237 Schine
Student Center
Syracuse NY
13244-2070
315-443-3051
fax: 315-443-3365
cpcs@syr.edu
 

 

Literacy Corps Policies & Procedures(Go Back)


SU Literacy Corps (SULC) tutors hold different roles depending on the work environment: volunteer, employee, role model, student, etc. As such, there are various expectations and codes of conduct based on these roles. This section of the manual outlines the policies and procedures for all tutors to follow. Tutors are expected to act professionally and responsibly at all times and, most importantly, remember while in school as tutors they are an influential role model for their students.

Appearance Training & Reflection Sessions
Attendance/Shift Responsibilities Transportation
Attitude/Demeanor Weather Related Conditions
Communication Disciplinary Action/Procedures
Confidentiality Federal Work Study
Field Trips to Campus Reports/Forms
Professionalism Timesheet/Payroll
References and Resume Student Employee Rights and Responsiblities

Appearance

The dress code for the SULC is causal but professional. Tutors are provided with an SULC t-shirt and nametag. For security and identification reasons, it is imperative (and mandatory) for tutors to wear their shirts and nametags when at their sites. T-shirts may be worn tucked in or out, but not altered in any way that may be deemed inappropriate or offensive (such as being cut off or tied up). Tutors can purchase additional t-shirts for $10. Appropriate dress includes khakis and jeans, but not jeans that are worn or ripped.

Attendance Policies/Shift Responsibilities

Tutors are responsible for each shift they are scheduled to work. The Center for Public and Community Service (CPCS) schedules transportation and site visits around the schedules provided by tutors. Site supervisors and students come to rely upon the consistent schedule provided. If tutors need to request time off, they must do so in advance. If using van service, tutors must notify CPCS, Dispatch, and their site supervisor if they are going to be absent. The following is an explanation of attendance policies and procedures:

Sick day- CPCS allots each tutor 2 (unpaid) sick days per academic year or one per semester if the tutor only works for one semester. If an individual is sick for more than 2 days, they need to provide CPCS with a note from Health Services or an appropriate Health Care Provider. The following procedure should be observed when using a sick day:

  • Contact site/site supervisor before 8:00 a.m. to notify them of impending absence.
  • Contact CPCS before 8:00 a.m. to cancel transportation. Leaving a voicemail message is acceptable. Please let staff know the reason for absence, the time you contacted your site, and the time you contacted Dispatch if you take transportation.
  • If transportation is scheduled, contact Dispatch before 8:00 a.m. to notify them of impending absence.
  • Record an "S" on timesheet for date of absence.

Approved Absence- An approved absence is one that has been agreed upon by the tutor, site supervisor, and staff of the SULC at least 48 working hours in advance of the absence. CPCS allots each tutor 2 (unpaid) approved absences per academic year or one per semester if the tutor only works one semester. The following procedure should be followed when planning an approved absence:

  • Arrange the day with site supervisor at least 48 working hours in advance.
  • Inform CPCS of absence at least 48 working hours in advance.
  • Cancel transportation, if scheduled, before the day of the absence.
  • Record an "AA" on timesheet for the date of approved absence.

Following these procedures is a work requirement for tutors. The procedures help maintain a positive working relationship with sites, ensure the accuracy of employee time records, model a professional work environment, and keep transportation running on time. Failure to meet these requirements or abide by the above procedures results in disciplinary action.

Attitude/Demeanor

While individuals certainly have their own personality and teaching/learning style, we ask tutors to convey an attitude of professionalism, enthusiasm, and sincere interest in their work. As previously mentioned, children take behavioral cues from adults and value the trust from these relationships.

Communication

Because of the large number of tutors and the need to keep everyone up to date on issues as they occur, CPCS uses e-mail and regularly scheduled debriefings to communicate. CPCS maintains an email distribution list for all tutors. Tutors are expected to check emails daily and update CPCS on any changes in their email address. Tutors are welcome to meet with CPCS staff at any time to discuss their experiences or any issues that arise.

Confidentiality

Tutors work closely with students, teachers, guidance counselors, school administrators and site supervisors. As part of their position, tutors may be privy to confidential and "sensitive" information while tutoring and should hold in complete confidence any personal information they learn.

Field Trips to Campus

Although the SULC hopes that tutors will build a relationship with their students, tutees may not accompany their tutors to campus either for a field trip or for recreation. Because of the risks associated with bringing students to campus, only SULC organized visits or trips organized by a tutor's site are permissible. If a tutor wishes to explore a visit to campus, CPCS must be contacted to oversee and negotiate arrangements.

