Student Policies & Procedures

East Carolina University (ECU) offers a variety of student employment opportunities designed to support academic success, provide meaningful work experience, and promote financial well-being. Student positions are classified into several categories, each with specific requirements and responsibilities.

Please Note:

  • It is mandatory that all Hourly, Federal Work-Study, and Undergraduate Research Assistantship positions be posted through the Student Employment Office (SEO) via PeopleAdmin.
  • Students may not hold both an FLSA subject and FLSA exempt position at the same time.

 

Employment-Related Background Checks, Criminal Activity Reporting, and Applicant Salary History Policy

An ECU policy developed to help promote a safe learning and work environment for students, staff, faculty, and visitors. Background checks will be used to evaluate prospective or current employees for employment purposes and will not be used to discriminate on the basis of any of the Protected Classes as outlined in the University’s Notice of Nondiscrimination Policy. Employment decisions must be solely job related to the position in question and consistent with business necessity.

  • Background checks are required to be conducted on student employees who will have Unsupervised Access to either (a) Sensitive Population; (b) other ECU students; or (c) Unsupervised Access to cash, checks or other forms of liquid assets of the University.
  • If a background check is required for a position, it will be noted in the job posting. SEO will work with the hiring official to determine if a background check is required prior to posting the position.
  • Student employees will not be able to begin work until the successful completion of a criminal background check.

 

Remote Work

  • Student employees are expected to work on campus. If remote work is approved, employees must reside and work within the state of North Carolina. For any questions regarding this expectation, please contact the SEO.

 

Types of Student Employment

A. Student Employment (formerly Self-Help Employment)

Student Employment positions are full or part-time, hourly campus jobs available to students who are currently enrolled at ECU and are in good academic standing.

  • Good Academic Standing: Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
  • Students not in Good Standing: Students with a cumulative GPA below 2.0 are limited to working a maximum of 25 hours per week. This exception is allowed for only one semester, during which the student must show progress toward raising their GPA to at least 2.0.
  • Minimum credit hours: Students must be enrolled in at least 3 credit hours in a degree earning program.
  • Hourly pay rates are determined by the hiring department and may vary based on departmental budget, student experience, and the specific duties and responsibilities of the position. Pay rates may not be lower than the federal/state minimum wage.
  • Work hours: Students may work up to 40 hours per week, subject to departmental approval.
  • FLSA Status: These positions are subject to the minimum wage and overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). For more information, visit the U.S. Department of Labor – FLSA Overview

B. Federal Work-Study (FWS)

Federal Work-Study (FWS) is a federally funded program that provides part-time job opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students with financial need. The program encourages both community service and work related to a student’s field of study.

  • Good Academic Standing: Students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
  • Students not in Good Standing: Students with a cumulative GPA below 2.0 are limited to working a maximum of 20 hours per week. This exception is allowed for only one semester, during which the student must show progress toward raising their GPA to at least 2.0.
  • Minimum credit hours: Students must be enrolled in at least 6 credit hours in a degree earning program.
  • Hourly pay rates:
    • Undergraduate: $10.00–$12.00/hour
    • Graduate: $12.50 -$14.00/hour
  • Work hours: Up to 25 hours per week in a FWS position
    • May also hold a Student Employment position, with combined hours not to exceed 40 hours in any work week.
  • FLSA Status: These positions are subject to the minimum wage and overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).
  • Hiring: Qualified students receive a “FWS Hiring Authorization Form” via ECU email, to be completed by the student and hiring department.
  • Off-Campus Employers: Typically, nonprofit or public agencies; work must be in the public interest.

Questions regarding Federal Work Study? Contact Kelly Sikes-Baker at 252-328-4394.

C. Undergraduate Research Assistantships

An Undergraduate Research Assistantship (URA) provides enrolled undergraduate students with hands-on research experience under the mentorship of a faculty or staff member. Through these educational experiences, students engage in a mentored investigation or creative inquiry that seeks to make a scholarly or artistic contribution to knowledge.

Undergraduate Research Assistants (URAs) are appointed within an academic department or program. Their work supports the research mission of the unit and relates to their field of study.

Research is defined as a systematic investigation — including development, testing, and evaluation — designed to contribute to general knowledge. It is the creation of new knowledge and/or the use of existing knowledge in a new and creative way to generate new concepts, methodologies and understanding.

Research activities for URAs may include:

  • Data Collection: Conducting surveys, interviews, or experiments.
  • Data Analysis: Analyzing research data using software or statistical programs.
  • Literature Reviews: Conducting library research and summarizing existing scholarship.
  • Assisting with Experiments: Supporting laboratory tasks such as maintaining equipment, preparing samples, or recording results.
  • Writing and Presentation: Assisting with research papers, conference presentations, or grant proposals.
  • Project Development: Helping generate project ideas or formulating research questions.
  • Publication Preparation: Assisting with manuscript drafting, editing, and revisions.

URAs are expected to contribute meaningfully to legitimate research activities and are not intended to perform routine administrative, clerical, or unrelated office work.

