Meet Commencement volunteer Joe Rick
Volunteers are needed for the upcoming Spring Commencement ceremonies in May! Faculty and staff volunteers ensure a successful and enjoyable graduation. Get to know Joe Rick, director of academic budget for the Division of Academic Affairs, who is committed to making this special day run smoothly for students and their families.
Why do you volunteer at commencement, and what has your role?
I volunteer at commencement because it is a great way to give back to the students and their families. I enjoy playing a role in making commencement day a success for them. Typically, my volunteer role has been working with family members who need seating accommodations. It is pretty amazing how well you can get to know a family as you escort them to their seats!
Why should fellow faculty and staff volunteer for commencement?
Every volunteer will help make the day run better for the students and their families. Commencement is a day to serve and celebrate our students. They are the main reason I work at UNC Charlotte. Please come join me!
Commencement aside, what is the most rewarding part of your job?
I like serving as a collaborative team member with my colleagues across the Division of Academic Affairs. I enjoy improving transparency, finding solutions and attempting to improve efficiency.
What is the best piece of professional advice you have received?
Before you can be a great leader, you must first learn how to serve others.
What’s your favorite thing to do during the summer?
We take an annual vacation to North Dakota to see family. Summer is the best time to visit because when it’s 20 degrees below zero, it’s pretty miserable.
Additional information about volunteering for commencement
Volunteer orientation
Orientations for all ceremonies will take place virtually Monday, May 5. Attendance is encouraged as you will learn more about what to expect during the ceremonies, and you will be able to ask questions you might have.
Attention SHRA Employees
SHRA employees subject to the Fair Labor and Standards Act who were regularly scheduled to work on Saturday are ineligible for additional compensation or compensatory time off because Saturday duties were shifted to support commencement, unless the time worked generated a normal overtime situation for the week.
SHRA employees subject to the Fair Labor and Standards Act who were not normally scheduled for Saturday work are authorized to receive overtime compensation or compensatory time off if the hours worked for the week are sufficient to generate an overtime situation. Such employees will be paid from funding in the department to which they are assigned. The rate of overtime compensation will be based on the employee’s normal salary. An EHRA or SHRA employee exempt from FLSA is not authorized to receive additional compensation for additional hours worked. However, University Policy 101.19 provides sufficient flexibility for supervisors to recognize significant extra hours worked with time off without a requirement to use vacation leave. However, such treatment is the sole prerogative of the employee’s supervisor and requires that more than 40 hours be worked during or preceding the work week in question.