COOPERATIVEEDUCATIONSTUDENTHANDBOOK

TABLEOFCONTENTS
I.
II.

HowtoUseThisHandbook..................................................................................................................................3
IntroductiontotheDivisionofProfessionalPractice&ExperientialLearning(ProPEL)andtheCooperative
EducationProgram...............................................................................................................................................5
A. TheDivisionofProfessionalPractice&ExperientialLearning.........................................................................5
B. TheCooperativeEducationProgram................................................................................................................5
C. TheInternationalCooperativeEducationProgram..........................................................................................6
D. ExperientialExplorationsProgram...................................................................................................................6
III. Eligibility...............................................................................................................................................................8
A. GeneralApplicationCriteriaforAllPrograms..................................................................................................8
B. ApplicationCriteriaforInternationalStudents................................................................................................8
C. CriteriaforStudentsMatriculatedintotheLindnerCollegeofBusiness.........................................................8
D. CriteriaforTransition/TransferStudentsintheLindnerCollegeofBusiness..................................................9
IV. ApplicationProcess............................................................................................................................................11
A. Process............................................................................................................................................................11
B. Timeline..........................................................................................................................................................11
C. Notification.....................................................................................................................................................11
D. TransitionandTransferStudentorChangeofMajorApplicationProcess....................................................11
E. Readmission...................................................................................................................................................12
F. AdvancedStanding.........................................................................................................................................12
V. IntroductiontoCooperativeEducationCourses................................................................................................13
A. IntroductiontoCooperativeEducation..........................................................................................................13
B. OrientationtoInternationalCooperativeEducation.....................................................................................13
VI. ParticipatingintheCooperativeEducationProgram.........................................................................................14
A. SearchforaCooperativeEducationPosition.................................................................................................14
B. Interviews.......................................................................................................................................................15
C. AcceptingaCoopPosition.............................................................................................................................15
D. Relocation.......................................................................................................................................................16
E. RegisteringforCoop......................................................................................................................................16
F. ConsiderationsDuringtheCoopSemester...................................................................................................16
VII. CooperativeEducationPolicies..........................................................................................................................19
A. AcceptinganOffer..........................................................................................................................................19
B. CooperativeEducationCalendar....................................................................................................................19
C. StandardsofProfessionalConduct.................................................................................................................20
D. WorkTenure...................................................................................................................................................20
E. ChangeofEmployer.......................................................................................................................................20
F. ClassesDuringtheCoopSemester................................................................................................................20
G. IndependentContracting...............................................................................................................................21
H. UnemploymentCompensation......................................................................................................................21
I. SuspensionorWithdrawal.............................................................................................................................21
VIII. MilitaryObligations............................................................................................................................................23
A. SelectiveService.............................................................................................................................................23
B. NonROTCMilitaryTraining............................................................................................................................23
C. ReserveOfficersTrainingCorps(ROTC).........................................................................................................23
D. AirForceROTC(TwoyearorAdvancedProgram).........................................................................................23
E. ArmyROTC(TwoyearProgram)....................................................................................................................24
IX. CooperativeEducationSemesterRequirements...............................................................................................25
A. Registration....................................................................................................................................................25
B. Assignments...................................................................................................................................................25
C. EmployerReport.............................................................................................................................................26
D. PostCoopReflection.....................................................................................................................................26
E. SummaryofRequirements.............................................................................................................................26

X.

CooperativeEducationRecognitionandCertificates.........................................................................................27
A. CooperativeEducation&PracticeExcellence................................................................................................27
B. CooperativeEducation&PracticeParticipation............................................................................................27
C. InternationalCooperativeEducationCertificate............................................................................................27
D. RecognitionandHonors.................................................................................................................................27
XI. ProfessionalStandardsReviewCommittee.......................................................................................................28
A. PSRCCases......................................................................................................................................................28
B. PSRCOutcomes..............................................................................................................................................28
C. Petitioning......................................................................................................................................................30
APPENDIXI...................................................................................................................................................................32

Fall2014

I. HowtoUseThisHandbook

TheCooperativeEducationProgramStudentHandbookcoversthepoliciesandproceduresoftheCooperative
EducationProgram.IfyouhavequestionsabouttheCooperativeEducationProgramanytimethroughoutyour
participation,youshouldrefertothishandbookortalktoyourCooperativeEducationFacultyAdvisortoseek
clarification.

Delineationismadebetweenmandatoryandoptionalprograms.Mandatorycoopprogramsareconsideredto
bethosemajorsthatrequireCooperativeEducationparticipationtomeetgraduationrequirements.These
includeseveralmajorsintheCollegeofDesign,Architecture,Art,andPlanning,theCollegeofEngineeringand
AppliedScience,andtheCollegeofEducation,CriminalJusticeandHumanServices.Optionalcoopprograms
areconsideredtobethosemajorsthatofferacurricularoptiontoparticipateintheCooperativeEducation
program.ForanupdatedlistingofmajorswhichofferCooperativeEducationparticipationasamandatoryor
optionalrequirement,pleaseviewtheProfessionalPracticewebsite:www.uc.edu/propractice.

Thefollowingkeytermswillaidinunderstandingandimplementationofthepoliciesandprocedurescontained
inthisHandbook.

KeyTerms

AcademicProgram:Theprograminwhichastudentisenrolled,(i.e.AerospaceEngineering,Marketing).
AcademicSemester:Thesemester(s)duringwhichthestudentisenrolledandparticipatinginacademiccourseson
campus.
AdvancedStanding:StatusgiventoastudentbytheProfessionalStandardsReviewCommitteeforqualifyingprevious
workexperiences.
CoopAssignments:TheLearningObjectives,StudentProject,andStudentReportadministeredthroughthePAL
websitewhicharerequiredtobecompletedduringeachcoopsemester.
CoopEmployer:Theorganizationorcorporationemployingthestudentforthedurationofthetermthestudentis
workinginacoopposition.
CoopPosition:ThepositionastudentisfillingwithanemployerasapartoftheCooperativeEducationProgram,i.e.
thecoopjob.
CoopSemester:Thesemester(s)duringwhichthestudentisactivelyworkinginaposition(i.e.oncoop).
CooperativeEducation(Coop):Theacademicprogramwhichalternatestermsoffulltimeacademiccourseworkwith
termsoffulltimeworkexperiencewhichispaid,properlysupervisedandevaluated,anddisciplinerelated.
CooperativeEducationFacultyAdviser:ThefacultymemberintheDivisionofProfessionalPractice&Experiential
Learning(ProPEL)whoisresponsibleforadministeringtheCooperativeEducationProgramforthestudentsmajorof
study.
MandatoryPrograms:ThoseacademicprogramsforwhichparticipationintheCooperativeEducationProgramisa
requirementforgraduation.MostundergraduateprogramsintheCollegeofEngineeringandAppliedScienceandthose
intheCollegeofDesign,Architecture,Art,andPlanningrequireparticipationincoop,aswellastheInformation
TechnologyprogramintheCollegeofEducation,CriminalJustice,andHumanServices.
Matriculated:Officiallyenrolledinanacademiccollegeand/ormajor.
PostCoopReflection:Arequiredmeetingbetweenthestudentandthefacultyadviserfollowingacoopsemester.
ProfessionalAssessmentandLearning(PAL):Theonlinetoolthatisusedforindividualstudentassessment,
assignmentcompletion,andprogrammaticassessment.Thetoolisaccessibleviahttps://www.uc.edu/pal.
ProfessionalStandardsReviewCommittee(PSRC):Acommitteecomposedoffacultyandstudentmembersforthe
purposeofreviewingallmatterspertainingtoprogramandstudentrelationsorirregularities.
Referralprocess:TheprocessbywhichProfessionalPracticeFacultyAdvisersdistributestudentresumesand/or
portfolios(i.e.referstudents)topotentialcoopemployers.
TheDivisionofProfessionalPractice&ExperientialLearning(ProPEL):TheacademicunitattheUniversityof
CincinnatiwhichadministerstheCooperativeEducationProgram.
TransferStudents:StudentswhoentertheUniversityofCincinnatifromanotherUniversity.

TransitionStudents:Studentswhochangemajors,orchangecollegeswithintheUniversityofCincinnati.
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II. IntroductiontotheDivisionofProfessionalPractice&ExperientialLearning(ProPEL)andthe
CooperativeEducationProgram
A. TheDivisionofProfessionalPractice&ExperientialLearning(ProPEL)
1. MissionofCooperativeEducation
ThemissionoftheDivisionofProfessionalPractice&ExperientialLearningistoprovideapremierglobal
academicprogramofcooperativeeducation.Thispedagogicinnovationhaditsfoundingatthe
UniversityofCincinnatiin1906.Throughcooperativeeducation,theprofessionalworldpartnerswith
theuniversitytointegratetheoryandpractice.Supportingtheuniversitysmission,cooperative
educationextendsstudentlearningbeyondtheclassroomprovidinganenhancededucational
experiencewhichincludespaid,disciplinerelatedworkexperiencetofurtherstudentscareer
preparation.Whilestudentsaregainingpracticalexperienceintheirchosenfield,theyacquirean
understandingoftheworldofwork,integratetheoryandpractice,andhavetheopportunitytofurther
developprofessionalandinterpersonalskills.

2. Faculty
UponacceptanceintotheCooperativeEducationProgram,studentsareassignedtoaProfessional
PracticeFacultyAdviserwhoisresponsibleforspecificphasesoftheprogram.FacultyintheDivisionof
ProfessionalPractice&ExperientialLearning(ProPEL)assistmorethan3500studentseachyearin
developing,implementingandverifyingtheirprofessionalintereststhroughclasses,andthrough
nationalandinternationalcooppositions.TheProfessionalPracticeFacultyAdvisersareresponsible
forallcommunicationbetweentheCooperativeEducationProgramandemployersparticipatinginthe
programandconductregularindividualmentoringsessionswiththestudents.TheProfessionalPractice
FacultyAdviseractsasacatalystbetweenthestudentandtheprofessionalpracticeemployer.The
adviserassistseachstudentinintegratingpracticeandclassroomtheoryandinrealizingthefullest
potentialonadisciplinerelatedpracticeassignment.

3. Location,Hours,ContactInformation
TheDivisionofProfessionalPractice&ExperientialLearning(ProPEL)islocatedintheStegerStudent
LifeCenter.Thereceptiondeskislocatedonthe7thfloor.

NOTE:ThehandicapaccessibleentranceisaccessedbyenteringtheSWIFTbuilding,takingtheelevator
tothe8thfloor,andcrossingovertheexternalwalkwayfromSwifttoSteger.

Divisionhours:8:00AM5:00PMMF

(includingbreaksbutnotuniversityholidays)
Email:coop@uc.edu
WebAddress: www.uc.edu/propractice
OfficePhoneNumber:513556COOP(2667)
Forindividualfacultyadvisercontactinformationpleasevisitwww.uc.edu/propractice

B. TheCooperativeEducationProgram
TheCooperativeEducation(Coop)ProgramoftheUniversityofCincinnatiisdesignedtoprovideeligible
studentsthemostcomprehensiveeducationandprofessionalpreparationavailable.Participating
undergraduatestudentsalternatesemestersofpaid,careerrelatedexperienceswithsemestersofclassroom
studystartingintheirsophomoreyearandextendingintotheirsenioryear.Studentsingraduatecoopprograms
alsofollowanalternatingscheduleaccordingtotheapprovedacademicplan.Theextensionofclassroom,
laboratory,andstudioteachingthroughpracticeinachosenprofessionaddsauniquedimensiontostudent
learningandpreparationforenteringachosencareerarea.

