Student Employment

The objective of Student Employment is to provide students with real life work experiences.  Students make important contributions to the university while gaining practical work experience.

Employment Eligibility
If you plan to work at Clarkson, please note that the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires employers to verify the employment eligibility of all new employees.  Clarkson requires documents to verify identity and eligibility for employment from all potential student employees.  The Student Information Sheet, NYS Department of Labor Form, W-4 and I-9 forms must all be completed prior to the start of employment.  As a new employee, you will need your original social security card and a picture ID (Clarkson Student ID or driver’s license) OR your original social security card and a valid Passport in order to complete the required paperwork.  Please remember to bring originals of all the proper identification with you.  Once you are hired for a position, your supervisor will begin the process with you to complete these required forms.

If you choose to opt out of the NYS Paid Family Leave benefit, please complete the Employee Opt-Out of Paid Family Leave Benefits form. More information on this benefit can be found at www.ny.gov/PaidFamilyLeave.

Clarkson offers eligible employees the opportunity to enroll in a Pension Plan. For more information, please contact Human Resources.

If you have financial need, as determined by the FAFSA, you may be eligible to work under the Federal Work Study Program.  Federal Work Study money is allocated to the University by the federal government and jobs are contingent upon funding.  If you do not qualify for Federal Work Study, you may be able to work on campus under the University Work Program (contingent on funding for individual departments).

Finding a Job

Current available student employment jobs are posted online using Handshake.  The job listings are updated on a regular basis.  If there are no jobs currently available and/or none that are of interest, you may contact individual departments directly and inquire about available jobs.  Each individual department is responsible for collecting resumes, interviewing and hiring of their own student workers.  The following is a list of the most popular departments on campus that hire students:

Accommodative Services (315-268-7643)
Admissions (315-268-6480)
Sodexo
Athletics (315-268-6622)
Cheel Campus Center (315-268-6638)
Custodial Services (315-268-6634)
Fitness Center (315-268-3768)
Grounds Maintenance (315-268-7700)
Library (315-268-2292)
Office of Information Technology (315-268-6752)
Phonathon (315-268-3854)
Student Achievement Services (315-268-6451)
Tutor Services (315-268-4396)

Schedule
Student employees may work up to 7.5 hours per day but no more than 20 hours per week while classes are in session.  During vacation periods, students may work up to 37 hours per week.  Students arrange their work schedule in conjunction with their supervisor.  Federal regulations prohibit students from working during their scheduled class times.  Students may not skip a class and work during that time period.

Timecards
Once you have secured a job and have completed all necessary paperwork, you will clock in and out in our electronic time card system in PeopleSoft.  Your hours are submitted to the Payroll Office by your supervisor electronically.

Paycheck
You will be paid on a bi-weekly basis (every other Friday – exceptions made when the pay date falls on a holiday).  You may choose to have your paycheck mailed to your campus mailbox or have it directly deposited into your bank account.  Direct deposit enrollment forms are available at the Payroll Office.

Hourly Wage
NYS minimum wage can be found here. Most student employment jobs on campus are paid at this rate. A limited number of jobs that require more responsibility and/or skill may be paid at a higher per hour wage than minimum.  The rate of pay is determined by the department.

Meal Breaks
New York State Labor Law Section 162 outlines the following:

  • Employees who work a shift of more than six hours starting before 11:00 am and continuing until or past 2:00 pm must have an uninterrupted lunch period of at least half an hour between 11:00 am and 2:00 pm.
  • If a person is employed for a shift starting before 11:00 am and continuing later than 7:00 pm, that employee is allowed an additional meal period of at least 20 minutes between 5:00 pm and 7:00 pm.
  • Every person employed for a shift of more than six hours starting between the hours of 1:00 pm and 6:00 am, shall be allowed at least forty-five minutes for a meal period at a time midway between the beginning and end of the shift.
  • In some instances where only one person is on duty or is the only one in a specific job, it is customary for the employee to eat on the job without being relieved.  The Department of Labor will accept these special situations as long as the employee voluntarily consents to the arrangements.  However, an uninterrupted meal period must be given to every employee who requests this from their employer.

