Goals, Objectives, and Evaluation Procedures
The Knoxville College Work Program exists as a vital complement to the mission and purpose of the institution, enriching both the students and the community. Participation in the Work Program provides students with economic benefits through the reduction of college expenses, and educational benefits in the form of valuable experience in a variety of work environments augmenting and enhancing classroom assignments. Moreover, the students create established work records in their chosen fields, which records can be provided to prospective employers along with the students’ academic transcripts. Finally, the students receive intangible benefits associated with providing valuable services to the institution and to the community.
This program is patterned after successful work programs at other institutions with backgrounds similar to that of Knoxville College.
All Knoxville College students are required to participate in the Work Program, progressing through the following four levels:
Level I – Campus Work Assignments:
Most first-year students will be assigned various responsibilities on campus where they will be allowed to demonstrate their abilities and work habits. Students at this level will be expected to work an average of 11 hours per week. Typical Level I assignments involve work in the dining hall, grounds maintenance, physical plant, clerical positions, etc. The first level of the Work Program is designed to:
a. Encourage self-development in the student workers during their first year at the
College;
b. Enhance the interpersonal skills of the student workers, enabling
them to work as part of a team; and
c. Provide the student workers with opportunities to demonstrate their abilities and improve work habits where necessary.
Evaluation.
Students at the first level of the Work Program will enroll in the two-semester, non-credit course, Campus Work (WP 198-199). Enrollment in this course will be coordinated by the Work Program Coordinator, who will assign students to various departments on campus. Assignments will be determined on the basis of individual skills and interests, institutional needs, and job availability. Students at this level are expected to demonstrate good attendance, good work habits, a willingness to follow directions, and an ability to work well with others. Students at Level I will work eleven (11) hours per week and will attend a seminar at the end of each month which will review their experiences and provide a forum for discussing their assignments. The seminar will also assist in recognizing and addressing any problems or concerns.
Each student’s work supervisor will be designated by the campus department to which the student is assigned. The supervisor will maintain records of student attendance, conduct monthly evaluations in consultation with the student worker, and provide the Work Program Coordinator with copies of such information. On the basis of that information, the Work Program Coordinator will assign grades of Satisfactory (“S”) or Unsatisfactory (“U”) for each student at mid-term and at the end of each semester, although exceptional problems may be addressed at any time during the year. A grade of “S” at the end of the second semester will enable the student to advance to the next level of the Work Program, while a grade of “U” will indicate that the student worker has not yet completed all requirements at current level and must be reassigned to that level.
Level II – Community Involvement:
The second level of the Work Program is designed to furnish service to the community by providing capable student workers to assist non-profit agencies and organizations. Most second-level students will be assigned to community agencies. The objectives of Level II are to:
a. Instill in students an understanding of the need for and value of community involvement and volunteer service without thought of compensation;
b. Provide local organizations and agencies with needed additional workers; and
c. Reinforce the Knoxville College tradition of community service.
Evaluation.
Students at the second level of the Work Program will enroll in the two-semester, non-credit course, Community Service (WP 298-299). Enrollment in this course will be coordinated by the Work Program Coordinator, who will assign students to positions on the basis of individual skills and interest, community need, and job availability. As at the first level, students are expected to demonstrate excellent attendance, good work habits, a willingness to follow directions, and an ability to work well with others. In addition, students at the second level are expected to demonstrate an appreciation for the mission and purpose of the organization to which they have been assigned and to provide a meaningful contribution to its efforts in the community. Students at this level will work an average of eleven hours per week and will attend a monthly seminar which will review their experiences and provide a forum for discussing their assignments. The seminar will also assist in recognizing and addressing problems or concerns. In addition, each semester students will provide a written report that summarizes the objectives of the organization with which they have been involved and describes their individual contribution.
Students will be supervised at the second level by individuals designated by the agency or organization to which they have been assigned. The supervisors will maintain records of student attendance, will conduct monthly evaluations in consultation with the student workers, and will provide the Work Program Coordinator with copies of such information. On the basis of that information, together with the students’ written reports, the Work Program Coordinator will assign a grade of Satisfactory (“S”) or Unsatisfactory (“U”) for each student at mid-term and at the end of each semester, although exceptional problems may be addressed at any time during the year. A grade of “S” at the end of the second semester will allow a student to advance to the next level of the work program, while a grade of “U” will indicate that the student worker has not yet completed all requirements at current level and must be reassigned to that level.