Thecoopexperiencerelatedtothefieldofstudy,acquiredwhileearningadegree,assiststhestudentin
developinganunderstandingofhumanrelationshipsandinlearningtoworkwithothersasamemberofa
team.Individualgrowthisenhancedbytherealizationthat,inadditiontodemonstratingtheoreticalknowledge,
oneisalsolearningtobecomeanintegralpartoftheworkingcommunityanddevelopinganawarenessofthe
interrelationshipbetweentheacademicandprofessionalworlds.Thusduringthecollegeyears,thestudent
obtainsfirsthandknowledgeofprofessionalpractices,expectationsandopportunities.Atthesametime,a
studentisofferedarealistictestofcareerinterestsandaptitudes.Workexperiencesmakethestudentmore
valuabletoemployers,increasequalificationsforcareeropportunities,andprovideanexcellentbackgroundfor
pursuitofgraduateprograms.

Thecoopprogramiseithermandatory,meaningtheprogramisadegreerequirementforgraduationinamajor,
oroptional,theprogramisanoptionstudentscantakeaspartoftheirdegreeprogramintheirmajor.Visit
http://www.uc.edu/propracticetoviewalistofthedegreesthatrequiremandatoryorofferoptionalprograms.

C. TheInternationalCoopProgram(ICP)
TheInternationalCooperativeProgram(ICP)attheUniversityofCincinnatiwasoriginallydevelopedbythe
CollegeofEngineeringandAppliedSciencetoprovidegraduateswithsecondlanguageproficiency,an
understandingofforeigncultures,andtobetterpreparethemforengineeringcareersintheglobalmarket.
Pleasenotethatnotallstudentswhocoopinternationallyarepartofthishighlyselectiveprogram.
Atpresent,thefocuslanguagesareGerman,Japanese,andFrench.Acourse,OrientationtoInternational
CooperativeEducation,isrequiredforallICPstudentstocreaterealisticexpectationsofwhatitwillbeliketolive
andworkinaforeigncountryandhelpthemdecidetheirspecificfocus.

Admissioniscompetitive,witha3.0GPArequirement.StudentsareencouragedtoapplytotheICPatthefirst
opportunity,whichisspringsemesterofthefreshmanyear.Applicationswillbeacceptedaslateasspring
semesterofthesophomoreyear,butearlyapplicationispreferabletoenablestudentstomakechoicesthatfit
ICPcoursesintoexistingcurriculumrequirements.Lateapplications(prejunioryear)willbeconsideredonlyif
spaceisavailableandwithapprovalofthestudentscoopfacultyadvisor.

Otherwise,theICPmaintainsthesamerequirementsasthestandardCooperativeEducationProgrambut
incorporatesinaseriesoflanguageandculturecoursestosupporttheinternationalcooppositions.Thecoop
componentincludesacapstoneeightmonthoverseaspracticeassignment.TheICPallowseachstudentto
acquireauniquecombinationofskillswhichwillgivehim/heracompetitiveedgeintheglobaljobmarket.For
moreinformation,visithttp://www.uc.edu/propractice/uccoop/current_students/current_icp.html.

D. ExperientialExplorationsProgram(EEP)
TheExperientialExplorationsProgram(EEP)isdesignedtogivestudentsenrolledintheCooperativeEducation
Programtheopportunitytohaveaonetimeeducationalalternativetothetraditional,paidcooppositionsand
toprovidestudentsandcoopfacultywithadditionaleducationalemploymentalternativestobetterprepare
studentstoqualifyforfuturecoopandcareeropportunities.

EachoftheEEPalternativesrequirespriornotificationtoandapprovalfromtheProfessionalPracticeFaculty
Adviser.ApprovalformsmaybeobtainedintheDivisionofProfessionalPractice&ExperientialLearning
(ProPEL)OfficeorontheDivisionwebsite.Itishighlyrecommendedthatstudentsseekapprovalnolaterthan
theendofthethirdweekofthesemesterpriortobeginningtheEEP.DependentuponwhichEEPalternativeis
used;studentsmayberequiredtocompletethecoopassignmentsastypicallyprescribedbytheDivisionof
ProfessionalPractice&ExperientialLearning(ProPEL)andthefacultyadviser.

CoopstudentsmaychoosefromthefollowingEEPalternatives:

1. StudyAbroad.Thefollowingconditionsarerequired:
a) Ifthestudyabroadexperienceisatleast12credithours,itwillqualifyasanEEP.Ifless
than12credithours,studentswillneedtopetitiontothePSRC.
b) Thestudentmustmeeteligibilityrequirementsandfollowallproceduresforstudyabroad
asdeterminedbyUCInternationalPrograms(http://www.uc.edu/global/).
c) Theprogrammustbedocumentedonthestudenttranscript.
d) Thiswillserveasasubstituteforonecooptermandwillcounttowardscertification.

2. CommunityServiceandVolunteerPositions.Thefollowingconditionsarerequired:
a) Communityserviceorvolunteerexperiencemustbeaminimumof450hours/semester,
andmustbeverifiedbyanorganizationrepresentative.
b) Workispreferablyforanotforprofitorganization.
c) Experienceisstructuredandformalized.
d) Studenthasamentor/supervisorwhocanassesstheirexperience.
e) Positionmustbeobtainedbythestudentandmustbeapprovedbythefacultyadviser.

3. ResearchPosition.Thefollowingconditionsarerequired:
a) Researchexperiencemustbeaminimumof450hours/semester,andmustbeverifiedbya
supervisor.
b) Workispreferablyforaprofessororresearchinstitute/program.
c) Experienceisdisciplinerelated.
d) Experienceisstructuredandformalized.
e) Studenthasamentor/supervisorwhocanassesstheirexperience.

4. TravelSemester.Thefollowingconditionsarerequired:
a) Traveltimeshouldapproximatethedurationofthepracticesemesterasshownonthe
ProfessionalPracticeCalendar.
b) Travelmustberelatedtothestudentsdisciplineorcareergoals.
c) Aperiodnotexceedingthreeweeksofthesemestermaybeutilizedforpreparation,
schedulingandothernecessaryadministrativearrangements.
d) Ifastudentsproposedtravelistobeoflessthantwelveweeksduration,thestudent
mustsubmitthepetitionformalongwithacopyoftheCareerRelatedTravelFormattachedto
theProfessionalStandardsReviewCommitteeforspecialconsideration.

III. Eligibility
A. GeneralApplicationCriteriaforAllPrograms
Inordertocompletetheprogramapplicationandreceivecontinuingprogramservices,studentsmustmeetthe
followingcriteria:

1.

Astudentmustbeafulltime,matriculatedstudentcarryingaminimumoftwelve(12)academiccredit
hourspersemesterandbemajoringinadisciplinewhichincludescooperativeeducationinthe
curriculum.

2.

Astudentmustbeabletocompleteaminimumofthreecoopsemestersonabachelorslevelortwo
coopsemestersonagraduateleveltobeeligiblefortheprogram.Itshouldbeemphasizedthatthis
minimumrequirementoftwoorthreecoopsemestersonlyrelatestoinitialprogrameligibility.The
actualnumberofrequiredcoopsemestersisthenumberavailableonaregularalternatingbasisfrom
thetimeofacceptanceintotheCooperativeEducationProgram,uptoandincludingthelastscheduled
coopsemesterinthesenioryear.Thisistoensuretheeffectivecurriculumcontributionofthecoop
assignmentsandtomeetaccreditationstandards.

3.

AstudentmustcompletetheappropriateIntroductiontoCooperativeEducationcoursewithapassing
grade.

4.

Astudentmustbewillingtoacceptacooppositioninanygeographiclocationwithinthecontinental
UnitedStates.

5.

AstudentmustbewillingtoacceptacooppositionineitheraSectionIorSectionIIschedule(if
applicable).

6.

Astudentmustbefreeofanyacademicdeficienciesorotherrestrictionsthatwouldinterferewith
programparticipation.

7.

IfastudentcertifiesatthetimeofacceptanceintotheCooperativeEducationProgramthatthereare
norestrictionsastogeographiclocationorsectionassignment(ifapplicable)andlaterinsistsupon
imposingrestrictionsonthecoopposition,acceptanceforparticipationintheprogramshallbe
revokeduntilatimewhenthestudentcanfulfilltheparticipationrequirements.

B. ApplicationCriteriaforInternationalStudents
Studentsonpermanentresidentstatus(greencard),F1orJ1visas,orothernonimmigrantvisaswithan
EmploymentAuthorizationDocumentfromtheDepartmentofHomelandSecurity,areeligibletoparticipatein
theprogram.MostF1orJ1visaholdersmustcompleteonefullyearofclassesintheUSbeforetheyare
eligibleforparticipationinacoopposition.However,thereareexceptionsforF1studentsingraduate
programsthatrequirecoopparticipationduringthefirstyearofstudyandforJ1exchangevisitorsparticipating
informalexchangeprograms.

AllinternationalstudentsarerequiredtocompletedocumentationwiththeInternationalStudentServicesOffice
(ISSO)followingacceptanceofacooppositionandpriortothebeginningoftheircoopterm.Thiswillenable
studentstoworkwithoutjeopardizingtheirvisastatusintheUnitedStates.

C. CriteriaforStudentsMatriculatedintotheLindnerLindnerCollegeofBusiness
Inadditiontothegeneralapplicationcriteria,whenconsideringapplicationtotheCooperativeEducation
Program,thefollowingcriteriaapply:

1.

Studentsmusthaveacumulativegradepointgradeaverageof2.5orgreater.

2.

Studentsmustcertifythatthereisareasonableexpectationthatatleast45semesterhourswillbe
completedpriortotheearliestsemesterduringwhichthestudentwillbeeligiblefortheirfirstcoop

position.Studentswhohavecompletedmorethan75semesterhourspriortothesemesterduring
whichthestudentwouldbeeligibleforthefirstcooppositionwillnotbeacceptedintothe
CooperativeEducationProgram.

1. TheTimingofIntroductiontoCooperativeEducation
StudentsarestronglyencouragedtotaketheIntroductiontoCooperativeEducationcourseandapplyto
theCooperativeEducationProgramduringthespringsemesterofthefreshmanyear.Students,who
applytotheprogrambythethirdweekofthespringsemesterandareaccepted,maybegintheirjob
searchinthesummer(providedstudentisfulltimetakingaminimumof15academiccredits)orfall
semesterandhavetheirfirstcoopsemesterinthefollowingfallorspringsemester.Studentselecting
nottoattendschoolinthesummersemestercanbegintheirjobsearchinthefallsemesterfor
placementinthespringorsummersemester.
Applicationsreceivedafterthedeadlinewillnotbeassesseduntilthefollowingsemester.

ItiscriticalthatallstudentswhowishtoparticipateincooperativeeducationtakeIntroductionto
CooperativeEducationandapplytotheCoopProgramnolaterthanthefallofthethirdyear.

