Stony Brook University: Employment Prospects For Students

Stony Brook University offers a wide range of employment opportunities for its students, both on campus and off campus. The university is committed to fostering an inclusive and diverse work environment, welcoming people from all backgrounds and not discriminating on the basis of disability. Students can find job opportunities through the Handshake platform, the only job-posting site at Stony Brook University, which serves as a recruiting and career services platform. The university also offers a Student Employment Program, which provides guidelines and safety protocols for student staff members and their supervisors. Additionally, Stony Brook University is the largest single-site employer on Long Island, offering a diverse range of employment opportunities for its staff. The university provides a dynamic and internationally recognized research environment, ensuring a world-class education for its students.

Stony Brook University is committed to diversity in employment

The university's Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Intercultural Initiatives (DI3) works to enhance student, faculty, and staff diversity, and to build an inclusive community. Stony Brook University defines the rich diversity of its students, faculty, clinicians, and staff as a defining characteristic and an essential source of strength for its campus community. The university aims to progressively reflect the values, changes, and understanding that a diverse learning environment benefits everyone.

Stony Brook University is committed to excellence in diversity and the creation of an inclusive learning and working environment. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and all other protected classes under federal or state laws. The university is an Equal Opportunities Employer.

The Career Center at Stony Brook University has a deliberate goal of addressing the systemic career-related disadvantages faced by its students and alumni who identify as underrepresented, underserved, BIPOC, veterans, LGBTQ+, and/or students with accessibility needs. The Career Center provides guidance on how to address injustice in the workplace and facilitates open dialogue about how intersectional identities are affected in the workplace, through 1:1 sessions, group chats, and webinars/workshops.

Student employment program guidelines and safety protocols

Stony Brook University is committed to providing a diverse range of employment opportunities for its students. The university's Student Employment Program has specific guidelines and safety protocols that must be followed by all student staff members and their supervisors.

Student Employment Program Guidelines:

• Students must be matriculated/have fees paid for the current semester and be pursuing a degree on a full-time or part-time basis.
• Students must maintain good academic standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 and not be on academic warning or probation.
• International students need to obtain a Social Security Number (SSN) to work on campus and should contact Visa & Immigration Services for more information.
• All students must complete the I-9 form and provide original, unexpired acceptable documents as mandated by the federal government.
• Attendance at the New Student Employee Orientation is mandatory, covering topics such as work eligibility, types of positions, work hour restrictions, and workplace etiquette.
• Students can only work a maximum number of hours per week, as specified by their position, and these restrictions apply even if they have multiple jobs.
• Employees must be enrolled full-time, engaged in work related to their education and training, and work part-time during the academic year when classes are in session.
• Students are typically appointed by semester and do not work continuously over a 12-month period.

Safety Protocols:

• All student staff members and supervisors are expected to adhere to the University's safety protocols outlined in the Stronger Together webpage.
• Supervisors should ensure a safe working environment by identifying and addressing hazards to prevent injuries, illnesses, and accidents.
• Students and supervisors should be familiar with emergency procedures and evacuation plans in case of an on-campus incident.
• Regular safety training and drills should be conducted to prepare students and staff for potential safety risks.

Requirements for working on campus

Stony Brook University offers a wide range of employment opportunities for its students, with the added benefit of being the largest single-site employer on Long Island. The university's commitment to diversity and inclusivity in its hiring practices is commendable, ensuring that all qualified applicants are considered without regard to race, colour, national origin, religion, sex, and other protected classes.

