Appointment and Employment Procedures and Regulations
-
Recruiting Full-Time Tenure-Track Faculty
The College supports the goals of equal opportunity and affirmative action in recruiting and appointing Faculty. Search Committees are appointed by the Dean after consultation with faculty. Search committees are composed of a minimum of four (4) Faculty members. A student member selected by the Faculty members on the search committee also serves on the committee.
Following the search, the committee recommends to the Dean that two (2) or three (3) candidates on an unranked list be invited to campus for an interview. Each candidate invited to campus for an interview will present to the College a seminar or lecture about their scholarship, teaching and/or practice experience.
-
Faculty Rank
-
Assistant Professor
Assistant Professor is normally the entry rank for tenure-track Faculty who hold 1) a terminal degree; and 2) a record of scholarship (research and creative activity) indicating promise for achieving tenure.
-
Associate Professor
Hiring or promotion to this senior rank presumes prior service as an Assistant Professor, demonstration of good teaching in the Faculty member’s areas of expertise, evidence of significant scholarship (research and creative activity), and possession of the terminal degree in the appropriate discipline.
-
Professor
Promotion to this senior rank requires credentials and achievements beyond those required for promotion to Associate Professor, and is reserved for senior Faculty members who have achieved distinction in scholarship and teaching, as well as significant recognition at the national and/or international level within the discipline (See, Section V of this Handbook).
-
-
Other Faculty Appointments
-
Visiting Faculty Appointments
Visiting faculty appointments at an appropriate rank may be made when leaves of absence occur or special needs arise and funds are available. A visiting faculty member is typically a faculty member from another institution or practice who is employed by the College for a period not to exceed one (1) year. In the event that a Visiting faculty member is employed in that capacity for a second consecutive year, the visiting faculty member will then become an NTT faculty member. Visiting faculty members may attend, but do not vote on College Committees. All visiting faculty appointment must be approved by the Dean.
-
Part-Time Appointments
When the College cannot meet its teaching needs from the ranks of Faculty, NTT faculty and graduate assistants, part-time faculty appointments may be made from an established pool of qualified applicants. All part-time appointments must be approved by the Dean.
-
Adjunct Faculty Appointments
These appointments are held primarily by faculty from other institutions or persons on the staffs of professional firms, community-based agencies and/or other private organizations. Adjunct faculty appointments are made at the discretion of the Dean, in consultation with the CAC. Such appointees may attend, but do not vote on College Committees. All adjunct faculty appointments must be approved by the Dean.
-
-
Faculty Responsibilities and Academic Freedom
Each Faculty member is expected to engage in teaching, creative activity and/or research, and service, by observing the guidelines set forth in this section. The relative weight for each responsibility shall be recognized in writing at the time of hire or as modified by the Dean in consultation with the Faculty member in writing at a later date.
The following language is included here for convenience of the Faculty, but shall not supersede any language contained in the CBA or the University policy regarding the faculty code of professional ethics:
The Faculty of the College subscribe to the principle of the 1940 "Statement of Principles on Academic Freedom and Tenure" adopted by the American Association of University Professors. Within the rationale in the AAUP statement, it is emphasized that academic freedom is necessary to the mission of the faculty of a university, since it is eminently in the interest of society that, without fear of retribution, the professor should be free to conduct research and make public its results and to teach his/her subject in the classroom. Professional responsibility is a logical correlative of this freedom.
-
Teaching and Class Management
A primary responsibility of each Faculty member is teaching. The following items are seen as minimal expectations of anyone who teaches in the College:
- Keep abreast of the subject matter related to their area(s) of concentration and teaching assignments.
- Work with colleagues in a cooperative manner in planning, scheduling, and implementing coursework, and curricular activities.
- Prepare course work which is consistent with the course basic data sheet and the objectives of the respective curricula.
- Issue in the first day of class a written syllabus which includes location and time, description of the course, office hours, a general calendar and outline of the course, grading policy and criteria, objectives of the course, expected student learning outcomes, readings, fees, field trips and related costs, University-required language or other mandated language, and the exam schedule. An electronic copy of the syllabus shall be transmitted to the Associate/Assistant Dean(s) for Program(s).
- Be available to students seeking additional help outside of class within posted office hours and otherwise as needed and requested.
- Insure that the required student evaluation procedures are followed.
- Be punctual in starting and ending classes.
- Give reasonable notification of and provision for instructor absences.
- Provide reasonable make-up procedures for students’ legitimately missed exams or other graded work.
- Evaluate students’ work with adequate and constructive written or oral comments on papers, projects, exams, and other work appropriate to the course.
- Evaluate student’s work within a reasonable time frame that allows students to benefit from the instructor's comments prior to the next assignment.
- Present themselves as role models for students, exemplifying integrity and citizenship in society.
-
Faculty Workload and Workload Equivalents
All Faculty members in the College are expected to carry a maximum workload of twenty-four (24) workload credit hours equivalent per academic year. NTT faculty members are expected to carry a maximum workload of thirty (30) credit hours per academic year (See,University Policy Register 3342-6-18).