To qualify, students must:

  • Demonstrate strong aptitude in a specific field of study
  • Minimum Credit Hours: Be enrolled full-time in an on-campus ECU undergraduate degree program
  • Pay rates: URA’s are paid on the 15th and last day of the month. Pay rate equivalent to $8 to $16 an hour.
  • GPA Requirement: Must maintain a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA
  • Work hours: Not to exceed 25 hours a week.

    ⚠️ Note: Part-time or non-degree students are not eligible.

                FLSA Status: Exempt

    These positions are limited to approved research roles that support the student’s academic development. The link to the undergraduate research assistantship contract can be found here.

    D. Graduate Research or Teaching Assistantships

    Graduate Assistantships (GA) are available to qualified, full-time, degree-seeking graduate students. Their primary purpose is to provide academic or research experience that supports degree completion.

    Eligible students must:

    • Demonstrate superior aptitude in their field
    • Minimum credit hours: Be enrolled full-time in an on-campus graduate program.
    • GPA Requirement: Must maintain a minimum GPA of 2.5
    • Be capable of contributing to high-quality teaching or research
    • Position Types:
      • Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs)
      • Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs)
    • Work Hours: Not to exceed 25 hours a week.
    • FLSA Status: Exempt

    For more information, students should contact their graduate program or visit the ECU Graduate School website.

    Please note that graduate hourly assistantships are available in specific areas. Please review jobs.ecu.edu for information on hourly graduate assistantships.

     

    Leave & Holidays

    The work schedule follows the holiday/closing schedule for the University. Student employees are not paid for University holidays or closings. Students should not be scheduled to work on these days and would not receive additional pay above their normal hourly rate if they are expected to work as an exception.

    During adverse weather conditions, student employees are advised to contact the site supervisor to determine whether the University will be open or closed. If open, employees will need to discuss whether reporting to work is required and/or possible based on weather conditions. Student employees are not paid for hours not worked during periods of adverse weather.

    Student employees are not eligible to earn any sick, vacation or other paid forms of leave.

     

    Recruitment & Selection

    The Student Employment Office (SEO), located within the Department for People Operations, Success, and Opportunity, provides support to the entire campus and community throughout the hiring process of ECU student employees. SEO maintains an online job database to help current ECU students connect with full or part-time job opportunities both on and off- campus. Working a part-time job on or off-campus enables students to apply knowledge and skills learned in the classroom toward future employment. Students who work while going to school have an opportunity to help pay for the cost of their education while gaining experience and valuable skills to enhance their career goals.

    Hiring Managers should post student positions on PeopleAdmin.

    The Student Employment Office can be reached at hireapirate@ecu.edu or 252-737-5573.

     

    Compelled Speech

    Guidance regarding compelled speech.

     

    FLSA Status (Fair Labor Standards Act)

    • FLSA Subject: These positions are subject to the minimum wage and hourly wage regulations, including overtime, and require employees to accurate track and record their time worked (e.g., Student Employee, Federal Work-Study).
    • FLSA Exempt: These roles are typically salaried or stipend-based (e.g., Undergraduate Research Assistants, Graduate Research or Teaching Assistantships) and are not eligible for overtime.

    🚫 Students may not work in both an FLSA exempt and FLSA subject position at the same time.

     

    Student Employment Wage Rates

    • Hourly wage rates are based on the student’s experience and the department’s required skill level. The department decides the pay rate for any student and may adjust these recommendations. However, for an undergraduate student, an hourly rate above $16 must be approved by the SEO. Hourly wage rates may not be lower than the federal/state minimum wage.

    Positions Eligible for Higher Pay Without Exceptions:

    Certain job classifications are now eligible for pay rates above $16 per hour without requiring an exception request after approval from the SEO. These include:

    • Specialized IT and research roles
    • Transit positions
    • Roles requiring certification (e.g., personal trainers, swim instructors, Group Fitness instructors)
    • Clinical skills positions and tutoring roles for dental and medical students

    Please be aware that the SEO must approve these eligible position classifications in advance to establish an appropriate hourly wage rate for each specific job classification. It is essential that the rates remain consistent for all student employees within the same job classification. Departments should reach out to the SEO to request approval for a classification to be approved for higher pay without exceptions.

    Student Hourly/Salary Increases:

    • Justifications for pay increases must be based on departmental equity and available budget.
    • After one full semester of employment, students may be (not required) eligible for a pay increase of $0.50 to $1.50 per hour, at the department’s discretion.
    • Students must be in good academic standing (2.0 and above) and meeting job performance expectations to qualify for a raise.
    • All pay increases must follow a designated approval process, with final approval from the Student Employment Office.
    • Increases will take effect in the pay cycle following approval, either on the 1st or 16th of the month. Departments should notify the student in writing, concerning the increase, only after the rate has been approved in Banner by Student Employment.
    • Only 1 pay rate adjustment is permitted per semester.

    These adjustments are designed to address the challenges faced by both students and departments, ensuring fair compensation while maintaining operational efficiency.