Glossary of Terms

Mission-Critical
Refers to positions responsible for the health and safety of the University community and the operational continuity throughout the University State of Emergency.
Mission-Critical Employees
An employee who has been designated as vital to the operations of the University, whose presence is required regardless of the existence of an emergency condition, and whose absence from duty could endanger the safety and well-being of the campus population and/or physical plant. Employees may be designated as Mission-Critical on a situational basis, e.g., in the event of a public health crisis. Those employees deemed "Mission-Critical employees" will be notified of such designation and expected to work. Mission-Critical employee, under this policy, is not the same definition as an "essential employee" used in the Public Employment Labor Relations Act (PELRA).
MN Department of Health - Radiation Control Section (MDH)
State agency that promulgates and enforces rules for the safe use and licensure of radioactive materials within the State of Minnesota. MDH also promulgates and enforces rules for the safe use and registration of ionizing radiation producing devices within the State of Minnesota.
National Incident Management System (NIMS)
The national directive to enhance emergency response coordination across the United States. NIMS provides for interoperability and compatibility among Federal, State and local capabilities and includes a core set of concepts, principles, terminology and technologies covering the incident command system, unified command, training, management of resources and reporting.
National Sex Offender Public Website (NSOPW)
The Government website that links pubic state, territorial, and tribal sex offender registries from a national search site. The NSOPW provides up-to-date information as provided by each jurisdiction.
Nationally-recognized Exam
Exams overseen by an independent organization (e.g., College Board) that determines the national standard for the exams' content and scores.
Nepotism
Actions by a University member that directly or indirectly influence the University employment (e.g., hiring, promotion, supervision, evaluation, and determination of salary) or academic progress (e.g., grading and advising) of any other University member with whom they have a personal relationship. This definition includes instances where there is no direct influence on employment or academics, but the relationship has a negative impact on the educational or work environment.
New Advanced Standing (NAS)
Students who have graduated from high school, who have previously matriculated at another post-secondary education institution where they earned at least 26 credits.
New High School (NHS)
Students who have graduated from high school but have not previously matriculated to another post-secondary institution. (They may have earned college credits while they were enrolled in high school.)
Next of Kin
The nearest blood relative to the covered servicemember other than the spouse, parent, son, or daughter. In some cases, there is an only next of kin, such as where court decree or statutory provisions grant legal custody or the servicemember has specifically designated this individual in writing.
Non-academic Programs
Those programs that do not fall under the definition of academic programs, the program outcomes of which do not appear on a transcript. Non-academic programs recognized as such by the senior administrator of the unit, may be named as centers, institutes, programs, services, etc. and are managed out of campus, college, or administrative units.
Non-Capital Equipment/Expendable Material
Personal property items with a cost of less than $2,500 OR a useful life of less than one year.
Non-Current Funds (NC)
Those funds used for activities which are not part of the "current operations" of the University. Non-current funds include loan, endowment, plant and agency funds. For purposes of this policy, agency fund expenditures are subject to approval by the constituency the funds are being held on behalf of.
Non-Disclosure Form
An annually renewable form required to be signed by all University employees with access to cardholder data. By signing this form, employees agree to protect any part of the Cardholder Information from disclosure to anyone that does not have a business need for it.
Non-Payroll Expenses
Expenses incurred and paid by the University for the purchase goods or services, legal obligations, taxes collected, judgments rendered, or refunds due. It is meant to reflect any payments the University makes that does not relate to paying its employees for wages earned.
Non-PO-Related Purchases
A list of items and services that departments may purchase directly from the vendor without competitive bidding or issuance of a purchase order.
Non-Profit Organization Liability
Insurance that provides coverage for legal liability arising out of wrongful acts of the University or its authorized representatives including Director’s & Officer’s Liability, Employment Practices Liability and Personal Injury claims.
Non-Purchase Order Payment
Payments that do not require a purchase order and may be paid via an invoice, Procurement Card or Check Request.
Non-renewal
An action of informing an employee that their employment contract will not continue in effect beyond the end date on their Notice of Appointment.
Non-Service Payroll
All non-activity based payroll items which appear in gross earnings for eligible employees and are not to be included when certifying effort. Non-service payroll includes employee benefit accounts, trainee job class codes, overload payments, bonus payments, balance sheet labor clearing accounts and unused vacation payouts.
Non-Sponsored Funds (NS)
Include: general operations and maintenance, miscellaneous unrestricted, auxiliaries, internal service organizations, federal appropriations, state specials, and miscellaneous restricted. See funds included in this fund type.
Non-sponsored Resources

An available balance that can be drawn upon to help facilitate a department’s operations. Resources can be the result of revenues, transfers-in, and an existing carry-forward balance.

Non-University Entity
A group or individual not a part of the University, as well as University employees using University real estate for personal use and student organizations not covered by the University's liability insurance.
Non-University-Sponsored Education Abroad Opportunities
These are outside programs that have no formal affiliation with the University of Minnesota or the education/study abroad offices.
Nonacademic Relationship
A personal relationship OR a financial relationship not connected with the student's academic program.