ApplytotheCoop
Acceptance
JobSearch
EarliestWorkTerm
Program
BytheendofSpring
ConclusionofSpring
SummerorFall
FallorSpring
Semester
Semester
BytheendofSummer
Conclusionof
Fall
Spring
Semester
SummerSemester
BytheendofFall
ConclusionofFall
Spring
Summer*
Semester
Semester
*Historically,summerplacementisextremelydifficult,sostudentsmustbereadytoworkfall
semesterintheeventpositionsarelimited.

D. CriteriaforTransition/TransferStudentsintheLindnerCollegeofBusiness

Transition/transferstudentsenteringtheLindnerCollegeofBusinesswhoplantoparticipateintheCooperative
EducationProgrammustmeetthepreviouslystatedeligibilitycriteriaforLindnerCollegeofBusinessstudents
andadheretothetransition/transferapplicationprocessoutlinedinSectionIVofthisHandbook.

StudentswhoaretransitioningfromoneUniversityofCincinnaticollegewhichparticipatesintheCooperative
EducationProgramintotheLindnerCollegeofBusinessandwhohavepreviouslytakenIntroductionto
CooperativeEducationareurgedtoreapplytotheCooperativeEducationProgramassoonastheyareadmitted
totheLindnerCollegeofBusiness.

1. TheTimingofIntroductiontoCooperativeEducationforTransition/Transfer
StudentswhohavesuccessfullycompletedtheIntroductiontoCooperativeEducationcoursepriorto
transitiondonotneedtorepeatthecourse.

StudentstransferringintotheLindnerCollegeofBusinessareurgedtotaketheIntroductionto
CooperativeEducationassoonaspossible.StudentsenteringtheLindnerCollegeofBusinessasajunior
shouldtakethecourseinthefallofthejunioryearandcompletetheapplicationatthattime.The
followingscheduleoutlineswhenastudentappliestotheCooperativeEducationProgramandthe
earliestsemesterhe/sheareeligibletocompletehis/herfirstworkassignment:

ApplytotheCoop
Program
BytheendofFallSemester

Acceptance

JobSearch

EarliestWorkTerm

ConclusionofFall
Spring
Summer*
Semester
BytheendofSpring
ConclusionofSpring
SummerorFall
FallorSpring
Semester
Semester
BytheendofSummer
Conclusionof
Fall
Spring
Semester
SummerSemester
*Historically,summerplacementisextremelydifficult,sostudentsmustbereadytoworkfall
semesterintheeventpositionsarelimited.

Applicationsreceivedafterthedeadlinewillnotbeassesseduntilthefollowingsemester.

Foranytransferapplicationtobeapproved,thestudentmustmeetalloftherequirementsoutlinedin
the"Eligibility"section,includingtherequirementtocompleteatleastthreecoopsemesters.

10

IV. ApplicationProcess
Allstudents,regardlessoftheirparticipationinanoptionalormandatoryCooperativeEducationProgrammust
officiallyapplytotheprogram.Studentswhoapplymustmeettheeligibilityrequirementsasdiscussedintheprevious
section.

A. Process
TheapplicationtotheCooperativeEducationProgramisavailableonlineathttp://www.uc.edu/pal/Login
informationandinstructionsareprovidedintheIntroductiontoCooperativeEducationcourse.

B. Timeline
Formandatoryprograms,applicationsmustbesubmittednolaterthanFridayofthethirdweekofthe
semesterinwhichstudentsareenrolledintheIntroductiontoCooperativeEducationcourseandwillbe
processedastheyaresubmitted.

ForoptionalprogramsintheLindnerCollegeofBusiness,applicationsshouldbesubmittedbeinthesemester
studentsaretakingIntroductiontoCooperativeEducation.ApplicationssubmittedbystudentsintheLindner
CollegeofBusinesswillbeprocessedattheendofthesemesterofsubmission.

C. Notification
Studentswillbenotifiedbyemailwhentheirapplicationhasbeenapprovedordenied.Thiscommunicationwill
alsoinformthestudentofthenextstepsnecessarytobeginparticipationintheprogram.

D. Transition,TransferStudent,orChangeofMajorApplicationProcess
1. FromoneUniversityofCincinnaticollegetoanotherUniversityofCincinnaticollegeafter
applyingtotheCooperativeEducationProgram.
Forexample:Achangeinmajorfromindustrialdesign(DAAP)tomechanicalengineering(CEAS).

Ifastudentischangingmajors,andthenewmajorisinadifferentUniversityofCincinnaticollege,the
studentmustreapplytotheCooperativeEducationProgramonceacceptedintothenewcollegeandmajor
inordertocontinueparticipationintheCooperativeEducationProgram.Thestudentmustmeetthe
appropriateeligibilitycriteria.

IfthestudenthasbegunparticipationintheCooperativeEducationProgram,thestudentshouldmeetwith
thecurrentProfessionalPracticeAdvisertoinformtheadviserofthechangeandtobeadvisedoffurther
necessaryaction.AchangeinmajorwilllikelyresultinachangeinProfessionalPracticeFacultyAdvisersfor
thestudent.Thismeetingshouldoccurassoonasthestudentiscertainofthemajorchange.

2. FromoneUniversityofCincinnaticollegetoanotherwithouthavingpreviouslyappliedor
participatedintheCooperativeEducationProgram.
Forexample:Achangeinmajorfrompsychology(A&S)tofinance(COB).

Ifastudentischangingmajorstoamajorwhichoffersmandatoryoroptionalparticipationinthe
CooperativeEducationProgram,andthestudenthasnotpreviouslyappliedorparticipatedinthe
CooperativeEducationProgram,thestudentmustapplytotheprogram.PleaserefertotheEligibilityand
ApplicationProcesssectionsofthisHandbookforfurtherinstruction,referencingtheinformationrelevantto
thenewmajororprogram.

11

3. Fromanothereducationalinstitution.
Forexample:EnteringtheUniversityofCincinnatiaftercompletingcredithoursatadifferenttwoorfour
yearinstitution.

AstudenttransferringtotheUniversityofCincinnatiintoaprogramwhichoffersmandatoryoroptional
participationintheCooperativeEducationProgrammustapplytotheCooperativeEducationProgram.
PleaserefertotheEligibilityandApplicationProcesssectionsofthisHandbookforfurtherinstruction,
referencingtheinformationrelevanttothenewmajororprogram.

4. FromonemajortoanothermajorinthesameUniversityofCincinnaticollege
Forexample:Achangeinmajorfromarchitecture(DAAP)tourbanplanning(DAAP).

IfastudentischangingmajorsandthenewmajorisinthesameUniversityofCincinnaticollege,thestudent
doesnotneedtoreapplytotheCooperativeEducationProgram.

IfthestudenthasbegunparticipationintheCooperativeEducationProgram,thestudentshouldmeetwith
thecurrentProfessionalPracticeAdvisertoinformtheadviserofthechangeandtobeadvisedoffurther
necessaryaction.AchangeinmajormayresultinachangeinProfessionalPracticeFacultyAdvisersforthe
student.Shouldthisoccur,thestudentshouldscheduleameetingwiththenewfacultyadviser.This
meetingshouldoccurassoonasthestudentiscertainofthemajorchange.

E. Readmission
AfterawithdrawalfromtheUniversity,studentsdesiringreentrytotheCooperativeEducationProgrammust
requestreadmittance.StudentsshouldcometotheProPELofficeasearlyaspossibleaftertheirreturnto
campus,butnolaterthanonesemesterbeforetheywillbeavailableforplacementineithersectiontoreceive
instructions.Inorderforreadmittancetobeconsidered,thestudentmusthavefollowedtheproperwithdrawal
procedure,havehadasatisfactoryprofessionalpracticerecord,meetalloftheeligibilityrequirements,and
applyattheappropriatetime.

F. AdvancedStanding

12

Advancedstandingmaybegrantedforacoopsemesterundereitheroffollowingcriteria:

CoopexperiencefromanotheracademicprogramoreducationalinstitutionthathasaCooperativeEducation
Programwithsimilarstandards.Experiencemustbenotedonatranscript.

OR

Fulltimeworkofsixconsecutivemonthsormoreinacareerrelatedjob

AstudentmustindicatepriorexperiencewheninitiallyapplyingtotheCooperativeEducationProgram.After
acceptanceintheCooperativeEducationProgramthestudentmustcompletetheproperAdvancedStanding
requestformandsubmitittotheProfessionalStandardsReviewCommittee.

Ifgranted,theadvancedstandingwouldapplytothefirstcoopsemester(s).Notethatadvancedstandingis
typicallyusedbythosestudentswhotransfertoUCfromotherinstitutions,whomeettheadvancedstanding
criteria,andneedadvancedstandingtomeettheminimumrequiredcoopsemestersfortheirdegreeprogram.
DetailsoftheprocesscanbediscussedwiththestudentsProfessionalPracticeFacultyAdviserduringtheinitial
meeting.

V. IntroductiontoCooperativeEducationCourses
TheDivisionofProfessionalPractice&ExperientialLearning(ProPEL)offerstwoclassroombasedintroductory
CooperativeEducationcourses:IntroductiontoCooperativeEducationandOrientationtoInternationalCooperative
Education.ThesecoursesaretaughtbythefacultyoftheDivisionofProfessionalPractice&ExperientialLearning.

A. IntroductiontoCooperativeEducation
TheDivisionofProfessionalPractice&ExperientialLearning(ProPEL)offersanacademiccourserequiredfor
studentswhowishtoparticipateintheCooperativeEducationProgram.Thiscourseisdesignedtointroduce
studentstothecooperativeeducationlearningmodelandhowitisexecutedthroughtheCooperativeEducation
Program.Itwillpreparestudentstomaximizelearning,andassistinthedevelopmentofstrategiesand
necessaryskillsforeffectiveparticipationintheCooperativeEducationProgram.Thecoursesaregradedonthe
standardAFscale,andcarryonehourofacademiccreditpercourse.

B. OrientationtoInternationalCooperativeEducation
StudentswhoareinterestedinparticipatingintheInternationalCooperativeEducationProgram(ICP)are
requiredtotaketheOrientationtoInternationalCoopcourseinadditiontotheIntroductiontoCooperative
Educationcourse.Itshouldbetakenatthebeginningofastudent'sparticipationintheICPinthesophomore
year.Thecourseisdesignedtointroducestudentstoculturaldifferencesandtothechallengesand
opportunitiesinvolvedinlivingandworkingabroadaswellasreinforcethepoliciesandproceduresoftheICP.
Thecoursehelpsstudentsdevelopanawarenessofhowtoadjusttoanewenvironment,andcreatesrealistic
expectationsaboutaninternationalworkexperience.Informationisprovidedaboutthefourcultures(German,
Japanese,SpanishandFrench)availablethroughtheICPandwillassistundecidedstudentsinchoosinga
languagefocus.EachstudentmusthavesatisfactorilycompletedtherequiredOrientationtoInternationalCoop
classinordertobeeligibleforaninternationalassignmentthroughtheICP.OrientationtoInternationalCoopis
normallyofferedonceeachyear.StudentscanbeacceptedintotheICPafterspringsemesterofthefreshman
year,andshouldregisterforthiscourseattheearliestpossibletime.OrientationtoInternationalCoopisnot
requiredforstudentswhowillworkabroadthroughindependenteffortsandarenotapartoftheICP.

