Introduction

Purpose of the Operating Procedures

These procedures will acquaint the faculty and staff with Northeastern and provide information about working conditions and employee benefits with NJC. It describes many employee responsibilities and college procedures, and outlines the programs developed to benefit faculty and staff.

These guidelines and procedures support the employment relationship.  Nothing in these procedures should be considered a guarantee for certain privileges, working conditions, or continued employment.

Who is covered by these procedures?

These guidelines and procedures apply to administrative, professional-technical, faculty, and classified staff, full and part-time as noted in each procedure.

Manual Contents and Revisions

This manual describes guidelines and common practices.  Because no one can foresee all situations that might arise, Northeastern reserves the right to deviate from the guidelines and practices outlined in these procedures, if in the college’s sole judgment, such deviation is warranted based on the facts of a particular situation.

No operating procedure can anticipate every circumstance or question.  Accordingly, NJC may need to change the practices and guidelines described in this manual.  Northeastern reserves the right to do so at its sole discretion.  Revisions may include changing, rescinding, or adding to any procedures, benefits, or practices described in this manual.  Revisions may be made without prior notice to employees.  It is the employee’s responsibility to keep a personal copy of the operating procedures up-to-date by immediately inserting revisions when issued.

If other verbal or written communications issued prior or subsequent to the distribution of this manual appear to change any of the manual’s contents, the procedure(s) and/or guideline(s) set forth in this manual will be considered the official position/practice of the college until such time that a written revision of the manual contents, signed by the President, is issued.  Changes in procedures, benefits or practices will not change the mutual “at-will” relationship, except by a written agreement, drawn up specifically for that purpose, and signed by the employee and the College President.

Your Responsibility Regarding This Manual

Employees are expected to read, understand, and comply with the procedures and guidelines set forth in this manual.  This manual is the property of Northeastern.

Other Forms of Communication

Northeastern recognizes that its continued success depends in large part on its faculty and staff. Northeastern values good relations with employees as a sound business practice in the best interest of everyone.  To a very large extent, good relations mean good communications, verbal and written.

In addition to these guidelines and procedures, communications of general interest will be announced verbally at staff meetings, by e-mail, voice-mail, through campus mail, or on the bulletin board in Walker Hall.  To keep fully informed, faculty and staff should regularly read the communications posted or those that are sent via multiple methods.  All faculty and staff members are required to learn to use all the communication methods listed above.

To further ensure that internal communications are effective, periodic staff meetings will be scheduled.  Meeting dates and times will be posted on e-mail or sent through campus mail.  All employees are expected to attend staff meetings.

What is Expected of Northeastern Employees?

To ensure quality customer service, each Northeastern employee is expected to:

• Read and follow the procedures and guidelines established in this manual and other College manuals or management memos.
• Perform duties as assigned.  At Northeastern there is no such thing as, “It’s not my job.”  Doing whatever is necessary to meet Northeastern's goals and customer needs is everyone’s job.
• Always conduct him/herself in a polite, professional manner, treating students and co-workers courteously and respectfully.
• Immediately report any problems with facilities, equipment, or students to the supervisor.
• Perform all job duties safely.
• Produce quality work.
• Provide honest, truthful, and accurate information regarding work history, education, and training.  Falsification of employment records (including preemployment data such as resumé or employment application), time records, expense reports, and other company records is grounds for corrective action up to and including immediate termination regardless of length of employment when the falsification is discovered.

Ethics at Northeastern Junior College

Employees are expected to adhere to the highest standards of personal, professional, and business ethics.  Employees are expected to always use common sense and good judgment about the way they conduct themselves when on duty or representing the College.  Honesty, respect, and care in dealings with others on the job in performing duties and in dealings with students, vendors, and visitors should be standard benchmarks of personal behavior.  It is important to avoid even the appearance of unethical behavior in all business relationships.  Northeastern’s success requires ethical actions.  Employees should contact supervisors with any questions or concerns regarding business ethics at Northeastern.  Engaging in unethical conduct may result in corrective action up to and including termination of employment.  “Unethical conduct” includes but is not limited to:

• Engaging in business conduct which is damaging to Northeastern’s reputation (see BP 3-70, Conflict of Interest);
• Disclosing or misusing confidential or proprietary information belonging to the College or its students or staff members;
• Accepting gifts, entertainment, services, or other benefits where the purpose is to unduly influence Northeastern’s business decisions (See Purchasing Rules and Regulations);
• Representing or discussing College affairs with the media without contacting the President;
• Undermining business decisions, unless they are perceived to be illegal or dishonest;
• Using College confidential information, facilities, supplies, and/or merchandise for personal matters, gain, reasons, etc.;
• Fraternization with students, which may expose the college and individuals, involved to potential legal liability and litigation.

How to Use The Operating Procedures Manual

Northeastern procedures and guidelines are based on three different sources:

• BP (Board Policies- State Board for Community Colleges and Occupational Education of Colorado(SBCCOE)
• SP (System President Procedures-Colorado Community College System)
• IP (Institutional Operating Procedures-Northeastern)

Throughout this manual, all procedures are labeled in one of the three above-listed manners.  Table of Contents for the SBCCOE Board Policies and Colorado Community College System (CCCS) President’s Procedures have been included following the last institutional operating procedure (IP).  It lists every applicable personnel and operating procedure by name and number.  All state and board policies referred to throughout this publication are included immediately following the CCCS President’s Procedures Table of Contents.  Infrequently referred to Board Policies and CCCS President’s Procedures have not been included in this hard copy.  It is still the faculty and staff member’s responsibility to be aware that additional policies/procedures do exist.  Employees may access any of the policies/procedures by visiting the Northeastern Human Resources Office in Walker Hall, Room 102, or by locating these policies on the Internet at:

CCCS WebsiteState of Colorado Website

Additional information is available in the following reference booklets available through the Vice President for Student Services Office:

Academic Standards

• Class Attendance (Section 3.1 & 3.4)
• Faculty Authority (Section 7.2) 
• Academic Integrity (Section 7.9)
• Classroom Disciplinary Process (Section 3.20 & 3.21)

Student Handbook

• Academic Guidelines & Procedures (Section 2.0)
• Faculty Authority in the Classroom Experience (Section 3.09)

Please refer to the Northeastern Table of Contents for a quick reference when looking for information.  Faculty and staff members are also welcome to call the Human Resources Office anytime with questions at ext. 6661 or ext. 6730.

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION STATEMENT

Northeastern is committed to diversity in its people and programs.  The College is an equal opportunity educational institution and will not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, age, disability, sex or veteran status in its activities, programs or employment practices.  If you believe that any of the factors above have entered into the consideration of your application for employment, please contact the Northeastern Director of Human Resources at (970) 521-6730 or e-mail to jeri.estrada@njc.edu.