The workload for each Faculty member and each NTT faculty member is assigned by the by the Dean or his/her designee. The Dean may, in consultation with the Associate/Assistant Dean for the appropriate Program(s), assign workload equivalents for specific duties which are considered essential to the academic mission of the College. Each semester, the Associate/Assistant Dean shall provide each Faculty member and each NTT faculty member with a statement of his/her workload.
Not all Faculty members contribute to the College in the same manner. A Faculty member whose primary responsibilities are undergraduate teaching in undergraduate programs may be assigned to teach and serve in a greater diversity of courses than a Faculty member who is a member of the graduate faculty. Most Faculty members are expected to be either a full or associate member of the graduate faculty. All Faculty members are expected to be involved in significant research and/or creative activity, serve on graduate student committees, and direct graduate student research.
-
Annual Workload Summary Report
Each tenured Faculty member is required to submit an Annual Workload Summary Report as required by the CBA.
-
Overload Assignments
In the interest of maintaining a high standard of teaching and the desirability of Faculty involvement in research and service activities, overload assignments are strongly discouraged. Overload assignments (i.e. workload assignments which total more than twenty-four (24) credit hours or equivalent per academic year for Faculty and which total more than thirty (30) credit hours or equivalent for NTT faculty) will be made at the sole discretion of the Dean only in unusual circumstances.
Overload assignments require the agreement of the Faculty member and the approval of the appropriate Associate/Assistant Dean for Program(s) and the Dean.
-
Summer Teaching Assignments
The Associate/Assistant Dean(s) for Program(s) will accept requests for summer teaching assignments from all Faculty members. Summer teaching cannot be guaranteed to any Faculty member and most summer teaching assignments are for a partial load. The size, content, and staffing of summer courses are dictated by budgetary constraints and curricular needs.
Certain academic programs require particular expertise not normally present, or present only to a limited extent in the College. Summer and/or intersession teaching and course assignments are not a right and Faculty members may elect not to accept a summer assignment.
-
Teaching Assignments and Class Schedules
Faculty members are assigned to teach specific courses by the Associate/Assistant Dean(s) for Program(s) with the approval of the Dean. The primary considerations for course assignments are subject expertise, prior teaching experience and shared responsibility among the Faculty for service and the teaching of introductory courses.
Questions regarding teaching assignments should be addressed to the Associate/Assistant Dean for Program(s). In the case of an unresolved dispute or request for reassignment, the Faculty member may request review by the CAC which will make a recommendation to the Dean. The Dean will have the final authority on all decisions regarding workload assignments.
Scheduling of classes is the responsibility of the Associate/Assistant Dean(s) for Program(s) with final approval by the Dean. A primary consideration for scheduling classes is student need with regard to meeting program or major requirements within a reasonable time frame. In addition, the duty of the College to serve nontraditional students may have an impact on the scheduling of some classes. A change in schedule meeting time and location of classes initiated by Faculty requires prior approval of the Associate/Assistant Dean.
-
Lecture and Recitation Class
The workload equivalent for lecture- or recitation-type courses shall be equal to the semester credit hour value assigned to the course.
-
Studio and Laboratory Class
The workload equivalent for studio- and laboratory-type courses shall be equal to the average between the credit hours assigned to the course and the contact hours (i.e., credit hours + contact hours/2).
-
Graduate Capstone, Research, and Thesis
The principal advisor may be assigned one (1) credit hour of workload equivalent per semester of record with a maximum of three (3) students per semester. Membership on Capstone or thesis Committees is an expected service responsibility to the College and carries no workload equivalent.
-
Class Size
In recognition of the increased demand on time and teaching effort imposed by large class size, the following workload equivalents may be assigned by the Associate/Assistant Dean(s) for Program(s) and approved by the Dean:
- For lecture classes with enrollment larger than forty five (45) students, additional workload equivalent of one (1) and credit hour per additional fifteen (15) students.
- For recitation classes with enrollment larger than thirty (30) students, a workload equivalent of one (1) credit hour per additional ten (10) students.
- For studios or laboratory classes with enrollment larger than fifteen (15) students, a workload equivalent of one (1) credit hour per additional five (5) students.
- For Interior Design practicum which involves on-site supervision, a workload equivalent of one (1) credit per each 3 students.
-
New Faculty
New Faculty may request that their teaching load be lowered to aid them in adjusting to the demands of a new course or assignment. The Associate/Assistant Dean(s) for Program(s) may also recommend such load revision to the Dean, if a revision seems necessary or appropriate. The amount of workload equivalent to be assigned will be determined on a case-by-case basis, may vary, and shall not exceed three (3) credit hours per year.
-
-
-
Graduate Faculty Status
The College requires that all Faculty members be eligible for appointment to the graduate faculty as associate or full members at the time of appointment in the College. The Administrative policy regarding graduate faculty is included in the University Policy Register (See, University Policy Register 3342-6-15.1). Appointment to the graduate faculty of the College is granted by the College of Research and Graduate Programs after review and recommendation by the Associate Dean and Dean of the College with the review of the GSC and the CAC.