Professionalism

Tutors are expected to behave in a professional manner at all times. This includes contact with SULC staff, site supervisors, and other school personnel. When at a site, tutors must be working with students. Personal business may not be handled during working hours. This includes cell phone use, schoolwork, and other inappropriate behaviors.

References and Resume

While the SULC tutors are paid through Federal Work-Study (FWS) funds, the Syracuse City School District (SCSD) considers them to be volunteers. Tutors should list CPCS and the SULC as their employer when representing their tutoring work on their resume as CPCS maintains all employee files. CPCS staff can verify employment dates to prospective employers and will gladly complete recommendation forms when appropriate and when given at least 2 weeks notice.

Timesheet/Payroll

The Syracuse University payroll schedule for hourly employees runs from Thursday to Wednesday. To receive a weekly paycheck without interruption, timesheets must be turned in each Wednesday before 5:00 p.m. Tutors are expected to stop by the CPCS office each Wednesday to drop off their timesheet and pick up their paycheck or direct deposit stub. At that time, any program updates are shared. Tutors who have issues with this process are required to talk with CPCS staff regarding their concerns. The tutor's site supervisor must sign timesheets. It is not acceptable to have a site supervisor sign the timesheet before the tutor completes it. Unless a timesheet is signed by the site supervisor and turned in to the office by 5 p.m. on Wednesday, a paycheck cannot be processed. Time sheets can only be submitted in person by the tutor unless prior arrangements have been made with the SULC staff. The submission of an unexcused late timesheet is taken very seriously in this program and will initiate disciplinary action. In the fall of 2003 CPCS adopted a 3 strikes your out policy regarding late timesheets. This means that 3 late timesheets will result in a dismissal from the program.

Training & Reflection Sessions

Tutors are required to attend all training and reflection sessions. Training dates are distributed at the beginning of each semester. Every effort is made by CPCS staff to schedule training sessions around the tutors' academic schedules. If a tutor has a conflict with a scheduled training time, they should notify the SULC staff of the conflict at least 2 weeks in advance.

Transportation Procedures

The Center for Public and Community Service (CPCS) transports over 200 students to various Syracuse City schools and non-profit agencies in the community every week. The use of the van service is a benefit of employment with CPCS. The transportation is not a point-to-point service; riders must be at their designated pick-up location at the time arranged at the beginning of the semester. As with any public transportation system, if individuals miss their scheduled run, the van will not return to pick them up. Individuals who continually miss the van will be asked to find another means of transportation. CPCS discourages the use of site placement and/or school staff for transportation. Tutors who need transportation should follow the outlined procedures to request this service.

Transportation Request Process

  1. Fill out a Request for Transportation form (included in the Resources section of the manual) for each day of the week that transportation is needed. These requests must be filled out one week in advance of the date that transportation is to begin. Tutors should consider "travel time" when filling out the request. Submitting this request does not guarantee transportation. Tutors must complete step 2 to verify an approved request.
  2. Return to the CPCS office and pick up a Transportation Memo for each request filed. The memo notifies tutors of their pick-up and drop-off times. It is imperative that tutors return to pick up the memo before they begin transportation. Transportation memos can be picked up one day prior to their first day of tutoring (e.g. pick up a Tuesday memo on Monday). If transportation begins on Monday, the memo can be retrieved on the Friday before. Since no one is permitted to board the van without confirmation, riders present their SUID upon boarding.
  3. Always arrive 10 to 15 minutes early for van pick-up either on campus or at respective tutoring sites. The van departs from College Place between Slocum and Lyman Halls.

Transportation Cancellation Process

In accordance with the procedure outlined in the section Attendance/Shift Responsibilities, tutors must cancel their transportation on days they are sick, have an approved absence, or have made other transportation arrangements. If a tutor needs to cancel transportation he or she must:

  1. Contact Dispatch at 443-4566
  2. Contact CPCS at 443-3051
  3. Contact site placement

If transportation has been missed, the above cancellation procedure should be followed. CPCS cannot reschedule missed transportation. If tutors miss their transportation and make other arrangements to get to their site, they must still contact Dispatch and CPCS to let them know if return transportation is needed. Tutors must also contact their site if they will be late for their shift. If tutors fail to follow the above communication procedure, they will be subject to disciplinary action. If tutors have concerns or suggestions related to the transportation system, they should discuss such matters with a professional CPCS staff member.

Weather Related Cancellations

During the winter months, the Syracuse City School District (SCSD) may cancel classes due to extreme weather conditions. CPCS cancels transportation when schools are closed or when road conditions are poor. Tutors should watch the major TV stations (ABC, CBS, NBC) or listen to radio stations to determine if schools have been closed. They may also contact Dispatch to see if transportation service has been cancelled.