13

VI. ParticipatingintheCooperativeEducationProgram
AftersuccessfulcompletionoftheIntroductiontoCooperativeEducationcourseandacceptanceintotheCooperative
EducationProgram,thestudentwillreceivecorrespondencefromtheProfessionalPracticeFacultyAdviserinstructing
thestudentonappropriatetimeframesandnecessaryactions.Duetothevaryingnatureofdisciplinespecificjob
marketsandpreferences,certainproceduresusedduringparticipationintheCooperativeEducationProgramandthe
searchforacooperativeeducationpositionwillvarybasedonstudentmajorand/oradviser.However,alldisciplines
adheretothesamebasictenetsofthejobsearch,interviews,acceptance,andregistration.

A. SearchforaCooperativeEducationPosition
ThestudentmustfirstmeetwiththeirProfessionalPracticeFacultyAdviserinthefirstthreeweeksofthe
semesterbeforethestudentiseligibletoworktheirfirstcoopsemester.Theagendaofthismeetingissetby
thefacultyadviser.

Alldecisionswithrespecttocooppositionsmustbemadeinthelightoftheireffectonthestudent,the
employer,andtheUniversity'sprogramobjectives.Whilethestudent'sinterestsareparamount,sufficient
resourcesarenotavailabletotailortheprogramtomeethighlyspecializedornarrowlydefinedexperience
preferences.Positionsrelatedtoastudentslongrangecareerinterestsareoftenpossible,providedthose
interestsareconsistentwiththestudent'sacademicstudiesandsuchopportunitiesareavailable.The
educationalvalueoftheexperienceavailablefromacoopposition,notthepayrate,sectionorlocation,isthe
controllingfactorindeterminingtheappropriatenessofastudent'scoopposition.TheProfessionalPractice
FacultyAdviserrefersastudentscredentialstopotentialdisciplinerelatedemploymentopportunities.

WhiletheUniversitycannotguaranteeemploymentforanystudent,duetofluctuationsinthelabormarket,the
placementrateforUCcoopstudentshasconsistentlybeenhigherthanthenationalaverage.

Thereisnowaytocompelanemployertohirewhenthereisnoneedforastudent'sservices.Pastexperience
hasshownthatmostemployersarenotreceptivetotheemploymentofastudentwithapooracademicstanding
oronewhosepreviousemploymentrecordisunsatisfactory.Itisthereforeimportantnotonlytomaintain
satisfactoryacademicprogressbutalsotoprovideemployerswithacceptablejobperformance.

Studentsarerequiredtocompleteaminimumof2semesterswithanemployerpriortorequestingachangeof
employer.Experiencehasshownthat,inmostcases,itismoreadvantageousforthestudenttotrytoprogress
withintheorganizationofoneemployerthantochangecontinuallyfromoneemployertoanother.Eachtimea
studentstartswithanewemployer,thereisusuallyaperiodduringwhichthestudentisbeingtestedandthe
employermaybehesitanttogivemuchresponsibility.Inaddition,cooppositionsoftenincreaseininterestand
responsibilityafterthestudenthasbeenwiththesameorganizationforseveralcoopsemesters.

Whileeveryeffortismadetoserveallstudentsequallyinjobreferralactivities,limitationsinindividual
capabilities,medicalorotherareas,mightonoccasion,limittheoptionsandeventheopportunitiesfor
disciplinerelatedcooppositionsforsomeprogramparticipantssince,ultimately,employersmakethehiring
decisions.InlinewithgeneralUniversitypolicy,theDivisioniscommittedtoassistingstudentswhoare
physicallychallengedingainingfullbenefitfromtheirparticipationintheCooperativeEducationProgram.

1. RulesthatApplytotheSearchforaCooperativeEducationPosition
a) SectionAssignment&GeographicPreference
Studentsmustbewillingtoacceptapositionineithercoopsection(whenapplicable)andin
anygeographiclocationwithinthecontinentalUnitedStates.
Whilestudentsmayindicatepreferencesastosection(SectionIorSectionIIifapplicable)or
geographiclocation,finaldecisionsarebasedupontheactualopportunitiesavailablefor
disciplinerelatedlearning.

14

b) StudentsContactingEmployers
Studentsarenotpermittedtodirectlycontactemployerspriortoreceivingpermissionfrom
theProfessionalPracticeFacultyAdviser.
Astudentshouldnotapproachanemployerconcerningemploymentpossibilitiesunlessprior
approvalhasbeenobtainedfromtheProfessionalPracticeFacultyAdviser.

c) EqualOpportunity
Incompliancewithfederalmandates,Universitypolicy,andinthespiritofequalopportunity
theDivisionofProfessionalPractice&ExperientialLearning(ProPEL)endeavorstorefer
studentstoavailableandpotentialcooperativeeducationpositionsbasedontheirexpressed
careerinterests,academicperformanceandtherelationshipofavailablepositionstotheir
progressionintheiracademicstudies.
"TheUniversityofCincinnatireaffirmsitspolicythatdiscriminationonthebasisofrace,color,
religion,nationalorigin,sex,sexorientation,disability,statusasdisabledveteranorveteranof
theVietnamera,orageshallnotbepracticedinanyofitsactivities.Furthermore,wherepast
orpresentdiscriminationcontinuestohaveanadverseimpactuponprotectedclassmembers
suchasminoritygroups,women,disabled,Vietnameraveterans,ordisabledveterans,the
Universitywilltakeaffirmativeactionincarryingoutitspolicyofnondiscriminationandequal
opportunityforall."

Employersofcoopstudents,whosepoliciesandpracticesarenotfoundtobeconsistentwith
theinstitution'spolicy,willbeadvisedoftheirneedtocomplyiftheyaretocontinuetheir
workingrelationshipswiththeDivisionofProfessionalPractice&ExperientialLearning
(ProPEL).

B. Interviews
Employersareencouragedtocontactstudentsdirectlytoholdinterviewsforopenpositions.Theinterview
processisatthediscretionoftheemployerandmayincludeaninterview(s)onsite,oncampus,oroverthe
phone.Itisthestudentsresponsibilitytomaintainprofessionaldecorumwhencommunicatingwithemployers.
Ifquestionsariseduringthiscommunication,thestudentshouldcontacthisorheradviser.

C. AcceptingaCoopPosition
1. VerbalAcceptanceandNotification
Thecooppositionisanagreementbetweenthestudentandtheemployer.Whenthestudent
verballyacceptsacoopposition,s/hehascommittedtothepositionandisnolongerinthejob
search.Thestudentmustimmediatelynotifythefacultyadvisertobegintheplacementand
registrationprocess.

2. DatesandDuration
StudentsarerequiredtoworkthedatesofUniversityCoopCalendar.
Thiscalendardictatestheofficialstartandenddatesforthecoopsemester.Anyproposeddeviation
shouldbeaddressedwiththefacultyadviserpriortoapproachingtheemployer.Thecalendaris
availableathttp://www.uc.edu/propractice/uccoop/current_students/calendar.html

3. Compensation
Theemployerdeterminestherateofpayandthestudentisdirectlycompensatedbytheemployerfor
workperformed.
OneofthetenantsoftheCooperativeEducationProgramispaidexperience.Whilepositionsarepaid,
theprimaryconsiderationintheCooperativeEducationProgramisthelearningandexperiencea
studentreceivesfromtheopportunityanemployeraffordsratherthanmonetarycompensation.

15

Variancesinpayratesexistamongstudentsandpositionsfornumerousreasonssuchasstudentability,
tenurewithfirm,geographiclocation,employerpayscales,andeconomicconditions.

D. Relocation
Transportation,relocation,andhousingaretheresponsibilityofthestudent,nottheUniversity,oremployer,
andmustbehandledinsuchawayasnottointerferewithstartingandcompletinganassignment.

E. RegisteringforCoop
CooperativeEducationisafulltimeacademicprogramattheUniversityofCincinnati.Inordertomaintainfull
timestudentstatus,astudentmustregisterforeachcoopsemester.Itshouldbenotedthatthisregistration
process,outlinedbelow,isdifferentfromtraditionalcourseregistrationasstudentsdonotusetheOneStop
website.

Ifastudentparticipatesinanapprovedcooppositionworkingtwoconsecutivesemesters,thestudentmust
registerforEACHsemester.(Note:workingtwoconsecutivesemestersisnotanoptioninallacademic
programs,andisonlypermissiblepertheapprovedschedulespermittingthiscombination.)Studentsmaynot
workinacooppositionforthreeconsecutivesemesters.Failuretoregisterintheappropriatetimeframecan
resultinseriousproblemswithstudentloans,healthinsurancecoverage,orvisastatus.

Thefollowingstepsshouldbecompletedtoregisterforacoopsemester:
1.

Aftersecuringaposition,thestudentmustnotifyhis/herProfessionalPracticeFacultyAdviser.

2.

Thestudentwillthenreceiveaformalconfirmationletterviaemail(acopyisalsosenttothe
employer).Thisemailwillcontainimportantinformationregardingregistrationandshouldbe
reviewedforaccuracy.

3.

RegistrationopenseightweekspriortothestartofthecoopsemesterandclosesonthefirstFridayof
thecoopsemester.Studentswhohavesecuredapositionbutnotregisteredwithinthiswindowwill
bechargedalateregistrationfeebytheUniversity.Ifanapproveddelayofthestartingdateforthe
coopsemesterhasbeengranted,thestudentmuststillregisterbeforethespecifieddeadline.

4.

OnlineregistrationcanthenbecompletedatthePALwebsite:http://www.uc.edu/pal/.Studentswill
receiveanelectronicreceiptforsuccessfulregistration.

5.

Duringtheonlineregistration,studentsareaskedtosubmitcontactandsupervisorinformation.If
someinformationcannotbeobtainedpriortoorduringtheregistrationprocess,theregistrationcan
stillbecompletedwiththisinformationomitted.Anyunavailableinformationshouldbesuppliedas
soonaspossible.

6.

FollowingregistrationonthePALwebsite,studentswillbeofficiallyregisteredfortheappropriate
cooperativeeducationcourse.Thiscoursewillbeaddedtothestudentsacademicscheduleandisa
zerocredithour,fulltimecourse.Itistypicalforathreedaydelaytooccurbetweencompleting
onlineregistrationandadditionofthiscoursetoastudentsschedule.

7.

ACoopFeewillbeassessedtothestudentsUniversityaccount.Itisthestudentsresponsibilityto
adheretotheUniversitypaymentscheduletoavoidlatefees.

F. ConsiderationsDuringtheCoopSemester
Thissectionismeanttomakestudentsawareoftheramificationscoopmayhaveonotherstudentrelevant
issues.Studentsareadvisedtocontacttheappropriateentitieswhohaveauthorityontheseissues.

1. InternationalStudents
StudentsonanF1orJ1visa,inordertowork,mustreceiveformalauthorizationfromUC
InternationalServices,priortoeachcoopsemester.
16

TheproceduralformissuedbytheImmigrationandNaturalizationServiceoftheUnitedStates
DepartmentofJusticestatesthat"Studentsenrolledinacollegeoruniversityhavingalternate
workstudycoursesasapartofitsregularprescribedcurriculummayparticipateinsuchcourses,
withoutchangeofstatus,providedthatsuchperiodsofactualemploymentshallbeconsideredas
practicaltraining."

