This date occurs eight days after the first day of class in any term. Please refer to the academic calendar or labor calendar for the official date. See section Procedures” and “Policies for further details.
Mediation
Method of conflict resolution whereby a third party listens to all sides of a situation and recommends measures to alleviate tension. See “Training and Resources ” section for further details.
Mentor
Individual who cultivates an important relationship with students through the Labor Program, contributing greatly to their training and development.
Non-Degree Student
Student taking classes in a limited manner for personal fulfillment. Non-degree students are permitted to participate in the College’s Labor Program provided funding is available and all degree-seeking students have been assigned. If questions, students should contact the Labor Program Office, 101 Hafer Gibson, 985-3611. See section Procedures” and “Policies for further details.
Overload
Permission to work more than 15 hours per week. Students must meet certain qualifications for overload approval to ensure that additional work will not interfere with student progress. See for section Procedures” and “Policies further details.
Part-time Student
Student enrolled in less than 3 full courses for a regular term. Depending on the circumstances, part-time students may be eligible for a reduction in labor hours. See section Procedures” and “Policies for further details.
Payroll Coordinator
The coordinator is responsible for: 1) running payment reports and working with individual supervisors to address any issue sited in the report (missing punches, certification of time incomplete, etc.). Once all issues are addressed the coordinator approves and submits the department time sheets, and 2) coordinating the review/editing of the Department WLS Enrollment List with the Labor Supervisors of the department and returning any edited copy to the Labor Program office within the designated time frame. See “Policies and Procedures” section for further details.
Placement
Process by which first-year students are assigned their first labor positions. The Labor Program Office reviews student qualifications listed on submitted resumes and considers position openings to determine the best fit for students and departments. Returning students may also be placed by the Labor Program Office for reasons including disciplinary action, registered accommodations, or a labor program administrative condition. All students placed by the Labor Program Office are expected to remain in their positions for the academic year. See “Allocation of Student Labor” section for further details.
Position Code
Administrative code used to assign students to positions in the College’s database. Each department has a set of position codes for positions held during the academic year, break periods, and summer. See “Scholarship Payments” section for further details.
Position Description
The position description includes an itemized description of the position, duties, the required and desirable qualifications, and the potential learning opportunities. The position description establishes expectations for students and supervisors for a particular labor position and includes the number of hours required per week and the WLS level assigned. All position descriptions are kept on file in the Labor Program Office. See “Goals and Purposes” and the “Compliance” section for further details.
Position Adjustment Request
If a student/supervisor plans to increase or decrease hours per week, change WLS Level or position code, or change a supervisor, a Position Adjustment Request must be processed through lsf.berea.edu. NOTE: Changing a primary position including the WLS level of a position can only occur in a term before the “Last Day to Change a Labor Position”, unless the position change is warranted because of a disciplinary action, a registered accommodation, or a labor program administrative condition. This date occurs eight days after the first day of class in any term. Please refer to the academic calendar or labor calendar for the official date.See “Policies and Procedures” section for further details.
Primary Position
Position through which a student meets his or her primary labor requirement (10, 12, 15 or 20 hours per week). Incoming first year students are only permitted to work in a 10-hour position. See “Position Assignment” section for further details.
Probation (Labor)
Designation assigned to students for failure to meet Labor Program standards (e.g. hour requirements, performance, etc.). Probation generally lasts one full term but can be assigned for up to two consecutive regular terms and alerts the student and their advisor that there is a danger of suspension if standards are not met during the following term. See “Performance Concerns” section for further details.
Probation- Pending Immediate Suspension
Provides for immediate dismissal upon failure to meet specified probationary conditions. See “Performance Concerns” section for further details.
Release / Adjustment Request – See Labor Release / Position Adjustment Request
Resume
Summary of a student’s educational and position history used in securing an on campus labor position, or an off-campus internship or employment. See “Position Assignments” section for further details.
Scholarship Rate
Rate per hour earned by students through their labor positions; rates are determined by the position’s WLS level, and students are expected to advance in level as they progress toward graduation. See “Scholarship Payments” section for further details.