-
Definition
Graduate faculty status shall be assigned to those Faculty members with appropriate educational and professional backgrounds who have produced scholarship of sufficient quality to merit professional and/or academic recognition and are effective in providing the appropriate education of graduate students or have the potential to provide such education.
-
Criteria
Candidates for membership on the graduate faculty should possess a PhD or terminal professional degree. If the terminal degree is a professional master’s degree, candidates should possess professional registration or certification.
-
Responsibilities
Graduate faculty members are expected to participate in and/or support graduate activities, functions, coursework, individual investigations, and capstone/thesis student committees. Each Faculty member is expected to contribute to the graduate studies of the College and the University according to the terms and condition of his/her Letter of Appointment, and his/her academic credentials. Some Faculty members make their primary contribution in teaching while others emphasize research and/or creative activity. High quality teaching and scholarly activity are expected of all graduate faculty members. Service to the program, College, and the University is also expected of each Faculty member.
-
Temporary Graduate Faculty Member
This status shall be assigned to a Faculty member whose participation in the graduate program is desired for a limited period of time or for a limited objective. This status is assigned to secure appropriate instruction for a graduate course for a semester or appropriate service on a graduate thesis or capstone committee. Temporary graduate faculty status may be given to part-time and NTT faculty. Upon completion of the temporary assignment, temporary graduate faculty status is withdrawn.
-
-
Office Hours
Faculty members shall post their schedule and attend at least five (5) office hours per week (See, University Policy Register 3342-6-18.101). The office hours shall be posted on the Faculty member's office door and communicated to the Associate/Assistant Dean(s) for Program(s) as well as to the Faculty member's students through inclusion in the course syllabus, and/or online. If a student, for a legitimate reason or reasons, is unable to meet during the Faculty member’s scheduled office hours, the Faculty member shall make appointments to meet with the student at an alternate time.
-
Citizenship
Faculty members are expected to participate in recruitment programs, convocation and graduation ceremonies, mid-semester and final reviews, lectures and other activities which are appropriate to their role as a Faculty member in the College.
-
Sanctions
A sanction is a documented corrective action in response to a Faculty member's unsatisfactory performance of his/her duties and responsibilities as a member of the Faculty (See, “Sanctions for Cause” in the Collective Bargaining Agreement).
-
Faculty Information System
All Faculty members are required to provide a current curriculum vita (CV) to be kept on file in the Dean’s office. The Faculty member’s CV must be updated at least annually using the electronic system supported by the University. These CVs are to be provided by the Faculty members in digital and/or hard copy as requested, and in the required format for the University/College/program, as well as those for professional accreditation, etc.
-
Faculty Leave
All leaves, sponsored or unsupported, personal or professional, are reviewed by the CAC, and are subject to the approval of the Dean and the Provost. Leaves include but are not limited to:
- Research leaves.
- Leaves of absence without pay.
- Faculty professional improvement leaves.
- Research/Creative Activity appointments.
-
Faculty Absence and Travel Policy
Faculty members who will be absent from campus for professional or personal reasons must submit a Request for Absence Form with the Dean. Whenever possible, the request should be made at least one (1) month prior to the planned absence and is subject to the approval of the Dean. Arrangements for any classes to be missed during the absence must be addressed to the satisfaction of the Dean before approval will be granted.
Attendance at professional meetings is encouraged and approved travel expenses incurred in attending such meetings may be reimbursed when approved by the Dean prior to travel according to the University's travel policies and subject to the availability of College funds. In general, greater amounts of support will be granted to meeting participants (i.e. those presenting a paper or chairing a session) than to Faculty members who simply attend professional meetings.
-
Faculty Sick Leave
The Dean, or his/her designee, is responsible for keeping complete records of Faculty sick leave. Faculty members are required to report sick leave in the University’s online reporting system.
-
Outside Employment and Other Outside Activities
Faculty members are encouraged to work in their fields outside the University to maintain professional knowledge and acumen that may be valued in the classroom. Faculty members may engage in professional activities outside the University provided the activities do not interfere with the Faculty member's teaching, research, or service responsibilities to the Department, Campus, College or University or conflict with the Faculty member’s professional responsibility to the University as the prime employer (See, University Policy Register 3342-6-24). These activities must not compete with University activity or the faculty member’s employment with the University and must be approved in advance by the Dean and the Provost. Each academic year, each full-time faculty member must disclose and seek approval for all outside employment or other outside activities on the form provided by the University. Any outside employment or other outside activities are subject to the Faculty Code of Ethics and the University’s conflict of interest policies (See, University Policy Register 3342-6-17 and 3342-6-23).
-
Copyright Restrictions
All faculty members should be aware of current copyright laws which restrict the copying of published materials. For further information, contact the University’s Office of Legal Affairs.
-
Academic Misconduct
The University policy regarding misconduct in research and scholarship and the Administrative policy and procedures regarding allegations and instances of misconduct in research and scholarship are included in the University Policy Register. (See, University Policy Register 3342-3-05 and 3342-2-05.01)