Staff Handbook

This handbook for administrative staff provides information on the resources, policies and procedures of the College for Creative Studies.  It is intended for all employees whose principal responsibilities at the College involve non-teaching activities.  It applies to any full-time employee who is not designated as “full-time faculty,” even if they do some teaching.  Occasionally, administrative staff members also will serve as adjunct faculty.  In those cases, this handbook covers their full-time employment, and the adjunct faculty handbook applies to their assignment as adjunct faculty.

This handbook describes your employment relationship with CCS as an administrative staff member.  It includes information on compensation, benefit programs, and work schedules.  Its contents also will help you in understanding the College, in fulfilling your responsibilities, and in achieving the best for our students.  The faculty and administrative staff work together in accomplishing the College’s mission of nurturing creativity and educating students for careers in the exciting fields of visual arts and design.  Our collective dedication to the needs of our students; to high standards of education and service; and to continually strengthening our educational, student support, and administrative programs and processes gives character and quality to CCS as a place of learning.

While we hope your relationship with the College will be long and mutually beneficial, it should be recognized that this employee handbook is not a contract of employment.  Employment with the College for Creative Studies is voluntary, for an unspecified term and is “at will.”  No contract for employment shall be valid unless in writing and signed by the President.  As a member of the College, your employment with the College for Creative Studies is voluntarily entered into, and you are free to resign at any time.  Similarly, CCS is free to conclude its employment relationship with you at any time, with or without cause and with or without prior notice. 

The contents of this handbook have been approved by the Board of Trustees.  The appendices are an integral part of the handbook, and the handbook as a whole represents CCS policy.  CCS’s policies are in accord with Federal and Michigan employment law, and the policies in this handbook will be interpreted consistent with those obligations. Nothing in this handbook is intended to, nor will it be interpreted in a manner that would, interfere with employees’ rights to engage in concerted activity for mutual aid and protection under Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act or to engage in any other protected activity.  Policies and procedures may change from time to time. We will do our best to communicate changes in a timely manner. Open communication is the key to maintaining good working relationships among administrators and faculty.  If you have questions or concerns about any part of this handbook or any aspect of your employment at CCS, please speak with your immediate supervisor or the appropriate administrator.  Wide availability of information and candid discussion of problems will make CCS a better place in which to work and to learn.