Welcome from the President
Welcome to the California State University, San Bernardino campus community, where we share a dedication to excellence and student success. On behalf of all of us at CSUSB, thank you for accepting the university’s employment offer.
I greatly appreciate the collaborative and collegial nature of the people who work at our San Bernardino and Palm Desert campuses. The university has grown and flourished because of its people, not only because they have the skills, knowledge and potential to elevate the institution, but also because of an exemplary commitment to student success and building a better future for San Bernardino and Riverside counties. It really does take the hard work of everyone at the university for our institution to thrive, and we depend on each member of our team to perform the jobs they are assigned to the best of their abilities.
Know that we are a diverse institution of higher education, officially recognized as both a Minority Serving Institution (MSI) as well as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Our commitment to the values of diversity, equity and inclusion is not simply a set of words. Instead, we work every day to ensure that these values are structurally embedded in all that we do, so that we can provide a welcoming and supportive environment in which to work.
We hope that you enjoy your employment at Cal State San Bernardino and look forward to all that you will contribute to our institution. We believe that your addition to the CSUSB team will lead to a mutually beneficial and satisfying future for you and the university. Every person plays an essential role in making this university great – every student, every faculty member, every staff member.
Our goal is to provide you with the support and resources you need to perform your job effectively along with opportunities to grow through training and professional development programs. And if you ever have a question or need support, please ask. We have the resources in place to help you be successful.
CSUSB truly is an outstanding place to work and build your career, and it gives me great pleasure to welcome you.
Sincerely,
Tomás D. Morales
President
How to Use This Guide
This virtual employee handbook is broken up into alphabetized tabs that contain pertinent information and links to University services and to assist with your transition to CSU, San Bernardino. Select the menu item you wish to review and click on the (+) symbol to the right of the tab to expand. This content is updated regularly to ensure accurate resources are available to you. If you have any questions about your employment, please contact Human Resources at (909) 537-5138 or hr@csusb.edu.
Employee Handbook & Resource Guide
The CSU offers a comprehensive package of benefits including health plans, employee programs, savings plans, retirement and more. The CSU Employee Benefits Summary provides an overview of systemwide benefits.
Leaves of Absence
CSUSB may grant a leave of absence in certain circumstances. You should notify your supervisor and Human Resources in writing 30 days in advance or as soon as you become aware that you may need a leave of absence.
CSUSB will consider your request in accordance with applicable law and the campus' leave policies. You will be notified whether your leave request is granted or denied. If you are granted leave, you must comply with the terms and conditions of the leave, including keeping in touch with your supervisor and Human Resources during your leave, and giving prompt notice if there is any change in your return date.
CSUSB offers several leave options to help staff cope with life situations:
Monthly Vacation Accrual
Family Medical Leave (FML)
Pregnancy Disability Leave (PDL)
Parental Leave
Nonindustrial Disability Insurance Leave (NDI)
Catastrophic Leave
Bereavement & Funeral Leave
Organ Donor Leave
Leave of Absence without Pay
Jury Duty
Time Off to Vote
Military Leave
Military Family Leave
For additional information please visit the Benefits webpage under the benefits drop down window.
Retirement
California Public Employee Retirement System, also known as CalPERS, offers a 'defined benefit' plan which provides retirement benefits. There are a variety of retirement formulas that are determined by the member's employer (State, school, or local public agency); occupation (miscellaneous (general office and others), safety, industrial, or peace officer/firefighter); and the specific provisions in the contract between CalPERS and the employer.
To view details about your retirement benefits, please visit the Retirement website.
All-Gender Restroom Locations
CSUSB is committed to meeting all students' needs, including the needs of transgender and gender non-conforming students, by expanding access to all-gender restrooms on campus. For campus restroom locations, please visit All-Gender Restroom Locations.