UCInternationalServiceshasprovidedtheDivisionofProfessionalPractice&ExperientialLearning
(ProPEL)withthefollowingrequirementsthatmustbemeteachcoopsemesterinordertobeeligible
toworkintheUnitedStates.Failuretoadheretotheserequirementswilljeopardizeyoureligibility.
AnyemploymentnotauthorizedinwritingbyUCInternationalServicesisillegalemploymentanda
violationofF1/J1studentstatus.

Aftersecuringacoopposition,internationalstudentsMUSThavetheemploymentauthorizedbyUC
InternationalServicespriortoworking.Inordertoobtaintheproperauthorizationtowork,students
mustsubmitaCurricularPracticalTrainingeFormthroughyouriStartrecordathttps://ioffice.uc.edu.

Thisrequestwillrequirecertificationfromyourcoopadvisersomakesureyouhavehis/hercorrect
emailaddress.Theserequeststake5businessdaystoprocesssomakesureyouplanahead.Letyour
coopadviserknowwhenyouhavesubmittedtherequestsotheycanconfirmthecoopassignment
withUCInternationalServices.

2. Housing
StudentslivinginUniversityofCincinnatimanagedoncampushousingshouldreviewthetermsand
conditionsoftheirhousingcontractfortheproceduretobereleasedfromtheirhousingand/ormeal
plancontractduetocoopparticipation.

3. VerificationofFullTimeStatus
CooperativeEducationisafulltimeacademicprogramattheUniversityofCincinnati.Duringcoop
semesters,properlyregisteredstudentsmaintainfulltimestudentstatus.Thisstatuscanbeverifiedfor
studentloanandhealthinsurancepurposesthroughtheOfficeoftheRegistrar:
http://www.uc.edu/registrar/record_services/enrollment_and_degreecertification.html

4. StateResidency
Studentsworkinginacooppositionoutsideoftheirhomestateshaveoccasionallyhadproblemswith
authoritieswhohaverequiredthemtoregistertheircarslocallyeventhoughthatresidentstatuswas
onlytemporaryduetocoopparticipation.Asaresponsetothisneed,cooperativeeducation
professionalsocietiesmetwithappropriateMotorVehiclepersonnelinanattempttoresolvethis
problem.AcopyofthisresolutioncanbefoundinAppendixI.Thestudentisresponsibleforallmatters
regardingstateresidency.

5. HealthInsurance
TheUniversityofCincinnatiBoardofTrusteesrequiresallstudentswhoareregisteredasfulltime
studentstobecoveredbyhealthinsurance,thisincludesstudentsworkinginacoopposition.
a) StudentswithUniversityofCincinnatiStudentHealthInsurance
Studentsmustbeproperlyregisteredforthecoopsemesterinordertomaintainfulltime
studentstatusandthuseligibilityforUniversityStudentHealthInsurance.

TheDivisionofProfessionalPractice&ExperientialLearning(ProPEL)isnotinvolvedinhealthinsurance
practicesorpoliciesand,therefore,willnotassumeresponsibilityforanyhealthinsurancechargesfor
anyreason.

17

AnyquestionsrelatedtohealthinsuranceshouldbedirectedtotheStudentHealthInsuranceOffice,
(513)5566868orvisithttp://www.uc.edu/uhs/student_health_insurance.html

6. FinancialAid
Reviewinformationatwww.financialaid.uc.eduinordertounderstandandmaximizestudentaid.
Itisimportantforstudentswhorelyonfinancialaidtofundtheireducationtounderstandhowfinancial
aidmaybehandledoraffectedbycoopparticipation.Mostaidistypicallyappliedtoacademic
semesters.Someaidmaybeappliedtoacoopsemester;however,itisdependentonthetypeofaid
received.Itisimportanttoknowtheaideligibilityandrequiredadjustmentssostudentscanplanforfull
academicyearexpenses.Afteracceptingaidonlineandreportingplannedcooprotation,ifthecoop
rotationchanges,studentsshouldworkwithOneStop(www.onestop.uc.edu,onestop@uc.edu;513
5561000)toadjustforchanges.

Makesurecoopregistrationiscompletepriortothebeginningofacoopsemestertoensureproper
creditingofyouraid.Failuretoregisterforacoopsemestercancausealossoffinancialaid
eligibility.
TheDivisionofProfessionalPractice&ExperientialLearning(ProPEL)isnotinvolvedinfinancialaid
practicesorpoliciesand,therefore,willnotassumeresponsibilityforstudentissueswithfinancialaid.

7. Scholarships
StudentsintheCooperativeEducationProgramareeligibletoreceivealluniversityscholarships.There
aredifferencesinscholarships,soitisimportanttounderstandhowyourscholarshipworks.Visit
http://www.financialaid.uc.edu/scholarships.htmlformoreinformation.Scholarshipmoneyistypically
appliedtoacademicsemesters;however,itmayvarydependingonthescholarship.ContactOneStop
withquestions:www.onestop.uc.edu,onestop@uc.edu;5135561000

TheDivisionofProfessionalPractice&ExperientialLearning(ProPEL)isnotinvolvedinscholarship
practicesorpoliciesand,therefore,andwillnotassumeresponsibilityforscholarshipissues.

18

VII. CooperativeEducationPolicies
ItisexpectedthatallstudentsparticipatingintheCooperativeEducationProgramadheretotheUniversitysPolicies
fortheCooperativeEducationProgram.Intheeventthatextenuatingcircumstancespreventastudentfromfollowing
thespecifiedpolicies,thesituationshouldbediscussedimmediatelywiththeProfessionalPracticeFacultyAdviser.In
suchsituations,policyexceptionsmaybegrantedbythefacultyadviserortheProfessionalStandardsReview
Committee,asdeemedappropriate.FailuretoabidebythepoliciesoftheCooperativeEducationProgramwillresult
inthestudentbeingreferredtotheProfessionalStandardsReviewCommittee(PSRC)foraction.

A. AcceptinganOffer
Onceastudentacceptsaverbalofferfromanemployer,thestudenthascommittedtotheposition.
Often,verbaloffersareextendedtostudentsinadvanceofformalpaperwork.Onceastudentverballyindicates
toanemployerthattheofferofemploymentisaccepted,thestudenthascommittedtothepositionandis
expectedtofulfillthecommitment.

B. CooperativeEducationCalendar
Thestudentisrequiredtobeavailableforemploymentbeginningthefirstdateofthecoopsemesterthrough
theenddateasprescribedbytheCooperativeEducationCalendar.
TheDivisionofProfessionalPractice&ExperientialLearning(ProPEL)publishesaCooperativeEducationCalendar
foreachacademicyear.CopiesofthiscalendarareavailablefromtheDivisionreceptionist,thestudentsfaculty
adviser,andonline.Thiscalendarprovidesfulltime,yearroundcoverageforemployers.

StudentsparticipatinginROTCSummerTrainingorInternationalCoopIntensiveLanguageTrainingshould
discussthesecommitmentswiththeirProfessionalPracticeFacultyAdviserassoonastheyareknown.

IntheinstanceastudentisunabletofulfilltheobligationtotheCooperativeEducationCalendarduetolayoff,
termination,accident,illness,orthroughnofaultoftheirown,thestudentshouldcontacthis/herProfessional
PracticeFacultyAdviserimmediately.
AnyexceptionsmusthavethepriorapprovalofthestudentsProfessionalPracticeFacultyAdviser.

1. AbsenceDuetoIllness
If,duetoillnessorseriouspersonalcircumstances,astudentcannotreportforworkonascheduled
workday,theemployershouldbeadvisedassoonaspossible.TheProfessionalPracticeFacultyAdviser
mustalsobeadvisedifitseemslikelythattheabsencewillextendbeyondoneweek.

Shouldanabsenceexceedthreeweeksofthecoopsemester,thestudentmustrequestan
AdministrativeWaiverforthatcoopsemester.ThestudentmustimmediatelyinformtheProfessional
PracticeFacultyAdviserofthesituationandcompleteandreturnthe"StudentPetitionForm"to
requestanAdministrativeWaiver,includingontheformadetailedexplanationofthereasonforthe
absence.

2. AbsenceforPersonalReasons
Thestudentshouldnotasktheemployerfortimeofffromworkforanyreason,academic,socialor
other,withoutfirstobtainingtheconsentoftheProfessionalPracticeFacultyAdviser.Thestudent
observesonlycompanyholidays,notUniversityholidaysorvacations,duringthecoopsemester.

Undernocircumstancesshouldastudentresignapositionwithoutthepermissionofthefacultyadviser.

19

C. StandardsofProfessionalConduct
Whileontheworkassignment,thestudentisanemployeeofthecompanyoragencyandisunderthe
supervisionofthatorganizationintheperformanceofduties.Eachstudentisexpectedtomeetallofthe
requirementsofprofessionalisminherentintheemployingorganization.

D. WorkTenure
Thestudentisrequiredtoworkwiththesameemployeraminimumoftwocoopsemesters.
Experiencehasshownthatthefirstsemesterinacooppositionwithacompanyinvolvesahighleveloftraining
andacclimation,anditisafterthisfirstsemesterthatstudentsareabletofunctionatahigherleveland
contributeintheposition.

E. ChangeofEmployer
Ifastudenthasfulfilledtherequiredworktenurewithacoopemployer,astudentmayseekapprovaltopursue
achangeinemployer.Additionally,situationsmayariseinwhichthestudent,involuntarily,hasaneedtochange
employers.Inthesesituations,thefollowingpoliciesapply:

1. VoluntaryChange
Ifastudenthascompletedtwocoopsemesterswithasingleemployeranddesiresorhasaneedto
changeemployers,thestudentmustcompleteandsubmitaChangeinAssignmentforminPALby
thesecondweekoftheprecedingacademicsemesterinwhichthechangeissought.Thisrequest
mustbeapprovedpriortoastudentparticipatinginjobsearchactivities.
Example:AstudentwishingtochangeemployersfortheupcomingSpringSemestermustturninthe
completedformbytheendsecondweekoftheFallSemester.

Changesinassignmentarepermittedbutarenotgrantedsolelyonabasisofstudentfinancialgains,
personalcommitmentsorassumedresponsibilities.Thereasonsfordesiringachangemustbesetforth
indetail.Astudentmustnotinitiateadiscussionwithanemployerconcerningthedesiretochange
employerswithoutthepriorapprovaloftheProfessionalPracticeFacultyAdviser.

2. InvoluntaryChange
Intheeventthatastudentisunabletoreturntothepreviousemployer,aChangeinAssignment
mustbecompletedandsubmittedinPALasthesituationisknown,butnolaterthan,theendofthe
secondweekoftheacademicsemesterprecedingthecoopsemesterinwhichanewpositionis
needed.
Example:Astudentneedinganewpositionfortheupcomingspringsemestermustturninthe
completedformbytheendofthesecondweekofthefallsemester.

Examplesofthiseventinclude,butarenotlimitedto,layoffs,positionorbudgetcuts,oremployer
reorganization.

F. ClassesDuringtheCoopSemester
Astudentisnotpermittedtotakeanyacademiccoursesthatwouldconflictwiththeregularlyestablished
workhoursasdeterminedbytheemployer.
Whilestudentsmayelecttotakecoursesoutsideofregularworkhoursduringtheworksemester,theymust
followallrules,regulationsandproceduresindoingsoasrequiredbytheircollege.

