OCU Staff
Handbook
Introduction
Employee Welcome Message
Organization Description
Introductory Statement
Employee Acknowledgment Form
Mission Statement
February 1, 2002
Welcome to
Oklahoma City
University. There is a sense of
purpose and commitment here that makes us all proud to invest our professional
time and energy. You will enjoy being part of this institution.
We believe
that each employee can contribute direct to the mission of OCU and to our
growth and success. We hope you will take pride in being a part of this
university community and the many avenues of service it affords.
This handbook
was developed to detail the expectations of our employees and to outline the
policies, programs, and benefits available to eligible employees. You should
familiarize yourself with the contents of the employee handbook as soon as
possible, for it will answer many questions about employment with OCU.
You will find
that your work experience will be challenging, enjoyable, and rewarding. We are
glad you chose to pursue your career at OCU.
Sincerely,
Tom J. McDaniel
President
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ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION
Oklahoma City University is a
United
Methodist
University that provides a
rigorous value-centered education.
FACILITIES
AND LOCATIONS:
Oklahoma City University is located on a
beautiful sixty-five acre campus in the heart of Oklahoma City. In a park-like
setting, student and staff enjoy the history and architecture of historic
buildings along with innovative renovations and state-of-the art new
facilities. The campus is designed to be esthetically pleasing while ensuring
the safety and security of student, faculty and staff.
Oklahoma City University offers off-campus
classes at various facilities in Oklahoma City, Tulsa and in several
countries overseas.
BRIEF HISTORY OF OCU
Oklahoma City University was chartered as
Epworth
University on September 1, 1904. The first students came to a sixty-five acre
campus that boasted one all-purpose building. One hundred sixteen enrolled that
fall. The original building is still standing and forms part of
Epworth
United
Methodist
Church in Oklahoma City.
Surviving the
storms of financial difficulties, the University was moved to
Guthrie, Oklahoma in the fall of 1911.
Classes were conducted in the old Oklahoma
Territory capitol building. At
this time the name was changed to Methodist University of Oklahoma. In 1922,
the name was changed to Oklahoma City
College. The college was
relocated to its present location in Oklahoma City. The current
administration building housed both classrooms and student dormitories. In
1924, the college was renamed Oklahoma City
University.
Currently
4500 students attend OCU enrolled in a broad spectrum of curriculum offerings.
Degrees are offered in the following:
Petree College of Arts and Sciences
Meinders School of Business
School of Law
Kramer School of Nursing
Wimberly School of Religion and Graduate Theological
Center
Margaret E. Petree College of Music and Performing
Arts
School of Dance and Arts Management
School of Music
CHANCELLORS OF OKLAHOMA CITY
UNIVERSITY
Dr. George
Henry Bradford 1905-1912
Dr. William Fiedler 1912-1914
Dr. Edward Hislop 1914-1917
Dr. C.Q. Smith 1957-1960
Dr. Jerald C. Walker 1997-2001
PRESIDENTS OF OKLAHOMA CITY UNIVERSITY
Dr. R.B. McSwain 1904-1905
Dr. G.J. Jones (Interim) 1905
Dr. Edwin George Green 1918-1923
Dr. Eugene M. Antrim 1923-1934
Dr. Walter Scott Athern 1934
Dr. Aaron G. Williamson 1934-1941
Dr. Cluster Q. Smith 1941-1957
Dr. Jack Stauffer Wilkes 1957 - 1963
Dr. Dolphus Whitten, Jr. (Interim) 1963 - 1964
Dr. John F. Olson 1964 - 1969
Dr. Dolphus Whitten, Jr. 1969-1978
Dr. Willis Wheat (Interim) 1978 - 1979
Dr. Jerald C. Walker 1979 - 1997
Dr. David Cawthon (Interim) 1997 - 1998
Dr. Stephen Jennings 1998 - 2001
Mr. Tom J. McDaniel 2001-
ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE
Board of
Trustees
Executive Level of University Administration
President
Vice-President for Academic Affairs
Vice-President for Administration and Finance
Vice-President for Student Development
Vice-President for Institutional Advancement
Vice-President for University/Church Relations
Vice-President for International Relations
Vice-President for Enrollment Management
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INTRODUCTION TO STAFF HANDBOOK
This handbook is designed to acquaint you with OCU and provide you with
information about working conditions, employee benefits, and some of the
policies affecting your employment. You should read, understand, and comply
with all provisions of the handbook. It describes many of your responsibilities
as an employee and outlines the programs developed by OCU to benefit employees.
One of our objectives is to provide a work environment that is conducive to
both personal and professional growth.
No employee
handbook can anticipate every circumstance or question about policy nor does
this handbook constitute a contract. OCU reserves the right to revise,
supplement, or rescind any policies or portion of the handbook from time to
time as it deems appropriate, in its sole and absolute discretion. Employees
will, of course, be notified of such changes to the handbook as they occur.
Employees are
subject to additional departmental policies and procedures. Due to the
technical and critical nature of their job duties, Security personnel must
adhere to all requirements in the Security Department Policy and Procedure
Manual.
To: All Staff Employees
Instructions:
Upon receipt of a copy of the OCU Staff Handbook, please sign this Employee
Acknowledgement form and return it to the Personnel Office.
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EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I have received a copy of the Oklahoma City University Staff Handbook this
date. I understand the handbook provisions are not intended to serve as an
employment contract, and are subject to change from
time to time.
I further
understand that:
(i) revisions to the handbook may occur from time to
time, and such revisions shall apply to my employment; (ii) a copy of any such
handbook revisions will be made available to me by OCU; and (iii) it is my
responsibility to read and comply with the provisions of the handbook, as
revised.
I acknowledge
and understand: (i) my employment has no specified
term of duration; (ii) either I or OCU may terminate my employment at will, so
long as there is no violation of applicable federal or state law; and (iii) if
my employment is involuntarily terminated by OCU, I may utilize the Grievance
Procedures set forth in the handbook as revised from time to time, and will
have all protection provided by applicable federal and state employment
discrimination laws.
Dated this _________________day of________________________,
______________.
Employee Name
(Printed) Department_____________________________________
Employee
Signature Date of Signature_____________________________________
Social Security Number ____________________
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MISSION STATEMENT
Oklahoma City University embraces the United
Methodist tradition of scholarship and service and welcomes all faiths in a
diverse student-centered environment. Men and women pursue academic excellence
through a rigorous curriculum that focuses on their intellectual, spiritual,
moral and physical development to prepare them to become effective leaders in
service in their communities.
Guiding Principles
Oklahoma City University is guided by the
following core values:
a. The total
University educates.
b. Personal involvement is essential to learning
c. A religious dimension in human experience is inescapable.
d. A broad base of knowledge in the foundation for critical thinking and
creative solutions to complex issues.
In the
tradition of United Methodist higher education the University is committed to
students through the following purposes:
a. To seek,
advance, and transmit truth as its primary responsibility
b. To cultivate ethical and humane behavior, enhance value judgment, and stress
the moral use of knowledge and skills
c. To develop social consciousness through academic and
co-curricular programs.
d. To stress the importance of spiritual,
intellectual, and physical development; and
e. To provide an aesthetic and cultural experience.
Oklahoma City University fulfills these
purposes by providing the following:
a.
Undergraduate, graduate and professional academic programs that emphasize,
examine and encourage intellectual, religious and aesthetic experience and
growth:
b. Lifelong learning programs empowering individuals to lead productive and
creative lives
c. Activities that support and enhance the quality of campus life;
d. Service to a global community of learners;
e. Opportunities for worship and service in the Christian and other tradition;
and
f. Culture and aesthetic opportunities to the community
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