Athletics
The CSUSB Mascot is the Yote. The campus sponsors 10 sport teams; 6 of them compete on the CSUSB campus. Faculty and staff are encouraged to attend all CSUSB home events and are often recognized for their special contributions at half-time and pre-game! In case you cannot join in-person, we offer live streaming of our NCAA Division II nationally ranked Volleyball and Men's Basketball teams as well as Men's/Women's Soccer, Softball and Baseball. You can view events on the CCAA Network Livestream. Competition Schedules can be found on the CSUSB Athletics website. Engage with us on social media by following us on Twitter and Instagram!
Instagram: csusb_athletics
Twitter: @csusbathletics
Check the mobile ticketing website for more information on ticket pricing.
Children's Center
The CSUSB Early Childhood Education Programs support students and families within the university and community at large by providing high quality childcare and hands-on learning experiences through developmentally appropriate practices, building relationships, and recognizing individual strengths and values. During the summer, a program for school age children ages 6-12 is also available. The program typically runs from June through the beginning of August. For application and information pertaining to fees and other details please visit the Children's Center.
Entertainment Ticket Discounts
Associated Students, Inc. (ASI) has partnered with Employee Student Tickets to offer discounted tickets to movies, hotels, amusement parks, and events. To register and explore discount options, visit Employee Student Tickets. Please use the company access code "COYOTEFUN" and login using your CSUSB email address.
Lactation Rooms
To support our nursing mothers and their children, CSUSB provides private space and reasonable break time for lactating mothers to express milk or nurse their child. These spaces are located at various locations throughout the campus. Some spaces do require reservations. Please note that we do not offer equipment or refrigerator space.
For more information please visit the Lactation Rooms page:
Library
The John M. Pfau Library and the Helene A. Hixon Center (Palm Desert Campus) are open to all employees, and you are invited to use the collections. Books, multimedia equipment, and media are available for you to borrow. Please see our check-out policies for more information. With your coyote credentials, you also have a wealth of resources available to you digitally and through CSU+ and interlibrary loan, discover these through OneSearch. Visit the Library’s website to learn more about the resources available to you as an employee of CSUSB.
Recreation and Wellness Center
The CSUSB Recreation and Wellness Center offers free memberships to all full-time staff through president promotion. Membership gives access to the swimming pool, volleyball court, basketball, personal training, weight room, adventure trips, group exercise classes and workshops, and the outdoor training areas.
For additional information and schedules please visit the Recreation and Wellness Center website.
Santos Manuel Student Union
The Santos Manuel Student Union (SMSU) is a focal point of the campus where students, faculty, staff, administration, alumni, and guests can develop an enduring relationship with our campus. The SMSU serves as the campus social hub.
To learn more, please visit the SMSU website.
Yotie Eats/Dining on Campus
Yotie Eats’ mission is to make dining on campus a complementary experience to attending classes or going to work at CSU San Bernardino. With that in mind, there are Voluntary Meal Plan options designed to provide meal plan holders with access to the appropriate number of meals to fit busy schedules and their individual needs. The options offer both value and convenience and provide Yoties with a clear path to success and a fulfilling CSUSB experience.
To view campus dining options and meal plans, please visit Dine On Campus.
The University Police Department (UPD) strives to provide "Quality Service" by providing providing professional service with honor, integrity, and a commitment to excellence to the community. UPD performs its mission through crime prevention, victim assistance, and emergency response preparedness. Campus safety is a community effort, and the department embraces a community partnership and problem-oriented policing philosophy. UPD strives daily to live by the department motto, "Campus Safety Through Service."
If you would like an escort to your vehicle after hours, you may dial extension 75165, and a campus patrol aide will meet you. Additionally, emergency telephones (red cover/blue light) are located on the exterior grounds and inside campus buildings.
Please dial 911 in an emergency. The University Police Department’s regular business telephone number is extension 77777 from any campus telephone (except pay phones). Promptly report any situations or events that may require the intervention of the CSUSB Police Department.
Please visit the University Police website for more information.
Most California State University, San Bernardino employees are covered by Collective Bargaining Agreements (CBAs) with unions. The Employee and Labor Relations Office ensures compliance with the CBAs. CBAs include guidelines and policies specific to each union, and when they differ from campus policies, these contracts supersede the information contained in this virtual guide.