Secondary Position
Position taken by a student in addition to their primary position. Students may take secondary positions as a means of earning extra income, learning a new skill, participating in a desired program, or providing an important service. Primary supervisors must approve secondary positions and they may not interfere with the student’s primary performance. Hours earned in a secondary position do not count towards the required 160-hour total during regular terms. All break positions are secondary positions. Incoming first year students are not permitted to work a secondary position until their second semester. See “Position Assignments” section for further details
Service
The word service in the term “work-learning-service” refers to uncompensated volunteer service or compensated service for work performed for the good of the college community or the external community beyond the campus. It includes work performed in the public interest at a Federal, State, or local public agency, or at a private nonprofit organization. The word service is important because it recognizes the value of service as an intrinsic element and educational outcome of work that is provided as part of the overall education program at a Work College that benefits the college, the community, and the student. See “Goals and Purposes” section for further details.
Status Form
The Status Form is the work agreement or contract between the student worker and the labor department. It is a supplement to the Labor Enrollment Agreement that is signed by the incoming student upon entering the college. It defines the student’s labor assignment(s) for the Fall or Spring term or summer period. The form is submitted by the labor supervisor with the student's approval at the beginning of every position assignment. The form establishes a work commitment (WLS level of the position and hours per week) and provides important information for scholarship payment purposes. Status forms are found at lsf.berea.edu. See “Scholarship Payments” section and the Labor Enrollment Agreement under the “Goals and Purposes” section for further details.
Summer Practicum
There are two primary summer labor program designations: summer school and summer practicum. Summer school students, enrolled to graduate, are on campus primarily to take classes and work a required number of hours as they would during the academic year. Summer Practicum students are on campus to work, usually 40 hours a week, but can, if approved by the Labor Supervisor/Department, be enrolled in a summer class. However, the emphasis of a summer practicum is on work and the learning outcomes (transferrable and specific) that are derived from engaging in a practical educational experience. See “Policies and Procedures” section for further details.
Suspension (Labor)
Suspension is defined as dismissal from the College for failure to meet program requirements. Students are generally placed on labor probation as a warning prior to being suspended and have the option of appealing the suspension decision. Suspension normally lasts one term, after which students may apply for readmission to the College. If readmitted, the student will have a probationary status in labor until the term is successfully completed. See “Performance Concerns” section for further details.
Time Adjustment Form
This form is used for submitting unrecorded time worked by a student and can be requested from the Labor Program Office. See "Student Payments" section for further details.
UltraTime (TRACY)
The time, attendance, and scheduling system utilized by the Labor Program for monitoring and capturing student hours worked and includes a robust scheduling and reporting feature.
Workplace Expectations
Guiding principles of the Berea College workforce, both professional and student. Expectations include: Act with Integrity and Caring, Value All People, Work as a Team, Celebrate Work Well Done, Encourage Plain and Sustainable Living, and Serve Others. See ““Goals and Purposes” section for further details.
Workforce Training and Development Center
A Labor Program and Human Resources center that supports a workforce training and development curriculum that includes: 1) Orientation (e.g. new workers – staff and students); 2) Technology (e.g. TRACY, Labor Status Forms; 3) Professional Development (e.g. leadership, diversity...); 4) Evaluation and Assessment (Supervisor level, Department level, Program level…). In addition, programs and departments can also utilize the center for training, webinars, or other venues that support Berea’s one workforce model. See “Training and Resources” section for further details.
Work-Learning-Service Levels (WLS)
Position classification linking performance expectations and learning opportunities to a specified scholarship payment rate; WLS levels are numbered 1-6 and a level increase corresponds to an increase in skill, responsibility, and potential learning outcomes. See “Work-Learning-Service Levels” section for further details.
Work Scholarship
Students earn a work scholarship while working in the labor program. A portion of the scholarship, the labor grant, is applied directly to the full tuition scholarship, and the remainder, a smaller portion, is made up in check payments based on hours worked. See Financial Aid under “Goals and Purposes” section for further details.