Student Employment Handbook

Work and Enrollment Hour Policy

Credit Hour Enrollment Requirement

To work on-campus, Kent State University students must be enrolled and maintain at least half-time enrollment (6 credit hours for undergraduate students and 4 credit hours for graduate students) during Fall and Spring semesters. Enrollment in summer classes in not a requirement for employment unless the student wishes to continue their PERS exemption status. Students must maintain enrollment at the minimum required credit hours the entire period in which they are working for Fall and Spring semesters. Audited classes are not considered degree-granting credits and do not count towards the minimum credit hour requirement.

To work between Fall and Spring semesters (winter break), students must have completed enrollment through the Registrar's Office for the Spring semester. To work between Spring and Fall semesters (summer break), students must anticipate Fall semester enrollment through the Registrar's Office and have completed enrollment through the Registrar's Office for the previous Spring semester. Entering Fall freshmen and transfer students must anticipate Fall semester enrollment. Admitted students interested in pursuing post-undergraduate or graduate work immediately following graduation will be required to be enrolled in the 6 credit hour or 4 credit hour minimum required for employment on-campus. Students may be asked to verify their enrollment status.

Dropping Below the Credit Hour Enrollment Requirement

During Fall and/or Spring semesters, dropping below half-time enrollment or graduation will result in a loss of student employment eligibility. No exceptions. Students that drop classes and fall below the minimum hours of enrollment or half-time enrollment are required by State of Ohio law to contribute to the Pubic Employees Retirement System (PERS). The PERS contribution is 8.5% of their earnings and will be deducted retroactive to the beginning of the affected term of employment. Their employment is terminated immediately. Summer employment may continue because enrollment during summer break is not required for employment. However, if the student is not contributing to PERS, a retroactive 8.5% PERS contribution will be deducted from their summer earnings. PERS contributions affect not only the student's paycheck, but also the employing department's budget.

Maximum Work Hours & Work Hour Guidelines

Student employees may be employed by more than one Kent State University department but it is recommended that the student's total work hours not exceed 30 hours per week while classes are in session. Departments should advocate that a student's primary responsibility is to be academically successful. Attending classes should be every student's number one priority. Students are not permitted to work during the scheduled time of a class in which they are enrolled.

Students working over 40 hours per week, in one department, should be compensated at time and one-half per hour worked. Hours worked are calculated for each employing department separately. 

The Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) has limited part-time employment for international students to no more than 20 hours per week during the semester.  Allowing an international student to work more than 20 hours per week could have serious implications for the student and the University. International students may work 40 hours per week when classes are not in session (winter and spring break and summer if the student is not registered for classes). International students may incur overtime and should be compensated at time and one-half per hour worked.

Employment Prohibited As Both A University & Student Employee

Students cannot work as both a University employee and a student employee at the same time. Employees of Kent State University, full-time or part-time, in either University or grant funded positions, are not eligible to participate in the Student Employment Program. Student employees are not eligible to participate in full-time or part-time employment through Personnel in either grant funded or University funded positions.

Graduate Students As Student Employees

 A graduate student who has not been awarded a graduate appointment may work on campus as a student employee, provided they maintain at least half-time enrollment (4 credit hours) during the Fall and Spring semesters. A graduate student who has been awarded a graduate appointment and is interested in student employment should check with the Office of the Provost, Academic Personnel (330-672-2220) regarding employment policies as a student employee.

Nepotism

There is no objection to the appointment of multiple members of families to University positions regardless of relationship so long as one family member is not in a position to influence a decision in favor of or against another. Any decisions involving possible direct benefit or detriment to the student employee shall be made by the Director of the Career Services Center, the appointing authority for student employment. Refer to rule 3342-6-32 of the Administrative Code in the University Policy Register.