To be eligible for on-campus employment at Stony Brook University, students must fulfil certain requirements:

• Matriculated Student Status: Students must be admitted to the university and pursuing a degree, either full-time or part-time. This means they are considered matriculated students with fees paid for the current semester.
• Good Academic Standing: Maintaining a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 and not being on academic warning or probation is essential.
• Social Security Number (SSN) and Identification: Students are required to provide their SSN and present their original SS card. International students who don't have an SSN must obtain one and then contact Visa and Immigration Services for further guidance.
• I-9 Form/Employment Eligibility Verification: After being hired, students must complete the I-9 form with their supervisor, bringing along original and unexpired acceptable documents as mandated by federal law.
• New Student Employee Orientation: Attendance at the New Student Employee Orientation is mandatory for all new student employees. This orientation covers essential topics such as work eligibility, types of positions, work hour restrictions, and workplace etiquette, ensuring that students are well-prepared for their on-campus jobs.
• Review of Position Types and Work Hours: Students need to be aware of the different types of positions available and the maximum number of hours they can work per week during the fall and spring semesters. These restrictions apply even if a student holds multiple jobs on campus.
• Research Foundation Statement of Policy: To be appointed to a student title, employees must meet specific criteria, including being enrolled as a full-time student, engaging in work related to their academic program, and working part-time during the academic year when classes are in session.
• Semester-based Appointments: Typically, students are appointed by semester and do not work continuously for 12 months.

The Stony Brook University Student Employment Program emphasises the importance of adhering to university guidelines and safety protocols for both student staff members and their supervisors.

Student employment clearance and work hour restrictions

Stony Brook University offers a Student Employment Program, which expects all student staff members and their supervisors to adhere to the university's guidelines and safety protocols. The program includes an orientation for new student employees, which covers work eligibility, types of positions, work hour restrictions, workplace etiquette, and the use of Stony Brook SOLAR.

Work Hour Restrictions

According to the SUNY Student Assistant Policy, students are limited to a maximum of 29 hours of work per week across all assignments, including semester breaks and the summer. International students have further restrictions, being limited to working no more than 20 hours per week while classes are in session, per USCIS regulations.

Additionally, students must adhere to the following regulations:

• Between Sunday and Saturday, a worker must have one consecutive 24-hour period of rest.
• A worker must take a 30-minute break after working 6 consecutive hours. This applies even if a student has more than one assignment.

Student Employment Clearance

The student employment clearance page defines specific restrictions for certain students, including those on academic probation, graduate students receiving a stipend, and international students. Students must also be enrolled in the current semester, be in good academic standing with a minimum 2.0 cumulative GPA, and provide a Social Security Number and identification.

Student employment opportunities and benefits

Stony Brook University is committed to providing equal opportunities for its students and staff. The university is the largest single-site employer on Long Island, and it values diversity in its workforce. It also recognises the unique talents and needs of military veterans and is proud to hire and support them.

The university offers a wide range of student employment opportunities on campus. Students can find job postings on Handshake, the Career Center's recruiting and career services platform. To be eligible to work on campus, students must be matriculated (i.e., admitted to the university and pursuing a degree full-time or part-time) and in good academic standing with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. They must also provide a Social Security Number (SSN) and identification, and complete an I-9 Form/Employment Eligibility Verification. International students need to obtain an SSN and contact Visa and Immigration Services for guidance. All new student employees must attend a mandatory orientation that covers work eligibility, types of positions, work hour restrictions, and workplace etiquette.

There are various types of positions available for students, including Student Assistant (SA), Graduate Assistant (GA), Research Assistant, and Federal Work Study (FWS). Student Assistants can work a maximum of 29 hours per week and are paid by the university. Graduate Assistants can work up to 20 hours per week and may receive a stipend or tuition reimbursement. Research Assistants support academic research agendas and can work 20 or 29 hours during the school year, depending on the department. Federal Work Study is a need-based financial aid program that provides qualifying students with employment opportunities to fund their education. Students can work up to 40 hours per week and receive funds in the form of bi-weekly paychecks.

Stony Brook University also participates in the Community Service Federal Work Study (CSFWS) program, which offers eligible students the chance to work for public or non-profit organisations that benefit the community. This program allows students to gain industry experience while contributing to the community's welfare.

The university ensures that student employees are paid fairly, with minimum wage requirements in place. As of 12/31/2024, the minimum hourly wage for students is $16.50. Student employees receive supervision and guidance from their supervisors and are expected to adhere to university guidelines and safety protocols.

Frequently asked questions