POLICY #8.0
SUBJECT: Employee Definitions and Classifications
I. PURPOSE
The purpose of this policy is to define and differentiate categories and statuses of employees recognized at Southern Utah University. The definitions and terms in this policy supersede all other University policy language related to the term “employee” and all related definitions, terms, and variations, unless otherwise expressly stated in a particular policy.
II. REFERENCES
A. Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 as Amended, 29 U.S.C. § 8 (FLSA)
B. Southern Utah University Policy 5.32 Part-Time and Temporary Employment
C. Southern Utah University Policy 6.0 Faculty Definition
D. Southern Utah University Policy 6.2 Academic Officers
E. Southern Utah University Policy 6.25 Academic Administrative Personnel Returning to Teaching
F. Southern Utah University Policy 6.28 Faculty Professional Responsibility and Due Process
G. Southern Utah University Policy 7.7 University Contracts
H. Southern Utah University Policy 8.3.2 Probationary Period of Employment
I. Southern Utah University Policy 8.3.5 Termination Non-Academic Staff & Disciplinary Sanctions
J. Utah Code § 34A-2-104.5 Nongovernment entity volunteers
K. Utah Code § 53H-3-303 Duties and responsibilities of the president of an institution of higher
education
L. Utah System of Higher Education Policy R811 Guidelines for Classification of Non-Exempt
Personnel
M. Utah System of Higher Education Policy R205 Presidential Appointment, Compensation, and
Benefits
III. DEFINITIONS
- Administrative Officer: An individual in a senior leadership position with significant decision-making authority, operational autonomy, and responsibility for shaping institutional policy and strategy. Such positions, sometimes referred to as “Executives,” are designated as Administrative Officers under Utah Code § 53H-3-303 and serve at the will of the University President, unless otherwise specified by contract. Administrative Officers include the Provost, Vice Presidents, General Counsel, Chief of Police, Associate and Assistant Vice Presidents, Associate and Assistant Provosts, Academic Deans (see SUU Policy 6.25), Director of the Library, and the Senior Leader of Athletics, Utah Shakespeare Festival, and Utah Summer Games. The University President, pursuant to USHE Policy R205, serves at the will of the Utah Board of Higher Education.
- At-Will: An employment relationship that may be terminated at any time by the University or the employee, with or without cause or notice, subject to applicable law. Positions may be designated as At-will based on the nature of the role and institutional determination.
- Benefits Eligible: A position that meets eligibility requirements for University benefits as determined by FTE (.75 or greater), job classification, and applicable law.
- Contractor: An individual or entity that provides services to the University under a contractual agreement and is not classified as a University Employee. Contractors are responsible for their own tax obligations and are not eligible for University employment benefits or privileges. See SUU Policy 7.7.
- Employee: An individual employed by the University. Employees receive a W-2 from the University for their work
- Faculty: See SUU Policy 6.0.
- FLSA Classification (Exempt or Non-exempt): The designation of a position as Exempt or Non exempt from the overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, as determined by Human Resources based on FLSA requirements, applicable law, and employment duties.
- Full-Time Equivalent (FTE): A measure of workload representing the proportion of a full-time schedule assigned to a position, where 1.0 FTE equals a full-time workload.
- Job Description: A document that identifies the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and other requirements of a position.
- Staff: An Employee who is not classified as Faculty or an Administrative Officer and who is compensated for services from funds controlled by the University, regardless of the funding source, duties, compensation level, or FTE.
- Student Employee: A University student enrolled in six or more credit hours and who is making satisfactory progress towards obtaining a degree who is employed Part-time by the University. Student employees are limited on the amount of hours they may work for the University.
- Part-time: An appointment of less than 1.0 FTE.
- Probationary: An initial six-month period of employment in an Ongoing Staff position during which the University and the Employee evaluate the suitability of the employment relationship. A probationary period begins upon hire, transfer, or promotion into a new position. During this period, the Employee serves in an At-will capacity. See SUU Policy 8.3.2.
- Ongoing: An appointment type of a continuous nature, and not on a Limited basis.
- Limited: An appointment with a defined end date or duration based on time or term.
- Emergency appointment: A short-term appointment made to address an immediate or temporary need, limited to a duration of 12 months.
- Fund Limited: An appointment in which continued employment is contingent upon the availability of designated funding, such as grant funding.
- Seasonal: An appointment of six months or less associated with a specific short-term season or recurring operational need, including certain Employees appointed for purposes serving Utah Summer Games and the Utah Shakespeare Festival.
- Temporary: An appointment expected to last less than 9 months.
- Time Limited: An appointment for a fixed period with a defined end date that does not meet the definition of a Temporary appointment and is not contingent on the availability of funding.
- Volunteer: An individual who provides services to the University without pay or other compensation, except reimbursement of actual and reasonable expenses incurred, as approved by Human Resources and the applicable supervisor. See Utah Code § 34A-2-104.5.
IV. POLICY
- The definitions stated in this Policy are made the official definitions of those defined terms for purposes of university policies and practices relating to University Employees and the University’s Human Resources functions.
- Human Resources assigns and maintains each employee’s category, general classifications, and appointment type in accordance with applicable law and University policy, and University policies are applied based on these classifications.
- Employee Categories:
Each employee has a primary assignment to one of the following categories:
- Administrative Officer
- Faculty
- Staff
- Student Employee
- Employee General Classifications:
Each position is classified by Human Resources according to the following:
- Workload Designation: Part-time or full-time
- FLSA Classification: Exempt or Non-exempt
- Benefits Eligibility: Eligible or Non-eligible
- At-will Designation: At-will or not At-will
- Appointment Type: Ongoing or Limited by time, term, funding, season, or other
specified conditions.
- Disciplinary processes and procedures are found in SUU policies 8.3.5 and 6.28.
VI. QUESTIONS/RESPONSIBLE OFFICE
The responsible office for this Policy is the Vice President for Finance. For questions about this Policy, contact the Office of Human Resources.