Enrollment Agreement

Hour Contracts

During each academic term, students have the following hour expectation based on their contractual hours:

Labor Overloads

A labor overload is defined as working more than 15 hours per week during the regular academic year. When a supervisor submits a contract that exceeds this limit, the system automatically triggers the overload review process, no action is required from the student. Requests are routed to Financial Aid for preliminary review, and approval will specify whether it applies to the academic year, fall term, or spring term. Overloads may continue from term to term within the same academic year if all guidelines remain met.

Overloads cannot be approved retroactively and are subject to periodic review. Approval may be revoked if a student’s primary position hours, performance, or academic performance become less than satisfactory. Student records are reviewed mid-year, and students will be notified if the overload is discontinued.

Guidelines for Approval:

• Sophomore, junior, or senior classification
• Meeting Work-Learning-Service Program requirements in the primary position
• Not on any form of probation
• Enrolled in less than 5 course credits with less than 8 preparations (fall and spring terms only)
• Have a 2.50 GPA, both cumulative and for the previous full term; the required 2.50 cumulative GPA may be waived if a 3.00 GPA is earned during the previous full term.

Requests for over 20 hours are subject to the following additional guidelines:

• Junior or senior classification
• 3.00 GPA in the major, overall, and for the previous term
• Submission of a letter outlining the reason for requesting more than 20 hours
• Approval of the Dean of Labor and the Student Admissions and Academic Standing Committee.

These approval guidelines may be waived in cases where student parents must work 20 hours per week in order to receive state childcare benefits (e.g., KTAP), but the application must still be submitted and reviewed.

During periods of non-enrollment (vacation periods, summer practicum), hours must not exceed 40 per week.

First-Year Labor Assignments

First-year students include first-year, international, exchange, and transfer students. In other words, any student attending Berea College for the first time. All first-year students are typically assigned WLS Level 1, ten-hour positions, which they will hold until the end of their first academic year. However, transfer students with relevant experience may be placed at a higher WLS level based on their skills and background.

Students are responsible for securing their own position placements at the conclusion of the first year and each year thereafter. Academic studies and work through the Program are the primary responsibilities of students at Berea College and constitute a full-time load. While work outside the Program is permitted in accordance with the College’s policy, first-year students are encouraged to avoid off-campus employment during their first year to allow time to adjust to academic and campus life.

Exchange, Part-Time, and Non-Degree Students

Exchange students are required to participate fully in the Labor Program. Part-time students are required to participate, but a reduction in hours may be approved by the Dean of Labor depending on the circumstances. 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.

Last Day to Release from a Labor Position

A primary position is confirmed through the Status Form site, where students review and acknowledge their contract before it is processed. This acknowledgment confirms the student’s commitment to the position for the designated period.

Students may request to change positions mid-year by following the steps outlined in the College’s position change policy. For students with sophomore through senior classification, requests to change positions should be made by the last day to drop a class without a “W” appearing on the transcript. (This date occurs one week after the first day of class in the fall and spring terms and earlier in Summer One and Summer Two terms. Please refer to the academic calendar for official dates.) Changes requested after this deadline will require approval from the Program Office.

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.