20

G. IndependentContracting
TheDivisionofProfessionalPractice&ExperientialLearning(ProPEL)doesnotconsideritappropriatefor
employerstoengagetheservicesofstudentsasconsultantsorindependentcontractors,whensuchan
arrangementinvolvesthestudent'sofficialcoopparticipation.Studentsareadvisednottoacceptcoop
positionsundertheseconditions.
Shouldastudentonhisorherownchoosetoacceptsuchaposition,thenthatdecisionissolelythatofthe
student,andtheUniversityofCincinnatiwillnotbepartytotheagreementbetweenthestudentandthe
employer.TheDivisiontakesthispositionduetothefactthatstudentsintheCooperativeEducationProgram
areinalearningstatus,areconsideredasregularemployeesoftheorganizationwheretheywork,areassigned
dutiesandaresupervisedbytheemployer,andtheworkperformedisforthebenefitoftheemployer.There
arealsoseriousquestionsaboutthelegalityofemployersclassifyingcoopstudentsasconsultantsor
independentcontractorsundertheInternalRevenueCode.
Beyondthebasiclegalquestions,thereareconcernsaboutthepossiblelackofstudentawarenessaboutthe
statusoftheirprotectionunderworkman'scompensation,payrolldeductionsfortaxesandsocialsecurity,and
possiblepenaltiesshouldstudentsfailtopayselfemploymenttaxes.Therearealsootherrelatedissuesthat
couldhaveanadverseimpactonthewellbeingofastudent.

H. UnemploymentCompensation
StudentsmaynotapplyforunemploymentcompensationbaseduponperiodsofCooperativeEducation
employment.
Itisnotethicalforaparticipatingstudenttorequestorreceiveunemploymentcompensationbasedupon
periodsofCooperativeEducationemployment.SuchapplicationonthepartofaCooperativeEducationstudent
isinviolationofmoststatelaws,includingOhio,andwouldbeabreachofthegoodfaithunderstandingbetween
thestudentandtheCooperativeEducationemployer.Anystudentwhomakesaninappropriateapplicationfor
unemploymentcompensationwillbesubjecttoimmediatesuspensionfromtheCooperativeEducationProgram.

I. SuspensionorWithdrawal
ParticipationintheCooperativeEducationProgramisaffectedbyacademicsuspensionaswellaswithdrawal
fromanacademicprogram.Inoptionalcoopprograms,thereisaprocessforofficialwithdrawaland
consequencesofunofficialwithdrawal.

1. AcademicSuspension
Intheeventthatacademicsuspensionoccursduringacoopsemester,thestudentshouldnotresign
fromacoopposition.
Intheeventastudentissuspendedfromhisorheracademicprogramorcollege,heorsheshould
contacthisorherProfessionalPracticeFacultyAdviser.Shouldthesuspensionoccurduringacoop
semester,thestudentshouldnotresignfromthecoopposition.Heorsheshouldcontactthe
ProfessionalPracticeFacultyAdviser.Ifthisprocedureisnotfollowed,thestudentwillnotbe
permittedtoreentertheCooperativeEducationProgramattheconclusionofthesuspension.

2. CooperativeEducationSuspension
TheProfessionalStandardsReviewCommitteecanissueacooperativeeducationsuspensiontoa
studentforfailingtocomplywithCooperativeEducationProgrampolicieswhichincludesunprofessional
conductwhileemployedinacoopposition.Forstudentsinmandatoryprograms,thissanction
typicallyresultsinacademicsuspension.

3. OfficialWithdrawalfromtheCooperativeEducationProgram
Intheeventthatastudenttransfersoutofanacademicdegreeprogramafteracceptancetoand/or
participationintheCooperativeEducationProgram,thestudentshouldnotifytheProfessional
PracticeFacultyAdviserofhis/herwithdrawal.

21

IfthestudentistransitioningintoadifferentdegreeprogramattheUniversityofCincinnatiwhichoffers
cooperativeeducation,thestudentshouldfollowtheTransition/TransferStudentApplicationProcessas
describeinanearliersection.

4. UnofficialWithdrawalfromtheCooperativeEducationProgram
If,afterinitiatingthejobsearchprocess,orholdingacoopposition,astudentelectstodiscontinue
thejobsearchand/oractiveparticipation,thestudentisconsideredwithdrawnfromtheprogramand
willnotbeeligibleforreadmission.
Onceastudent'sresumeisdistributedtoemployers,theyareconsideredactivelyparticipatinginthe
program.Indisciplineswherecoopisoptional,onceastudentcompletesacoopsemester,thenthe
numberofpracticesemestersagreedtointhedegreeplanbecomesanintegralpartofthestudent's
academicprogram.Indisciplineswherecoopismandatory,unofficialwithdrawalfromtheCooperative
EducationProgramcanjeopardizeacademicstanding.

22

VIII. MilitaryObligations
Anystudentwhoisamemberof,orwhocontemplatesbecomingamemberofamilitaryorganization,includingROTC,
shouldcontacttheirProfessionalPracticeFacultyAdviserimmediately.

Thestudentshouldplantomeetwiththefacultyadvisertodiscussmilitarycommitmentsinrelationtoparticipation
intheCooperativeEducationProgram.Itisthestudentsresponsibilitytounderstandthecommitmentrequirements
ofboththemilitaryandCooperativeEducationProgram.Pleaseseethefollowingsectiondetailingmilitaryobligations
withintheCooperativeEducationProgram.

A. SelectiveService
StudentsparticipatingintheCooperativeEducationProgramareclassifiedasfulltimestudentsoftheUniversity
ofCincinnati,solongastheyareregisteredforeachsemester,includingthecoopsemester.SeeVerificationof
FulltimeStatus.

B. NonROTCMilitaryTraining
StudentswhoareconsideringnonROTCmilitarytraining(Reserves,NationalGuard,etc.)shouldconsulttheir
ProfessionalPracticeFacultyAdviserimmediatelytodeterminehowthiswillaffectCooperativeEducation
participation.

C. ReserveOfficersTrainingCorps(ROTC)
InkeepingwithUniversitypolicy,studentsintheCooperativeEducationProgramareaccommodatedwhen
participatinginROTCprograms.BoththeArmyandtheAirForceofferafiveyear,fulltimeprogramforstudents
intheCooperativeEducationProgram.BothservicesofferAdvancedorTwoyearProgramsforqualified
students.TheAirForceProgramandArmyProgramaredescribedhere:

D. AirForceROTC(TwoyearorAdvancedProgram)
ThefouryearProgramrequirescompletionoftheGeneralMilitaryCourse(GMC),attendanceatafourweek
FieldTrainingEncampment(FT),andcompletionoftheProfessionalOfficersCourse(POC).IntheFouryear
Program,theGMCistypicallycompletedinthefirstandsophomoreacademicyears,withtheFTrequirement
beingfulfilledinthesummerbetweenthesophomoreandprejunioryears.BoththeGMCandthePOCconsistof
AirForceROTCacademicandLeadershipLaboratorycourses.

IntheTwoyearProgram,studentsmustattendasixweekExtendedFieldTrainingEncampmentatanAir
ForceBase,andalsocompletethePOC.ThePOCisthesameforboththeTwoyearandFouryearPrograms,and
thestudentsmustbeenrolledinthePOCfornolessthantwofullacademicyears.

1. StudentResponsibilities
StudentsenrolledinanROTCprogrammustcontacttheirProfessionalPracticeFacultyAdviseratthe
startoftheirsophomoreyearoruponenrollmentintheProgramtomaketheappropriate
arrangementsforthesummerfieldtrainingsemester(aminimumofonesemesteradvancenoticeis
essential).

ThestudentshouldsubmitaROTCStudentPetitionFormforconsiderationbytheProfessional
StandardsReviewCommittee(PSRC).ThisformisavailablefromtheProfessionalPracticeFaculty
Adviser.ApprovalofthispetitionbythePSRCpermitsthestudentanexceptiontotherequirementof
anuninterruptedsequenceofcoopsemestersandadeviationfromtheCooperativeEducation
Calendar.However,byexercisingthisoption,thestudentforfeitsrecognitionofacompletedcoop
semesterforthatsummersemester.Ifstudentsmeetalltheothercooperativeeducationrequirements
oftheirmajor,thisexceptionwillnotaffectcertificationintheCooperativeEducationProgram.Inthe

23

eventthatastudentcanparticipateinthesummerfieldtrainingandstillcompletefourteenweeksina
coopposition,apetitionisnotnecessary.

Ifnecessary,thestudent'sProfessionalPracticeFacultyAdviserwillattempttoarrangealeaveof
absencewiththestudent'semployerfortheperiodofsummertraining.Whenjobcontinuityis
interruptedinthismanner,itmaynotbepossibleforthestudenttobeemployedatthesameposition,
bythesameemployer,orinthesameindustryinthenextcoopsemester.

E. ArmyROTC(TwoyearProgram)
TheArmy'sTwoyearProgramissimilartotheAirForcesacceleratedprogram.Itinvolvessuccessfulcompletion
ofthefourweekLeadersTrainingProgramatFortKnox,KYpluscompletionofthetwoyearAdvancedROTC
course.StudentswouldtypicallyattendtheLeadersTrainingCourseinthesummerbeforethesenioryear.

1. StudentResponsibilities
StudentsenrolledintheArmyROTCprogrammustcontacttheirProfessionalPracticeFacultyAdviserat
thestartofhisorhersophomoreyearoruponenrollmentintheAdvancedProgramtomakethe
appropriatearrangementsforthesummerfieldtrainingsemester(aminimumofonesemesteradvance
noticeisessential).

ThestudentshouldsubmitaROTCSummerTrainingPetitionforconsiderationbytheProfessional
StandardsReviewCommittee(PSRC).ThisformisavailablefromtheProfessionalPracticeFaculty
Adviser.ApprovalofthispetitionbythePSRCpermitsthestudentanexceptiontotherequirementof
anuninterruptedsequenceofcoopsemestersandadeviationfromtheCooperativeEducation
Calendar.However,byexercisingthisoption,thestudentforfeitsrecognitionofacompletedcoop
semesterforthatsummersemester.Ifstudentsmeetalltheothercooperativeeducationrequirements
oftheirmajor,thisexceptionwillnotaffectcertificationintheCooperativeEducationProgram.Inthe
eventthatastudentcanparticipateinthesummerfieldtrainingandstillcompletefourteenweeksina
coopposition,apetitionisnotnecessary.

Ifnecessary,thestudent'sProfessionalPracticeFacultyAdviserwillattempttoarrangealeaveof
absencewiththestudent'semployerfortheperiodofsummertraining.Whenjobcontinuityis
interruptedinthismanner,itmaynotbepossibleforthestudenttobeemployedatthesameposition,
bythesameemployer,orinthesameindustryinthenextcoopsemester.

24

IX. CooperativeEducationSemesterRequirements
Therearefiverequirementstobecompletedduringeachcoopsemester.Theserequirementsincluderegisteringfor
thesemester,completingcoopassignments,performingworkevaluatedassatisfactoryorbetter,workingthe
prescribedcalendardates,andcompletingapostcoopreflection.

Ifastudentworksconsecutivesemesters,he/sheisrequiredtocompleteallrequirementsforeachcoopsemester.
Thisincludesregistrationforeachcoopsemesterduringtheappropriateregistrationwindow,andcompleting
learningobjectives,astudentproject,andstudentreportforeachcoopsemester.

