Enrollment Agreement

Exchange, Part-Time, and Non-Degree Students

Exchange students are required to participate fully in the Work College Program. Part-time students are also required to participate, though a reduction in hours may be approved by the Dean for the Work College Program depending on the circumstances. Non-degree students are permitted to participate in the Work College Program, provided funding is available and all degree-seeking students have already been assigned.

First-Year Assignments

First-year students, defined as incoming first-year, international, exchange, and transfer students attending Berea College for the first time, are assigned centrally by the Work College Program Office. Once students confirm their enrollment for the fall term, they submit a resume and an interest form detailing their skills, experience, and preferences. The Program Office reviews this information and places each student in a position directly; supervisors are not involved in reviewing candidates or selecting students for first-year placements.

All first-year students are assigned WLS Level 1, ten-hour positions for their first academic year (August through May), though a position change is possible mid-year through the process outlined below. Two of these ten weekly hours are fulfilled through First-Year Summit, a required weekly cohort-based experience that supports the transition into Path to Purpose by building community, connecting work to learning, reflecting on strengths and growth areas, and developing the skills and habits needed for success in college, work, and life. Transfer students may be assigned a higher WLS level depending on relevant prior work experience.

Centralized placement for first-year students helps ensure equity, since incoming students are not yet in a position to promote themselves to prospective supervisors. While many first-year positions are in service areas, students are placed in departments across campus depending on availability. A student's first position emphasizes transferable skills, such as punctuality, accountability, initiative, and communication, while giving the student time to acclimate to college life and explore future interests.

First-year students are not normally permitted an overload during their first year. A first-year student may request a mid-year position change; however, any new position must also be a WLS Level 1 position, and the request must follow the standard Position Change Process.

Academic study and work-learning through the Work College Program are a student's primary responsibilities at Berea College and together constitute a full-time load. While outside work is permitted in accordance with College 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.

Hour Contracts

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

Last Day to Change A 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.

A change to a primary position can only occur within a term, on or before the Last Day to Change a Position, as noted in the academic calendar, unless the change is warranted by a disciplinary action, a medical reason, or a Work College Program administrative condition. This date occurs one week after the first day of class in any term; refer to the academic calendar for the official date. Requests made after this deadline require approval from the Work College Program Office.

Students wishing to change positions between the Fall and Spring terms should follow the Position Change Process, which has its own separate timeline and required form.

A student is responsible for confirming that their position is contracted at the correct WLS level. A student who believes their WLS level is incorrect should notify both the Work College Program and their supervisor as soon as possible. A WLS level cannot be corrected retroactively once a term has ended.

Note: First-year students are assigned to a position for the entire academic year, but may request a mid-year change into another WLS Level 1 position by following the Position Change Process, with approval from the Work College Program Office.

Overloads

An overload is defined as working more than fifteen 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 specifies whether it applies to the full 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, work-learning performance, or academic performance become less than satisfactory. Student records are reviewed mid-year, and students are notified if an overload is discontinued.

Guidelines for Approval

• Sophomore, junior, or senior classification
• Meeting Work College Program requirements in the primary position
• Not on any form of probation
• Enrolled in fewer than five course credits with fewer than eight preparations (fall and spring terms only)
• A 2.50 GPA, both cumulative and for the previous full term; the cumulative GPA requirement may be waived if a 3.00 GPA was earned during the previous full term

Requests for more than 20 hours are subject to additional guidelines:

• Junior or senior classification
• A 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 from the Dean for the Work College Program and the Student Admissions and Academic Standing Committee

These approval guidelines may be waived in cases where a student parent must work 20 hours per week to receive state childcare benefits, such as KTAP, though an application must still be submitted and reviewed.

During periods of non-enrollment, such as vacation periods or summer practicum, hours must not exceed 40 hours per week.