WORK PROGRAM

2005 - 2006 College of the Ozarks Catalog

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OBJECTIVE

The primary objective of the College work program is to provide meaningful, worthwhile work experiences through which each participating student can contribute toward the costs of his or her education. Such desirable virtues as independence, self-accomplishment and achievement by one’s own efforts can be developed at College of the Ozarks under this program. In addition, the work experience provides students the opportunities to develop personal habits of industry, promptness, dependability, cooperativeness and initiative, as well as channels for self-discovery and accomplishment not always found in purely academic experiences. Participation in the work program is required of all full-time students.

MANAGEMENT

The overall management of the work program is the duty of the Dean of Work, who assigns all students to their work stations and determines changes in work assignments. The Dean of Work seeks to fit students to the jobs on the basis of expressed interest, experience and ability, with necessary consideration given to available openings and the needs of the College. Work assignments are normally made on a priority basis, with presently enrolled students getting first chance at available openings. Incoming students are assigned, initially, to jobs which are important but which are not, in many cases, as highly sought after as are some of the others. Students may later earn transfers to jobs of greater priority or those more closely related to their fields of study. After receiving job assignments, students report to their job areas, and the area work supervisors instruct and supervise them in their duties.

REQUIREMENTS AND REGULATIONS

The requirements and regulations of the work program are carefully explained to all beginning students. Each full-time student works 15 hours per week during the 16-week fall semester and the 16-week spring semester. In addition, each full-time student works two 40­hour weeks chosen from the weeks when classes are not in session. A limited number of qualified resident students (those who have considerable financial need) may participate in the 12-week summer work program. Summer work will be credited toward room and board expenses for the academic year.

A daily record of work hours completed by each student is maintained by the area work supervisor. A cumulative record of the work hours of the student is maintained in the Business Office in order that the student may know the total of his or her credit at any time. Work hours cannot be sold, given away or transferred; nor is cash given in exchange for work. However, extra work hours earned by the student over and above the charges for any term accumulate in a special “incidental” account and may be used to offset charges for laundry service and medical expenses at the campus hospital.

WORK PERFORMANCE RECORDS

Work performance records showing the effectiveness of the student on the job are kept by the Dean of Work. A work performance grade is reported to the student at the end of each term. The grade becomes a part of the student’s permanent record stored in the Registrar’s Office. It is based on an evaluation of the student by his or her work supervisor in the following areas:

College of the Ozarks expects not only notable academic performance but also places a high value on performance in the work program. Students are placed on work probation if their work grade falls below a C, and they are given one term to improve or face dismissal from the work program. A grade of F in work performance usually results in immediate dismissal from the work program without a probationary period.

The Dean of Work office maintains a record of the various work assignments each student has had during his or her college career, showing length of time spent on each job and the supervisor’s name. These records are available to students after graduation and can prove helpful in obtaining employment.

All work records are maintained pursuant to the provisions of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (PL 93-380). A student who believes an error has been made in the recording of his/her work grade, or that a grade is unjust, must first contact their work supervisor. If the situation is not resolved, the student may appeal to the Dean of Work.

AREAS OF STUDENT WORK

The areas of student work at College of the Ozarks are many and varied. Some seventy-five students are assigned to the various offices on campus with responsibilities involving computer skills, typing, filing and a broad range of other office skills and functions. In addition, students at College of the Ozarks work in many other areas, as listed below:

Academic Departments: Students earn their required work hours as departmental assistants in the various academic departments, serving as laboratory assistants, helping to prepare study materials, grading tests, or otherwise assisting in the work of their respective areas.

Agriculture: Students are provided an opportunity to get practical experience in the care, management, showmanship and performance testing of registered livestock. They likewise gain experience in the processing of milk and meat products, operating and maintaining a feed mill and various types of field machinery and participating in the increasingly involved record-keeping associated with agricultural operations. The divisions are:

Bonner Community Service Program: Selected students fulfill their work commitments through volunteer service to various community organizations such as the local schools, nursing homes, etc.

Bookstore: Textbooks and other bookstore services are provided in this area staffed by students.

Center for Writing and Thinking: The CWT is an academic support service. The student staff assists other students in completing class writing assignments and other academic tasks. The staff also helps to manage a thirty-station word processing laboratory.

College Press: Student workers receive experience in various aspects of the printing industry, as the Press produces virtually all business and academic forms used by the College, the student newspaper, the college catalog, and does custom printing on a commercial basis. The Press also produces and distributes the OZARK VISITOR, a quarterly periodical with a circulation of over 155,000.

Computer Center: Students work with the most up-to-date equipment in computer programming and operations, processing essential data for the College.

Construction: Students assist in the various aspects of building construction and maintenance, painting, plumbing and heavy equipment operation.

Custodial–North: These students and their supervisor have the janitorial responsibility of the Fieldhouse and the Plaster Business Building.