Periods of Non-Attendance

A student may be employed under federal work study during a period of nonattendance, such as a summer term or an equivalent vacation period, as long as they are planning to enroll for the next period of enrollment and have demonstrated financial need for that period. 

Termination
Supervisors shall discuss any problems with the student employee if he/she is not performing in a satisfactory manner.  The student should then be given a chance to improve.  Problems that should be addressed may include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Absence without notice
  • Excessive tardiness
  • Violation of department’s rules and regulations
  • Failure to work a reasonable percentage of hours granted on contract
  • Loitering on the job
  • Failure to fulfill job responsibilities in a satisfactory manner

If the supervisor and the student are unable to resolve differences, it may be necessary to terminate a work study student. 

Immediate dismissal may be issued for any of the following violations, but not limited to:

  • Job abandonment (three consecutive work days where the employee has not called or reported to work)
  • Excessive absences
  • Dishonesty and/or theft
  • Verbal or physical abuse to a supervisor, personnel, or another work study student
  • Abuse of Clarkson equipment or property
  • Excessive failure to attend classes
  • Disclosure of confidential information to unauthorized parties
  • Falsifying hours worked

Unemployment Benefits            

Employment at Clarkson University is provided under a program of financial assistance to students and will not be covered for unemployment benefits per section 511.15 of the New York State Labor Law.   

 

Responsibilities of the Student Employee

Any job is a serious obligation and your performance, attitude, and conduct should reflect this.  Wherever you work, organizations strive to create an atmosphere of courteous and efficient service to the public.  Any student who accepts a job accepts the responsibilities of maintaining professional standards and agrees to do the following:

  • You will not begin work until all required paperwork is completed accurately and submitted to SAS.
  • Understand that a Student Employment Position is a job.  The money paid to the student must be earned on an hourly basis.
  • Cooperate in creating a work schedule that leaves enough time aside from work and classes to do homework and study for exams. Once a work schedule is established, the student is responsible for working those hours.
  • Report to work on time and notify their supervisor if this is not possible due to extenuating circumstances.  Note: Permission to be absent must be granted by the student’s supervisor.
  • Know and perform in a satisfactory manner the duties of their position as explained by their supervisor.
  • Clock in and out for each shift.  Electronically sign for your hours worked at the end of each payroll period. 
  • Establish a good working relationship with the supervisor and all other department members.
  • Conduct yourself in a professional manner.  Maintain the confidentiality of college records and other information they may see or hear.
  • Keep socialization to a minimum.  Taking or making personal phone calls, Instant Messaging and texting are not permitted during work hours.  Socialization that lowers efficiency and productivity is not acceptable.
  • Represent their office or place of employment well.  The student worker may be the first contact that a person has with a job site.  How a person is received leaves a lasting impression.
  • Show initiative.  The student should learn all they can about the area or department in which they are assigned.  The more a student worker knows about the area, the more valuable they will become.
  • Have a positive attitude.  Be cooperative and show a willingness to learn.  Your work reflects your attitude and level of competency.
  • Dress appropriately for your job.  Discuss any questions on attire and grooming with your supervisor.
  • Inform supervisor of any plans to end employment.  Two weeks notification is recommended. 

 

Responsibilities of Supervisor
  • Develop accurate and useful job descriptions for their Student Employment Positions.
  • Inform student employees of all duties, responsibilities, and any special requirements of the position.
  • Inform student employees of any changes in procedures, scheduling, or working conditions.
  • Develop good working relations with all student employees.
  • Take immediate action to correct inappropriate behavior of student employees. 
  • DO NOT request or demand that the student miss any classes in order to work.  Supervisors are encouraged to be as flexible as possible with work hours and students’ class schedules.  Students are here for academic reasons FIRST!
  • See that each student employee’s hours are reported accurately and the work performed is satisfactory.  The supervisor’s electronic signature is verification the student worked the hours submitted.
  • Submit hours worked electronically at the end of each payroll period. 

Student Confidentiality
Student employees may be required to sign a student confidentiality statement.  The statement states that students understand that they have the responsibility to keep any and all information seen or heard in the performance of their duties confidential.  Student employees may not copy, remove, or allow unauthorized access to institutional documents, files, or mailing lists.

Any violation of this confidentiality agreement will result in immediate dismissal.