To access your CBA, select the relevant union below.
The California State University (CSU) has responsibility to protect sensitive personal data and maintain confidentiality of that data under the Information Practices Act (IPA), Title 5, and the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).
CSUSB with a need for access to confidential personal information must complete a Confidentiality & Compliance Form. This form is filed in the Human Resources Department. It is the responsibility of each department manager to ensure that forms are completed by their employees and returned to Human Resources.
For further information, please visit the Confidentiality of Personal Information webpage.
ADA Americans Disabilities Act
California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) is committed to maintaining an inclusive learning and working environment in which all individuals are treated with dignity and respect. To that end, CSUSB strives to make its programs, services, and activities accessible to students, faculty, staff, and members of the general public who have disabilities.
To document a disability and request a reasonable accommodation under the ADA, an employee must complete and submit an Employee Request for Accommodation Application and Medical Provider Inquiry Form in Response to an Accommodation Request.
Application and more information can be found at ADA Americans Disabilities Act | Human Resources | CSUSB.
EAP
LifeMatters is a free employee assistance program offered to CSUSB employees and their families when they need helpful guidance, counseling, local resources, or reliable professional care. Eligible employees and any members of their household, including dependents living away from home, have 24-hour access to confidential services that support emotional well-being, safety, and productivity in the workplace.
For additional information please visit the Employee Assistance Program webpage.
Staff Council Staff Emergency Fund
The CSUSB Staff Council administers the Staff Emergency Fund. This fund is made available because of CSUSB staff and faculty who have donated funds to provide assistance to staff in need. There is NO repayment required, and if you are not in need at this time, please consider contributing to the Staff Emergency Fund, so that we can continue assisting staff members in the future!
For additional information please visit the Apply & Donate webpage.
CSUSB observes thirteen paid holidays. Please visit the campus calendar to view holidays.
One personal holiday per calendar year is also available to you. Use of a personal holiday must be scheduled by mutual agreement with your supervisor. Every employee receives the personal Holiday each January 1, which does not carry forward if not used by December 31 of each year.
On days when the campus is closed, such as the day after Thanksgiving, you may use CTO, personal holiday, or vacation time to receive compensation for that day.
The observance of Lincoln's Birthday, Washington's Birthday, Admission Day, and Columbus Day is deferred until the end of the year so that the University can be closed during the last week of December.
For additional information please visit the Holidays website.
The Operations team within Human Resources is the first point of contact for campus employees who have HR-related questions. The team oversees new hire on-boarding intake, employment verifications, the volunteer program, completion of probation status letters, employee information updates, Employee Service Awards, off-boarding, and other HR operation support functions. HR Operations may be reached at (909) 537-5138 or hr@csusb.edu.
Employment Verification
CSUSB is a member of the Work Number employment and income verification program. This program allows employees to request their personal information and may provide non-confidential employment and income information to verifiers, such as banks, lenders, rental companies, etc.
Please visit Employment Verification for more information.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
CSUSB is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program. The COS team verifies employment, and for information regarding eligibility for the PSLF program and how to apply, please go to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program webpage.
Coyote One identification cards are available for staff and faculty. These cards are important not only to confer employee status, but with an ID, employees are entitled to library privileges and discounts to certain university events. Coyote One cards can be obtained by completing an Employee I.D. Card Request form and submitting a completed form to Information Technology Services on campus.
To obtain an I.D. card request form and support in obtaining your I.D. card please visit the HR front desk in Sierra Hall 101 or call (909) 537-5138
The Office of Equity, Inclusion and Compliance (IEC)
CSUSB takes Discrimination, Harassment, Retaliation (DHR), Title IX, sexual misconduct, and Whistleblower very seriously. The Office of IEC's goal is to provide the campus community with education, awareness, reporting options, and meaningful assistance. Please see the content below and visit the Institutional Equity and Compliance website for more details.