Level III – Internship Program:
Most students at the third level will be assigned to positions with community businesses and employers, with a goal of providing students with initial exposure to the workplace. The objectives of Level III are to
a. Introduce student workers to the standards and procedures of the working world and to enhance their ability to take responsibility in the workplace environment; and
b. Establish or enhance partnerships between Knoxville College and employers in the community by providing a talented pool of workers.
Evaluation.
Students at the third level of the Work Program will enroll in the two-semester, non-credit course, Internship (WP 398-399). Enrollment in this course will be coordinated by the Work Program Director, who will assign students in consultation with their faculty advisors to positions on the basis of individual skills, interest, and job availability. In addition to the skills associated with the first two levels, students at Level III will be required to demonstrate their awareness of normal workplace activity and expectations through written reports each semester which conform to the standards of the businesses or agencies to which they have been assigned. Students will work an average of ten hours per week and will receive two site visits each semester by the Work Program Director or his/her designee and/or their faculty advisors.
The student’s work supervisor at the third level will be an individual designated by the company or agency to which the student has been assigned. This individual will maintain records of student attendance, will conduct monthly evaluations in consultation with the student worker, and will provide the Work Program Director with copies of such information. On the basis of that information, the student’s written reports, and the site visits, the Work Program Director will assign a grade of Satisfactory (“S”) or Unsatisfactory (“U”) for each student at mid-term and at the end of each semester, although exceptional problems may be addressed at any time during the year. A grade of “S” at the end of the second semester will enable the student to advance to the next level of the Work Program, while a grade of “U” will indicate that the student worker has not yet completed all requirements at current level and must be reassigned to that level.
Level IV–Externship Education:
Most students at the fourth level of the Work Program will work a minimum of ten hours per week in positions with agencies directly related to their fields of study. This level is designed to provide student workers with a critical first step towards success within their chosen profession. The objectives for the fourth level are to
a. Provide student workers with experience in employment positions set as a component of the educational process; and
b. Extend and enhance the partnerships between Knoxville College and employers in the community by providing a talented pool of potential employees.
Evaluation.
Students at the fourth level of the Work Program will enroll in the two-semester course, Externship II (WP 498-499), and may receive up to a maximum of six hours credit per semester. Enrollment in this course will be coordinated by the Work Program Director in consultation with the student’s faculty advisor. Students will be assigned to companies or organizations which are directly related to their chosen fields of study. They will work a minimum of ten hours per week and will be compensated at a rate of pay which corresponds to industry standards for entry-level employment.
The students’ work supervisors will be determined by the company where they are employed.
Students will be evaluated in a manner comparable to other employees, with the understanding that copies of all evaluations will be forwarded to the Work Program Director and will be shared with the student’s faculty advisor. In addition, students will be visited at their job and evaluated at least twice each semester by their faculty advisors. The student will also update his/her portfolio, including written reports that describe employment and correlate the work experience to previous assignments in the work program. Instructions for the portfolio will be included as a part of Seminar 498-499. A final grade of “S” or “U” will be assigned. The grade will be assigned on the basis of portfolio, the site visits, and the evaluations received from the workplace supervisor. Satisfactory completion of this sequence with a grade of “S” is required for graduation from Knoxville College.
Work Program Standing.
Student workers are expected to maintain excellent attendance at all work assignments and to demonstrate their ability to perform all responsibilities in their assignments with a positive and cooperative attitude. Students will have one academic year or two consecutive terms to progress through each level of the Work Program. Failure to progress through any level in one academic year or two consecutive terms due to insufficient hours, poor evaluations, or any other disciplinary reason will automatically place the student on “work probation.” Students who are on work probation will be subject to the same restrictions as pertain to academic probation and must correct their work deficiencies during the next academic term in which they are enrolled or be subject to suspension from the College. Students who are suspended from the College for deficiencies in the Work Program may reapply after one semester. If they are readmitted, they will remain on work probation for one term, after which they must be eligible to progress to the next level or they will be subject to dismissal from the College.
Appeals.
Any student who is placed on probation or suspension as a result of deficiencies in the work program may appeal that decision to the Dean of Students and to the Dean of Academic Affairs, who will jointly determine if the appeal has merit and if the decision for probation or suspension should be reviewed. The joint decision of the Dean of Student Affairs and the Vice President for Academic Affairs can be overruled only by the President.
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