Please Review by October 16: Updated Employee Handbook

Dear faculty and staff,

An updated Employee Handbook has officially been approved by the President’s Cabinet this September. We ask all employees to review the revised handbook and complete the mandatory receipt acknowledgment form.

Summary of Updates and Policy Changes

Administrative Titles: Updated to correctly reflect the Director of Human Resources and Vice President for Finance and Operations.
Section V – FERPA: Added a new section dedicated to FERPA guidelines.
1.2 Equal Employment Opportunity: Expanded reporting procedures and anti-retaliation language.
1.5 Background Checks: Instituted routine background re-checks every 5 years for all employees.
1.8 Orientation: Clarified introductory procedures and expectations.
2.6 Performance Evaluations: Comprehensive update to the evaluation policy.
2.8 Inclement Weather Days: Added remote work expectations for positions capable of working remotely during closures.
3.1 Holidays: Added Juneteenth and the day before Thanksgiving to observed holidays.
3.15 Insurance Benefits: Updated to reflect our current health insurance coverage and options.
3.19–3.21 Tuition Remission & Assistance:
- Added graduate programs and certificate coursework to employee tuition remission.
- Added Acadeum courses to exclusions.
- Updated tuition exchange details.
- Transitioned the advanced degree loan program to an advanced degree tuition reimbursement program.
4.3 Financial Code of Conduct and Ethics: Updated whistleblower protection provisions.
4.20 Firearms and Dangerous Weapons: Prohibited items now explicitly include non-lethal firearms.
4.24 Administrative Leave: Added as a new official university policy.

Access and Acknowledgment

Review the Handbook:

You can review the updated handbook on the HU Portal under the Personnel section or directly via this link:

👉 Huntington University Employee Handbook
Complete the Acknowledgment:

After reviewing the changes, please submit the required acknowledgment form by Friday October 16, 2026.

👉 Sign the Employee Handbook Acknowledgment Form

If you have questions regarding any of these updates or require assistance accessing the documents, please contact Human Resources.

Thank you for your cooperation and commitment to our campus community.