Discrimination, Harassment, and Retaliation (DHR)
Members of the CSU community have the right to live, work, and learn in an environment free of discrimination, harassment, and retaliation. It is the policy of CSUSB that no student, employee, volunteer, member of the public, or recipient of services and/or benefits provided by CSUSB shall be subjected to any form of prohibited discrimination in any CSUSB programs or activities. For more information, visit the campus DHR website.
Title IX
Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, and certain other federal and state laws, prohibit discrimination on the basis of gender or sexual orientation in employment, as well as in all education programs and activities operated by the University (both on and off campus), including admissions. The protection against discrimination on the basis of gender or sexual orientation includes sexual harassment, sexual misconduct, and gender-based dating and domestic violence, and stalking. This policy is available online:
Any person may report sex discrimination, including sexual harassment (whether or not the person reporting is the person alleged to have experienced the conduct that could constitute sex discrimination or sexual harassment), by phone, mail, or electronic mail, to the Title IX Coordinator, or by any other means that results in the Title IX Coordinator receiving the person’s verbal or written report. Such a report may be made at any time (including during non-business hours) by using the telephone number or electronic mail address, or by mail to the office address, listed for the Title IX Coordinator.
Further information can be found on the Institutional Equity & Compliance website.
Whistleblower Protection
The California Whistleblower Protection Act (The Act), which gives the California State Auditor the authority to receive and investigate complaints about improper governmental activities, also protects every state employee who files a complaint from suffering any retaliation their state employer for having made the complaint. The Act forbids every state official and employee from retaliating or attempting to retaliate against an employee or applicant for employment who reports an improper activity. Retaliation includes intimidation, the denial of appointment or promotion, a threat of adverse action, a poor performance evaluation, involuntary transfer, or any form of disciplinary action.
If you believe you are the victim of retaliation as a result of filing a whistleblower complaint with the California State Auditor's Office, you may contact the CSU Vice Chancellor for Human Resources, in writing, at 401 Golden Shore, Long Beach, CA 90802. For information about making a report, call (562) 951-4425.
The use of CSUSB-owned or CSUSB-leased vehicles, as well as rental of vehicles for university business, is limited to authorized employees. These vehicles must only be used in work-related activities and may not be used for personal business or activities.
All employees authorized to drive any vehicle, whether personal, CSUSB-owned or CSUSB-leased or rented vehicles for use in conducting university business must possess a current, valid California driver’s license, current certification of passing the CSUSB Defensive Driving Test, and an acceptable driving record. Any change in license status or driving record must be reported to management immediately.
For additional information please visit the Vehicle Use Policy webpage.
Parking is enforced 24 hours a day, seven days a week. All parking regulations and information may be found online on the Parking website. Employees who wish to park on campus must always display a valid parking permit. Employees have three parking permit options: daily permits, semester permits, or annual permits.
Daily Permits are $2 per day (Faculty/Staff ID is required) and must be retrieved from the Information Center Kiosk at the entrance of campus. Semester Permits are available online for purchase on the Parking website. Faculty/Staff Permits are valid in Faculty/Staff spaces and General spaces. After purchasing the permit, be sure to print your temporary parking permit and display it until you pick up your permit from the Parking Services Office at UH-039.
Annual Permits are available to those who are eligible, and the parking fee is processed via payroll deduction. If eligible, you will receive information about how to make the initial enrollment payment and complete the Enrollment Form to receive your permit. Faculty/Staff Permits are valid in Faculty/Staff spaces and General spaces Be sure to print your temporary parking permit and display it until your permit is ready for pick up from the Parking Services Office at UH-039.
University employees are paid once per month, usually the last workday of the month. Hourly employees are paid mid-month following the month in which they worked. Please refer to the annual Human Resources faculty/staff calendar for specific dates.
Payroll calendars are available online in the Resources section of the Payroll website.
Paychecks/Direct Deposit
Paychecks are normally available by 3 p.m. on a given payday. If there is an error in your check, please report it immediately to your manager.