A. Registration
RegistrationforthecoopsemesteristobecompletedonlinethroughthePAL(www.uc.edu/pal)bythedeadline
publishedontheCooperativeEducationCalendar.Theregistrationprocessisdetailedinanearliersectionofthis
document.

ShouldastudenthaveaRegistrationorFinancialBlockonhisorherUniversityaccount,itisthestudents
individualresponsibilitytorectifytheissuethroughproperchannelswithintheCollegeand/orOneStop.Once
theBlockhasbeenlifted,thestudentmustcontacttheDivisionofProfessionalPractice&ExperientialLearning
(ProPEL)sothatthecoopsemesterregistrationcanbecompleted.

Failuretoproperlyregisterforacoopsemestercanresultinlossoffulltimestudentstatusinadditiontotheco
opsemesternotfulfillingthestudentsgraduationrequirements.

B. Assignments
Reflectionisacriticalcomponentoflearningthroughcooperativeeducation.Throughoutparticipationinthe
CooperativeEducationProgram,toolsandassignmentsareprovidedtofacilitatereflectionandlearning.These
assignmentsareaccessiblethroughtheProfessionalAssessmentandLearning(PAL)website.

AssignmentsmustbecompletedbythelastdayofthecoopworksemesterandsubmittedthroughthePAL
website.

FailuretosubmitstudentassignmentsandmeetwiththeProfessionalPracticeFacultyAdviserwillresultinan
incompleteIorU/Fgradeforthesemesterorsemesters.GradesgivenbytheDivisionofProfessional
Practice&ExperientialLearning(ProPEL)foracademiccoursesareapartoftheofficialUniversitygrading
system.AllgradesgivenbytheDivisionarerecordedontheofficialgradereportissuedbytheOfficeofthe
Registrar.

1. LearningObjectives
Allstudentsarerequiredtocompletethelearningobjectivesactivitycoveringthecoopsemester.
Studentlearningobjectivessupportthecooperativeeducationexperienceandassistbothemployerand
studentinachievingapositiveandproductivecoopsemester.Learningobjectives,orgoals,alongwith
aplantomeettheobjectives,shouldbeestablishedduringthefirstthreeweeksofthecoopsemester.
Attheconclusionofthecoopsemester,learningobjectivesarereviewedbythestudentand
supervisor.

2. LearningGoals
Allstudentsarerequiredtocompletetheassignedlearninggoalsprojectforthecoopsemester.During
thecoopsemester,studentsincreasetheirunderstandingofaparticulartopicasanexerciseinself
directedlearning.Whilethetopicofthestudentprojectshouldbeviewedduringthefirstfourweeksof
thecoopsemester,thestudentshouldcompletetheprojectduringthefinaltwoweeksofthesemester
utilizingknowledgeandexperiencerecentlygained.

25

3. StudentReport
Allstudentsarerequiredtocompletethestudentreportcoveringthecoopsemester.Thestudent
reportisaselfassessmentcompletedbythestudenttoreflectuponprofessional,technical,and
personalskillsandlearning.Reportspreparedwhilestillonthejobaremorecomprehensiveandthus
ofgreatervaluetoboththestudentandtheProfessionalPracticeFacultyAdviserthanthoseprepared
hurriedlyandfrommemoryatalaterdate.Thestudentreportshouldbecompletedduringthefinal
twoweeksofthecoopsemester.

C. EmployerReport
AllstudentsareevaluatedbytheiremployerseachcoopsemesterusingtheEmployerReportadministered
online.Thisreportisviewedasaperformanceevaluationandthestudent'sProfessionalPracticeFacultyAdviser
reviewstheratingswiththestudentandusesthisformasabasisforcounselingandadvisingthestudent
regardingindividualprofessionaldevelopment.Ifastudentreceivesafailinggrade,thestudentmaynotreceive
recognitionofacompletedcoopsemester.

AremindertocompletethisformisemailedtothesupervisoreachsemesterbyProPEL.Itisnotedthatduring
theregistrationprocess,astudentdenoteshis/hersupervisorinthePALsystem.Thecontactenteredinthis
fieldistheindividualwhowillbepromptedtocompletetheEmployerReport.Duringthesemester,astudent
canlogintothePALsystemandchangehis/hersupervisor.Thisshouldbedoneinthecaseofsupervisor
changesorinordertohavedaytodayworkactivitiesproperlyevaluated.

D. PostCoopReflection
Duringtheacademicsemesterfollowingacoopsemester,eachstudentisrequiredtoscheduleandcompletea
grouporindividualmeetingwiththeProfessionalPracticeFacultyAdviser(PostCoopReflection).Studentswill
becontactedbytheirProfessionalPracticeFacultyAdvisoraboutsettinguptheindividualorgroupmeetings.

Thesereflectionmeetingsprovideanopportunitytoreviewthelastcoopassignment,todiscussanyproblems
andtofocusonlearningoutcomesandfuturelearninggoals.

E. SummaryofRequirements
Insummary,inordertoreceiveapassinggradeforthecoopsemester,astudentmust:

26

1.

RegisterforthecoopsemesterviatheDivisionsonlineregistrationsystem.

2.

CompletetheassignedLearningObjectives,LearningGoals,StudentReportforeachsemesterworked.
EncouragecompletionandreviewoftheEmployerReportforeachsemesterworked.

3.

Performworkwhichtheemployerevaluatesassatisfactoryorbetter.

4.

WorktheentiresemesterasprescribedbytheCooperativeEducationCalendar.Thisinformationis
confirmedthroughboththeStudentandEmployerReports.

5.

ScheduleandcompleteapostcoopreflectionmeetingwiththeassignedProfessionalPracticeFaculty
Adviserfollowingthecoopsemester.

6.

CompleteanyadditionalrequirementsassignedbytheProfessionalPracticeFacultyAdviser.

X. CooperativeEducationRecognitionandCertificates
TheDivisionofProfessionalPractice&ExperientialLearning(ProPEL)awardscertificatesforparticipationtoqualified
studentsgraduatingfromtheCooperativeEducationProgram.ThesecertificatesareUniversityrecognizedandnoted
onstudentstranscripts.Thesecertificatesandthewayinwhichtheyareearnedaredescribedbelow.Studentsmust
receivepassinggradesinallProfessionalPracticecoursestoreceiveacertificate.

A. CooperativeEducation&PracticeExcellence
ACertificateofCooperativeEducation&PracticeExcellenceisawardedbytheFacultyoftheDivisionof
ProfessionalPractice&ExperientialLearning(ProPEL)forexcellenceinparticipationintheCooperative
EducationProgram.TobeeligiblefortheExcellencecertificate,astudentmustsatisfactorilycomplete,withno
exceptions,thefollowingnumberofcoopsemesters.

Everystudentisrequiredtocontinueonanalternatingcoopscheduleuptoandincludingthoseintheyearof
graduation.Insomecases,thismayresultintheaccumulationofmorethanthenormalnumberofsemesters
neededforthecertificate.

COLLEGE
COOP
COLLEGE
COOP
SEMESTERS
SEMESTERS
CollegeofDesign,

CollegeofEngineeringand
Architecture,Art&Planning
AppliedScience
SchoolofDesign(allmajors)
5
StandardUndergraduatePrograms
5
InteriorDesign
5
BS/MSACCENDPrograms
4
UrbanPlanning
5
BS/MBAACCENDPrograms
4
BSArch
3
MArch
3

CollegeofEducation,CriminalJustice,
LindnerCollegeofBusiness
andHumanServices
AllMajors
5
InformationTechnology
5

B. CooperativeEducation&PracticeParticipation
ACertificateofCooperativeEducation&PracticeisawardedbytheFacultyoftheDivisionofProfessional
Practice&ExperientialLearning(ProPEL)tothosestudentswhoareineligibleforanExcellenceCertificate,but
whohavesatisfactorilycompletedallavailablecoopsemesterssincetheirenrollmentintheprogram.Every
studentisrequiredtocontinueonanalternatingcoopscheduleuptoandincludingthoseintheyearof
graduation.

C. InternationalCooperativeEducationCertificate
ACertificateofInternationalCooperativeEducationProgramParticipationisawardedtothosestudentswho
fullyparticipateintheformalICPandmeettheacademicrequirements.

D. RecognitionandHonors
Awardsofrecognitionarepresentedannuallytoaselectgroupofseniorswhohavedemonstratedoutstanding
achievementontheircoopassignments.Anawardisavailableiseachoftheundergraduatedegreeprogramsas
wellastheMArchprogram.

27

XI. ProfessionalStandardsReviewCommittee(PSRC)
InordertomaintainthestandardsoftheUniversityofCincinnati,andtheDivisionofProfessionalPractice&
ExperientialLearning(ProPEL)aswellasthebestinterestoftheindividualstudentseducation,ProPELhasestablished
theProfessionalStandardsReviewCommittee(PSRC).TheCommitteeiscomposedoffacultyandstudentmembers
appointedbytheCollegeDeans,theStudentTribunals,andtheDirectorofProfessionalPractice&Experiential
Learningforthepurposeofmaintainingprogramstandards.

A. PSRCCases
ThePSRCreviewsallmatterspertainingtopetitionsofirregularity,conflictresolution,advancedstanding,and
violationsofprogramrules.Additionally,anyvariancetoanuninterruptedsequenceofcoopsemestersasa
resultofanyactivities,unemployment,orotherevents,mustbeapprovedthroughpetitiontothePSRC.Some
commonsituationsareoutlinedbelow.

1. AdvancedStanding
Inthecasethatastudentmeetsthecriteriaforrequestingadvancedstanding,itisdonesothrougha
petitiontothePSRC.ArequestforadvancedstandingissubmittedusingtheRequestforAdvanced
Standingform.

2. ROTCSummerTraining
AstudentparticipatinginaROTCsummertrainingprogramrequeststodosoviaaROTCStudent
Petitionform.

3. Unemployment
Inthecasethatastudentisunabletosecurecoopemploymentorisrelievedofpositionduties,a
PetitionofIrregularityissubmittedtothePSRC.

4. ScheduleIrregularity
Anyrequestforscheduleirregularity,sectionchange,exceptionorinterruptiontoanuninterrupted
sequencemustbesubmittedtoPSRCviaaPetitionforIrregularity.

5. PossibleOffenses
SomeexamplesofoffenseswhichmayresultinPSRCactionarelistedbelow,butarenotlimitedto
theseexamples.SeriousoffensescanresultinSuspensionandDismissal.
a) DishonestyFurnishingtheDivisionorcoopemployersfalsewrittenororalinformation.
b) ViolationofProbationViolationofProgramrulesandregulationswhileonthat
probation.
c) EmployerTerminationAstudentduringacoopsemesteristerminatedbytheemployer
duetoimproperbehaviororothermisconductbythestudentwhileofficiallyfulfillingacoop
semesterwiththeemployer.
d) UnauthorizedChangeofCoopEmployerViolationoftherequirementtohaveofficial
ProPELapprovalofanychangeinthestudent'scoopemployer.
e) UnsatisfactoryPerformanceTwoormoreunsatisfactoryperformancereportsfromthe
student'scoopemployer(s).
f) DisregardforPolicyApatternofdisregardforpoliciesbyastudentasevidencedbyprior
warningsorprobationsanctionsbytheDivision.

B. PSRCOutcomes
ThePSRCreviewsbothstudentpetitionsandfacultyrecommendationstocometoadecision.Outcomesofthe
PSRCdecisionmaybeaprogramwaiverand/oracademicsanctions.

