Employer Recruiting Policies

Valenti School of Communication as adapted the policies developed by University Career Services to ensure that University of Houston students and alumni are treated fairly and are being recruited for viable positions. Employers recruiting at the University of Houston are expected to abide by and adhere to the employment rules and regulations of the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE) Principals for Professional Practice, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Fair Labor Standards Act, and the Texas Workforce Commission.

Job Posting Policies

Job and internship postings are reviewed and approved/rejected based upon the information contained in the postings. Excessive postings and misleading postings are not allowed. Postings that do not correspond to a company’s actual interviewing, hiring and compensation practices, or postings that misrepresent the identity and affiliation of the employer, are not allowed.

Valenti School of Communication reserves the right to deny job postings for not following the policies below or due to the position not being the right fit for our student community.

An employer seeking to post open positions on Experience Valenti must abide by the following policies:

General Policies
All jobs and internships posted must be career-related and/or professionally oriented. Please note Experience Valenti allows contract, temporary, and seasonal positions, but only if they are professionally oriented.

Recruiters must agree to the University’s nondiscrimination and equal opportunity policy.

Position Type
Employers must select the appropriate position type. The position type must align with the job position and be clearly identified within the description.

Description
Employers must list five (5) – ten (10) job duties, responsibilities or tasks. Job postings that fail to list a job description or list very few details will be denied. This information is important in providing candidates with enough information to decide whether or not to apply for the position.

Location

Employers listing jobs that require students or alumni to work in private or personal residences, apartments, condos, etc. will not be approved. (Examples: caregiver, nanny, in-home tutor, and startup company positions that place students/alumni in residential homes).

Salary / Compensation
Employers failing to list an acceptable salary description will be denied. Acceptable options include:

  • A salary range (i.e. $15-$20 per hour)

  • A specific amount (i.e. $40,000 per year)

  • “Depending or based on experience”

Unpaid Internships
Unpaid internships will be reviewed for non-profit or governmental organizations only. Approval of non-profits or governmental organizations will be granted only if all requirements below are met:

  • The employer must be considered a non-profit or a government entity.

  • The student must have a direct supervisor; the supervisor’s name or title must be listed within the job posting description.

  • The student must work in a specified location and be provided with the necessary resources, equipment or facilities to support the goal of the internship.

  • The student must be reimbursed for any out-of-pocket expenses including the use of their personal vehicle or any expenses that occur.

  • Course credit can be provided but it is up to the student to coordinate with their department or college. Valenti is not responsible for coordinating or submitting paperwork. Students must verify they can complete an internship for credit with their departmental academic advisor. An academic advisor will confirm guidelines and give permission.

Non-Discrimination Policy

The University of Houston is an equal opportunity, affirmative action educator, and employer. By registering to conduct on-campus interviews, I agree that my company is an equal opportunity employer. It is our policy that no citizen of the united states or any other person within the jurisdiction thereof shall, on the grounds of race, color, sex (including sexual harassment), age, disability, veteran status, religion, national origin or sexual orientation, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subject to discrimination in employment or under any educational program or activity of the university. In compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act, interviews must be made available to all interested students who are authorized to work full-time in the United States for other than practical training purposes, regardless of their citizenship. If United States citizenship is required by your company, please indicate this requirement in the job description for any position for which you are recruiting.

Job Scams

There has been an increase in fraudulent and illegal job scams on college campuses. University Career Services takes fraudulent claims very seriously. A website has been created for students to report job scams as well as provide resources and tips for remaining safe. In an effort to reduce the possibility of fraudulent employers or positions, we review every employer registration and job posting.

Additionally, please note: Postings for positions that require at the time of application, personal information such as bank and social security numbers, or photos of the applicants are not allowed. Postings for positions that pay in cash, or require a candidate to make a financial investment, or to pay a fee prior to employment, or to recruit other students for a financial incentive, are not allowed.

Release of Student Information and FERPA Policies

The Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act (FERPA) requires that we will obtain consent from students and alumni before releasing their profile and resume information. In addition, employers must use profile and/or resume information only to fill employment vacancies within your own organization. Any information acquired from profiles and/or resumes may not be re-disclosed to any other employer, or a third party, and other individuals within an organization except for employment purposes. FERPA FAQ: U.S. Department of Education

Selection by Citizenship or National Origin

The University of Houston has the privilege to educate outstanding individuals of varying backgrounds, and employers may encounter an international student on their interview schedule. U.S. laws and regulations require certain treatment of international students. Screening candidates based on citizenship or national origin is prohibited. While employers can hire only persons authorized to work in the U.S., there are a number of categories of persons authorized to work. It is prohibited to ask which category a person fits.

Employers may ask if an applicant is legally authorized to work in the U.S., and may also ask if the applicant will now or in the future require sponsorship for employment visa status. However, employers may not use visa type as a screening tool to deny a qualified, employment-authorized candidate a position. The only exception is a position posting that specifically states a requirement for U.S. citizenship due to grant funding requirements or other specific regulations. Employers must refrain from asking interview questions regarding a candidate's citizenship or national origin, including questions about primary language, acquisition of foreign language reading skills, residency status, or ancestry. If you have questions regarding this policy, please contact UCS.