Employees are highly encouraged to sign up for direct deposit. Direct deposits are usually posted to eligible employee bank accounts by no later than the first business day following the last day of the pay period, depending upon the practice at the respective financial institution. Employees may designate one bank account for automatic deposit of their paychecks. All the required enrollment and consent forms are available from the Payroll Office. Once enrolled in direct deposit, all compensation payments will be paid as direct deposit to the employee’s designated account.
Salary Advances / Loans
Employees may request a maximum of one salary advance per fiscal year. Please refer to the campus salary advance policy for terms and conditions of salary advances. The salary advance program may be discontinued at any time.
For additional information please visit the Payroll website.
CalConnect
Access to your paystubs and W-2s is available at Cal Connect. Please register via the Cal Connect website.
Policies
California State University policies establish oversight, guidelines, and procedures for nearly every aspect of the 23 campuses and the Office of the Chancellor. To view the systemwide policies, visit the CSU Policy Library.
A list of CSUSB University policies is available on the campus policy website.
CSUSB follows all California State Labor Laws and Federal Labor Laws.
Workers' Compensation benefits are designed to provide you with the medical treatment needed to help you recover from an injury or illness caused by work. More information is available through the California Department of Industrial Relations (Calif. Division of Workers' Compensation) at: I Was Injured At Work.
If you are injured or become ill because of your job, you may be entitled to Workers' Compensation Benefits. CSUSB has a Workers' Compensation Specialist who provides assistance if a worker or CSU volunteer becomes injured. The Specialist will provide information regarding benefit options for an injured employee and will assist with the claim processing reporting of industrial injuries. Please be sure to immediately report your injury to your supervisor and Risk Management to get the process started. Submit the form online or contact Risk Management at (909) 537-3937. The third-party administrator for Worker's Compensation is Sedgwick CMS and can be reached at (510) 302-3000.
For more information, please visit Risk Management's Worker Compensation website.
CSU, San Bernardino's (CSUSB) normal operating hours are Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. When in effect, during the designated summer months, CSUSB operates on a 4/10 schedule, with business hours from 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, closed on Fridays.
Your appropriate administrator will discuss your assigned work schedule and you will be expected to begin and end work promptly according to your schedule. Based on operational need, it may be necessary to change individual work schedules on either a short-term or long-term basis.
A thirty-minute or one-hour lunch may be taken, depending on the assigned work schedule. Rest periods consist of 15 minutes for each 4 hours worked. Rest periods are not to be cumulative and must be taken at the designated time.
Non-exempt employees must record their actual time worked for payroll and benefit purposes. Non-exempt employees are to record when time worked begins and ends, as well as the beginning and ending time of each meal period. Non-exempt employees must also record any departure from work for any non-work-related reason, i.e., vacation, sick time etc.
Altering, falsifying, and tampering time records, or recording time on another employee’s time record is prohibited and will be subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment. Exempt employees may also be required to record their time worked and report full days of absence from work for reasons such as leaves of absence, sick leave, vacation, or personal business. It is your responsibility to sign your time record to certify the accuracy of all time recorded. Any errors in your timecard should be reported immediately to your supervisor, who will address legitimate errors.
Generally, exempt managerial, administrative, and professional employees are not eligible for overtime compensation. Employees may be required to work overtime on occasions when it is absolutely necessary. However, overtime work is not expected of an employee unless it is assigned by the supervisor in advance and under no circumstances may work be performed on an overtime basis without proper prior authorization. Overtime is defined as authorized time worked in excess of forty (40) hours in a week (7 days).
Absence Reporting
The university depends upon all its employees to fulfill its mission of serving the students and community. All employees are expected to consistently demonstrate good attendance practices. If you will be absent to your position, it is your responsibility to report your absence to your supervisor. Your supervisor will provide instructions for reporting absences according to procedures established by your department. Absences due to illness, an emergency or other uncontrollable circumstances must be reported immediately, prior to or at the latest the beginning of your scheduled work period along with an indication of when you will be returning to work. Planned absences are to be arranged in advance and approved by your Supervisor.
For additional information please visit the Payroll website.