28

1. AdministrativeWaiver
Anadministrativewaiverhasnodetrimentaleffectonthestudent'sparticipationintheCooperative
EducationProgramorprojecteddateofgraduation.Thisdesignationisutilizedwhenastudentis
unabletosecureorcompleteanappropriatecooppositionorsemesterthroughnopersonalfault.

Commoncausesofanadministrativewaivermayinclude:failuretosecureanappropriatecoop
positionduetotheeconomyafterallreasonableeffortsweremade,terminationofacooppositionfor
reasonsotherthanperformance,illnessforatotalequaltoorgreaterthan3weeks,participationina
ROTCSummerTrainingoranyothersituationwhereapenaltyregardingcertificationwouldbe
inequitable.

2. AdministrativeWaiverwithPrejudice
Anadministrativewaiverwithprejudicewillresultinlossofrecognitionforthecoopsemesterand
couldincludetheadditionofacoopsemesterasaprogramrequirement.Thisactioncouldbecoupled
withacademicsanctions.Commoncausesofanadministrativewaiverwithprejudicemayinclude:a
studentisunabletosecureorcompleteanappropriatecooppositionduetofailureorrefusalto
complywithCooperativeEducationpolicies,personalrestrictionsastogeographiclocation,section
availability,salarylevel,orviolationsofstandardsofprofessionalconductforthecoopsemester.

3. AcademicSanctions
AstudentadmittedtotheCooperativeEducationProgramoftheUniversityofCincinnatiacceptsthe
responsibilitytoknowandcomplywithallinstitutionalandDivisionrules,theStudentCodeofConduct,
andstandardsthatgoverntheProgram.Ingeneral,whenastudentdemonstratesunwillingnessto
obeytherulesgoverningconductforCooperativeEducationProgramparticipation,theindividualwillbe
treatedthesameasonewhohadfailedintraditionalclassroomcoursesandmaybesuspendedor
dismissedfromtheCooperativeEducationProgram.TheUniversityofCincinnati'sStudentCodeof
Conduct,whichdefinesthebehaviorexpectedofstudents,isapplicabletostudentswhileincoop
positions.CopiesofthisCodeareavailableforreviewinthefollowinglocations:allStudentAffairsand
Servicesoffices,studentorganizationoffices,CollegeDeans'offices,andtheOfficeoftheUniversity
Ombuds.

Provenfailuretomeettheseregulationsandstandardsjustifyappropriateacademicsanctionsbythe
ProfessionalStandardsReviewCommitteeoftheDivisionofProfessionalPractice&Experiential
Learning(ProPEL).TheacademicsanctionsincludeWarning,Probation,SuspensionandDismissal.
Thesesanctionsareseriousmatters,especiallysoforstudentsinprogramswherethesatisfactory
completionoftheCooperativeEducationProgramispartofthedegreerequirementsandmaydelay
graduation.

Thevarioussanctionsaredefinedasfollows:
a) Warningisanofficialnotificationtothestudentthathisorherbehaviorhasbeen
unacceptable.Anyfurthermisconductmayresultinamoreseveresanction.
b) Probationisanofficialnotificationtothestudentthathisorherbehaviorhasbeen
unacceptable.Thisactionbecomesapartofthestudent'srecordandcouldresultinprobation
statusinthestudent'sacademicunit.Thissanctionisineffectforaspecifiedperiodas
determinedbytheProfessionalStandardsReviewCommittee.Afterreceivingnoticeof
probation,itistheresponsibilityofthestudenttoconferwithhisorherProfessionalPractice
FacultyAdvisertodiscussanyquestionsconcerningtheprobationandtoplananappropriate
courseofactiontoavoidfurtherdifficulties.Anyfurthermisconductonthestudent'spart
duringtheperiodofprobationmayresultinsuspensionordismissalfromtheCooperative
EducationProgram.
c) SuspensionprohibitsthestudentfromparticipatingintheCooperativeEducationProgram
oftheUniversityofCincinnatiforaspecifiedperiodoftime.Asuspensionperioddoesnot

29

typicallyexceedonecalendaryear.TheProfessionalStandardsReviewCommitteewill
determinetheeffectivebeginningandendingdatesofthesuspension.ThisProfessional
Practiceactioncouldresultinsuspensionfromthestudent'sCollege.Suspensionrequiresthat
thestudentmustpetitionforreadmission.Suspendedstudentswillbenotifiedinwritingasto
therationalefortheactionandwhentheywillbeeligibletoapplyforreadmissionintothe
CooperativeEducationProgram.Oncereadmittedintotheprogram,ifthestudentthenlater
failstocomplywithProgrampolicy,thiswillnormallyresultindismissal.
d) DismissalprohibitsthestudentfromeverparticipatingintheCooperativeEducation
ProgramoftheUniversityofCincinnati.Incasesofseriousmisconduct,astudentmaybe
dismissedwithoutanypreviousdisciplinaryactionbytheProfessionalStandardsReview
Committee.Dismissedstudentswillbenotifiedinwritingastotherationalefortheactionand
theeffectivedateofthedismissal.Dismissalactionsareterminalandreadmissiontothe
Programisnormallynotpermitted.

C. Petitioning
Inallcases,eitherorboththefacultyadviserandthestudentmaypresenttheissuesandrelevantinformation
tothePSRC.

1. StudentPetition
ItismostadvisableforthestudenttosubmittheinitialpetitiontotheCommittee.Thefollowingsteps
shouldbefollowedbyastudentpresentingacasetotheCommittee:
a) Secureacopyofthe"PetitionforProgramIrregularityformonlineorfromthefaculty
adviser.
b) Followtheinstructionsoftheformtocompletethepetitionform,includinganysupporting
documentation,andreturnittotheProfessionalPracticereceptionist.Thestudentsfaculty
adviserwillthenbenotifiedandinvitedtocommentviathesubmissionofaFacultyResponse
form.
c) ThePSRCwillmeettoreviewsubmittedpetitions.
d) AftertheCommitteemeetsandreachesadecision,acopyofthedecisionofthe
Committeewillbereturnedtothestudent.
e) ThestudentshouldcontactthefacultyadvisertoconfirmtheimpactoftheCommittees
decisiononthescheduleforfutureparticipationintheCooperativeEducationProgram.

2. FacultyPetition
Intheeventthatastudentdoesnotsubmitapetitionforhis/hersituationortheProfessionalPractice
FacultyAdviserdeemsitappropriate,thefacultyadvisermaysubmitapetitionforastudentcase
withoutaStudentPetition.Inthissituation,thefacultycompletesandsubmitstheFacultyReferral.
Thestudentwillreceiveconfirmationofthereceiptofhis/herfacultyadviserspetitionandnotification
ofthedateoftheupcomingPSRCmeeting.

AftertheCommitteemeetsandreachesadecision,thewrittendecisionoftheCommitteewillbe
communicatedtothestudent.Afterreceivingthedecision,thestudentshouldcontactthefaculty
advisertoconfirmtheimpactoftheCommitteesdecisiononthescheduleforfutureparticipationin
theCooperativeEducationProgram.

3. Appeals
Inafewcases,thestudentortheProfessionalPracticeFacultyAdvisermayfeelthatthedecisionofthe
Committeeisinappropriateorthatthecasewasnotpresentedeffectivelyinthepetition.Insuch
instances,thedecisionmaybeappealed.AllappealsrelatedtoaCommitteedecisionmustbe
submittedwithin30daysofthereceiptofthedecisionwhichisbeingappealed.
30

31

APPENDIXI

MOTORVEHICLERECIPROCITY

InOctober,1968,inMilwaukee,Wisconsin,thefollowingresolutionwaspassedbytheAmericanAssociationofMotor
VehicleAdministrators:

WHEREAS,residentsofonejurisdictionmayandoftendo,attendschoolsinotherjurisdictions;and
WHEREAS,asstudents,suchnonresidentsaretemporarilylivinginthejurisdictioninwhichtheirresidencesarenot
locatedandintendtoreturntotheirjurisdictionofresidence;and
WHEREAS,theAmericanAssociationofMotorVehicleAdministratorshasrecommendedthatdriver'slicensesshouldbe
issuedonlybyadriver'sjurisdictionofresidenceandthateachjurisdictionshouldrecognizeproperlylicensedoperators
whoareresidentsofotherstates,whetherornotsuchoperatorsbetouristsorgainfullyemployed.
NOW,THEREFORE,BEITRESOLVEDthat,forthepurposeofvehiclereciprocity,afulltimestudentwhohaspaidthe
applicabletuitionfeesnotberegardedashavingchangedthejurisdictionofhisresidencemerelybecauseofschool
attendanceinanotherstate,eventhoughhemayengageinparttimeemploymentinconjunctionwithhiscourseof
study."

Shouldstudentshaveaproblemrelatedtolocalregulationsrequiringtheregistrationofacar,itisadvisedthatacopyof
theaboveresolutionbeprovidedtothelocalMotorVehicleauthority.Invirtuallyeverycasethishasbeensufficientto
havetheregistrationrequirementwaived.

32

INDEX
A
Academic Program, 4
Academic Sanctions, 33
Academic Semester, 4
Accepting a Co-op Position, 17
Administrative Waiver, 21, 33
Administrative Waiver with Prejudice, 33
Advanced Standing, 4, 13, 32
Application Process, 12, 13, 25
Assignments on Co-op, 4, 28, 29

Learning Objectives, 4, 28, 29

Location, Hours, Contact Information, 5

M
Mandatory Programs, 4
Matriculated, 4, 9
Military Obligations, 26

C
Certificates, 31
Changing Employers, Changing Jobs, 22
Classes During the Co-op Semester, 23
Compensation, 17, 24
Co-op Assignments, 4
Co-op Employer, 4, 33
Co-op Position, 4, 17
Co-op Registration, 18, 28
Co-op Semester, 4, 19, 23
Cooperative Education Calendar, 21, 26, 27, 28, 30
Courses, 15

E
Equal Opportunity, 17

Offenses, 32

P
Post Co-op Reflection, 4, 29
Professional Practice Faculty Adviser, 4, 5, 7, 12, 13, 16, 17,
18, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 34, 35
Professional Standards Review Committee (PSRC), 4, 8, 13,
21, 24, 26, 27, 32, 33, 34

R
Readmission, 13
Referral process, 5
Registering for Co-op, 18, 28
Relocation, 18
Requirements, Program, 9, 28, 29
ROTC, 21, 26, 27, 32, 33

Financial Aid, 20

S
G

Geographic Preference, 16
Grades, 15, 28

Scholarships, 20
Section Assignment, 16
Standards of Professional Conduct, 22
State Residency, 19
Student Petition, 21, 26, 32, 34, 35
Student PSRC Petition, 21, 26, 32, 34, 35
Student Report, 4, 29

Health Insurance, 19, 20

Housing, 19

T
I

Illness, 21
Independent Contracting, 24
International Co-op, 6, 15, 21, 31
International Students, 9, 19
Interviews, 17
Introduction to Cooperative Education, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15, 16
Introduction to International Cooperative Education, 15

Transfer Students, 3, 5, 10
Transition Students, 5

U
Unemployment Compensation, 24

W
Withdrawal, 24, 25
Work Tenure, 22

Learning Goals, 29

33