Custodial–South: These students and their supervisors have the janitorial responsibility of twelve buildings on the south side of the campus.

Day Care Center: Students serve as the day-care attendants to the children of both school-affiliated and non-affiliated personnel.

Dining Hall: Located in the College Center, the Dining Hall involves student workers in all phases of food preparation and serving of daily meals, as well as providing food services for various catered functions throughout the school year.

Dormitory Assistants: Fifty-five students assist in the operation of the six residence halls, working in maintenance or custodial areas, as dormitory clerks and as resident assistants to the housing director in charge.

Electric Shop: Along with their supervisors, students are responsible for the installation, maintenance and repair of all electrical equipment on campus.

Electronics: Students and their supervisors maintain the campus telephone systems; install and maintain time clocks, P.A. systems; and building alarm systems; and service the various electronic equipment on campus.

Fire Department: Four students are given the responsibility of maintaining the campus fire-fighting and rescue vehicles and equipment, regularly checking and servicing the approximately 1000 fire extinguishers in the various campus buildings, and organizing and supervising the selection, training and on-the-scene performance of the college’s volunteer fire department.

Fruitcake and Jelly Kitchen: A staff of students and their supervisors are involved in the production of jellies and the famous C of O fruitcakes, some 30,000 of which are produced annually. They likewise handle the receiving and filling of mail orders for these and other College products.

Heating and Refrigeration: Students and their supervisors are responsible for the installation, repair and servicing of heating and air conditioning systems, icemakers, refrigerators, freezers and related equipment.

Hospital: A professional staff of nurses and doctors is assisted by a staff of students in furnishing medical services.

Keeter Center: Located at the main entrance of the college, The Keeter Center is the largest work area on campus, and utilizes student workers in its operation as a restaurant, gift shop, bakery and fifteen-room lodge. Students working in this area serve as front desk reservationists, bell staff, housekeeping staff, work in food preparation, wait staff, and as cashiers, and are responsible for the maintenance and care of the new Keeter Center facility.

Landscaping: Students work in landscape planning, soil preparation, planting and maintenance of the campus grounds, shrubs and flowers. They likewise gain experience in pest control, plant propagation and greenhouse operation, as they grow most of the plants used for outdoor planting and maintain an outstanding orchid collection.

Laundry: Students working under supervision provide professional laundry services to students, faculty, staff and various campus industries.

Library: This work area provides experience in information retrieval including traditional library skills combined with current technology. Work opportunities include office procedures, patron service, processing and storage of materials and computer skills. Audio-Visual experience includes maintenance, delivery, and use of a variety of equipment.

Machine Shop: Students work as assistant machinists and welders in performing general mechanical work and maintenance of equipment.

Mail Operations: Students process the campus mail and prepare outgoing mail. The students also use computer terminals to update the VIP (Very Important Persons) System, utilizing modern computer technology.

Edwards Mill/Weaving: Students and their supervisor operate this practical, working mill, constructed authentically in the tradition of the early Ozarks. Corn and wheat are ground to form meal, flour and other grain products. Students make handcrafted items such as baskets and learn techniques of dyeing, hand spinning, and traditional loom weaving to produce various woven articles. All student-made products are for sale in the Mill and in The Keeter Center gift shop.

Ralph Foster Museum: Students at the Ralph Foster Museum perform the day to day operations of running a museum in the capacity of cashiers, security guards, and custodial. They assist permanent staff in artifact research, creating labels, and the construction of new displays. They also assist permanent staff in the area of documentation, inventory, and other necessary clerical duties.

OUTLOOK and PHOENIX: The student workers assigned to these two publications, the student newspaper and yearbook, have the responsibility of organizing, publishing and distributing the publications on campus.

Power Plant: This operation produces steam for the campus heating and hot water systems and generates electrical power on a standby basis.

Radio Station: The students assigned to the campus stereo FM radio station work as announcers, writers, operators, engineer’s assistants, and secretarial or office workers.

Security: This area provides experience for Criminal Justice majors as they work directly with (and function as a real part of) the Campus Security staff and system.

Stained Glass and Candles: Students and their supervisor design and create decorative stained glass items of various kinds, as well as specialty candles and stepping stones, for sale in the Keeter Center gift shop.

Switchboard: Students share the responsibility of handling incoming phone calls and maintaining radio contact with the campus security officer on duty and various other college officials.

Transportation: Students who work in this area are involved in the operation, repair and maintenance of the college's cars, trucks and vans. The department provides transportation for off-campus trips and transports goods to the point of use.

Warehouse: Under supervision, students fill requisitions for the various items needed by the industries and offices of the campus, and gain experience in receiving, pricing, stocking and other warehouse operations.

Water Treatment Plant: The McDonald/Southard Water Treatment Plant enables students and their supervisor to process water from Lake Taneycomo for domestic use on campus, replacing the old water supply from deep wells.