Disciplinary Action/Procedures

In accordance with the Student Employment Office's Disciplinary Action policy, failure on the part of a tutor to meet job expectations or follow appropriate procedures as outlined in this manual will result in disciplinary action. The Center for Public and Community Service (CPCS) staff makes every effort to follow a three-step discipline process:

  • A verbal warning for the first offense
  • A written warning and an assignment of "probationary status" for a second offense
  • Suspension and/or termination will result for any additional offenses

CPCS staff reserves the right to place a tutor on immediate probation.

Members of the CPCS staff recognize that the tutoring position is a learning experience. The above disciplinary process is followed in an effort to facilitate the development of positive workplace skills and behaviors. However, in some instances, a tutor's behavior may warrant more extreme action such as when a timesheet is altered, which is considered a federal offense. CPCS staff members reserve the right to immediately suspend or terminate a tutor in such circumstances. Examples of such circumstances include, but are not limited to:

  • Not monitoring work-study allotment or changing on-campus work status without notifying or asking permission from SU Literacy Corps (SULC) staff
  • Falsifying a timesheet
  • Consuming or being under the influence of intoxicants or illegal drugs while working
  • Deliberate insubordination
  • Theft of University or student property
  • Failure to adhere to school/site policies
Federal Work-Study Earnings Information

The SU Literacy Corps (SULC) is a response to President Clinton's "America Reads Challenge." The Challenge provides Federal Work-Study (FWS) funding for college students to tutor in the community. Tutors involved with the SULC must have a FWS award in order to participate. If a tutor uses their work-study allotment before the end of the academic year, they cannot continue tutoring. It is the tutor's responsibility to monitor his/her FWS throughout the academic year. Because the tutor pay rate is higher than a typical work-study position, the FWS award depletes more quickly. In an effort to prevent the depletion of the FWS award before the end of the semester, the Center for Public and Community Service (CPCS) asks tutors to be aware of the following:
  • Tutors typically work from 8 to 15 hours per week depending on their FWS allotment. The Student Employment website (http://seo.syr.edu/students/fws.htm) provides an excellent chart that suggests a certain number of hours per week based on a student's work-study allotment and pay rate.
  • CPCS must be listed as the tutor's primary employer (see other employers to arrange this). This listing helps CPCS monitor FWS use more closely.
  • Tutors may not hold other FWS positions on campus. Tutors who feel they must work another position for financial reasons can receive additional tutoring hours. If tutors still feel they need to hold an additional position, they should speak with a member of the CPCS staff.
Reports/Form

Not only do the above guidelines help prevent the premature depletion of a FWS allotment, but they also prevent early departure from tutoring sites which ultimately affects the children. The SULC prides itself on the relationships that are built between tutors, site supervisors, and children. Tutors are expected to complete two reports in a timely fashion: The Daily Tutoring Report and the Reflection Connection. While the Book Log is not required, it can be a useful tutoring tool. Examples of these three forms are included in the Resources section of this manual. Copies are available in the Literacy Corps office and can also be downloaded from the SU Literacy Corps (SULC)/forms link on the Center for Public and Community Service (CPCS) website at .

Student Employee Rights and Responsibilities

The Center for Public and Community Service (CPCS) seeks to provide a positive educational experience for tutors and children in a safe and healthy work environment. The Syracuse University Student Employment Office provides a detailed list of the rights and responsibilities of student employees on its website (http://www.sumweb.syr.edu/seo). The website also includes information about the Syracuse University Sexual Harassment Policy. Information regarding a safe and healthy work environment, including the Syracuse University Sexual Harassment Policy, is included in tutor training. What follows is a brief overview of the definition of sexual harassment and the types of behavior harassment might include. The complete policy can be found in the SU Student Handbook.

What is sexual harassment?

As defined by the Syracuse University, sexual harassment is:

…unwelcome behavior of a sexual nature that relates to the gender or sexual identity of an individual and that has the purpose of creating an intimidating or hostile environment for student, work, or social living. (Syracuse University Handbook, 2002)

Harassment may include:

  • Verbal harassment or abuse
  • Unnecessary touching, patting, or pinching
  • Leering or ogling of a person's body
  • Constant brushing against a person's body
  • Subtle requests for sexual favors
  • Sexual demands accompanied by overt or implied threat concerning one's job performance, recommendation, promotion, etc. (Syracuse University Handbook, 2002)
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Just as tutors are expected to not engage in any of the above behaviors in their work settings, they should not tolerate the above behaviors directed towards them. As discussed in training, if tutors are placed in an uncomfortable situation at any time, they should immediately contact a professional member of the CPCS staff.

 
 
© 2004 Syracuse University - Mary Ann Shaw Center for Public and Community Service (CPCS)