Appointment and Employment Procedures and Regulations
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Faculty Appointments
Normally, an earned doctoral degree in a related discipline is required for all faculty appointments to a tenure-track position in the Department.
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Faculty Ranks
The basic definitions of faculty ranks are the following:
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Instructor
This rank is intended for persons initially hired with a master’s degree. Normally, the Department does not hire at the rank of Instructor except for full-time non-tenure track (NTT) faculty positions.
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TT Assistant Professor
This rank is normally the entry level rank for tenure-track faculty holding the doctorate in an appropriate discipline.
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TT Associate Professor
Hire to or promotion to this rank presumes prior service as an Assistant Professor, significant academic achievements, and possession of the doctorate in an appropriate discipline (See, ARTICLE VII of this Handbook).
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TT Professor
Promotion to this rank requires credentials and significant academic achievements beyond those required for promotion to Associate Professor. (See, ARTICLE VII of this Handbook).
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Full-Time Non-Tenure Track Faculty (NTT) Appointments
Full-time non-tenure track faculty (NTT) appointments are made on an annual basis (See, ARTICLE VIII of this Handbook). An NTT who has successfully completed three (3) consecutive years of employment and one (1) Full Performance Review becomes eligible for appointment to a three-year term of annually renewable appointments which are conditional from year to year only upon continued satisfaction with demonstrated performance, continued programmatic and staffing need within the academic unit, and continued budgetary resources supporting the position. (See NTT CBA) NTT appointments are not included under the umbrella of the University policy and procedures regarding faculty tenure (See, relevant section of University Policy Register) and NTT faculty members are not entitled to any rights with regard to tenure.
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Part-Time Faculty Appointments`
When the Department cannot meet its teaching needs from the ranks of its full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty, full-time non-tenure track (NTT) faculty and graduate students, part-time faculty appointments will be made from an established pool of qualified applicants not currently on regular appointment at the University.
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Recruiting TT Faculty
The Department supports the goals of equal opportunity and affirmative action in recruiting and in making appointments to the TT faculty. The Chair recommends initial appointments of new members of the TT faculty. Recommendations follow the selection procedure proposed by the FAC and approved by the Faculty Meeting. The Chair, in consultation with the FAC, recommends members of an ad hoc search committee to the Faculty Meeting. The committees conducting searches should include, whenever reasonably possible, graduate and undergraduate student representatives. Diversity will be taken into account in determining committee composition. The responsibility for organization of the search and for maintaining search records rests with the Department Chair.
The Search Committee, in consultation with the Chair, recommends to the Faculty Meeting job descriptions and candidates to be interviewed.
After the interviews have been concluded, the Faculty Meeting, chaired by the Search Committee Chair, shall recommend whether to offer a TT faculty appointment and to whom.
The Chair consults with the FAC on temporary positions in accordance with University regulations. A file of pool candidates for temporary positions shall be maintained by the Department Chair.
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Faculty Code of Ethics
All members of the Department faculty are expected to maintain the highest ethical standards as teachers, scholars, university citizens and colleagues. The University policy regarding faculty code of professional ethics can be found in the University Policy Register. (See, University Policy Register 3342-6-17)
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Faculty Workload and Workload Equivalents
All full-time tenured and tenure-track faculty of the department are expected to carry a maximum workload of twenty-four (24) credit hours per academic year. Full-time non-tenure track faculty members are expected to carry a maximum workload of thirty (30) credit hours per academic year. (See, relevant section of University Policy Register) The workload for each individual faculty member is assigned by the Chair with the approval of the Dean. The FAC shall advise the Chair on issues related to teaching assignments, class schedules and the appropriate application of workload equivalents. The Chair shall provide each faculty member with a statement of the faculty member's workload. For AY 2010-11, the maximum teaching-load policy shall be carried over from the previous handbook.
The following table codifies mandatory workload equivalencies that the Chair will assign each year. The Chair may also, in consultation with FAC, assign workload equivalencies for other specific duties that are considered essential to the academic mission of the Department.
Table 1. Workload Equivalents Table
Title/Name of Assignment
Load Equivalent (Range)
Frequency
Brief Description of Duties
Assistant to Chair
3-6
Year
The assistant to the chair carries out a wide range of functions assigned by the chair, e.g., assisting FEC, taking minutes at FAC and the Faculty Meting, etc.
Graduate Studies Coordinator
6
Year
Overall coordination of graduate studies, including issues associated with: recruitment, retention, advising, funding, curriculum, course scheduling, etc.
Undergraduate Studies Coordinator
6
Year
Overall coordination of undergraduate studies, including issues associated with: recruitment, retention, advising, curriculum, course scheduling, etc.
MPA Coordinator
6
Year
Overall coordination of MPA degree, including issues associated with: recruitment, retention, advising, curriculum, course scheduling, assigning and communicating with adjunct faculty, developing and holding regular meetings with the MPA Advisory Board, coordinating and communicating with Everspring, reporting to NASPAA and maintaining records for accreditation, etc.
Washington Program in National Issues
9
Year
Overall coordination of WPNI, including issues associated with: recruitment, advising, curriculum, internships, setting up briefings, etc.
Columbus Program in State Issues
9
Year
Overall coordination of CPSI, including issues associated with: recruitment, advising, curriculum, internships, setting up briefings, etc.
Productive research agenda
12
Year
Tenured, graduate faculty who have:
1. Satisfied 2 of the following 4 requirements:
a. Served as a member (not Graduate Faculty Representative) of at least two KSU MA thesis or PhD dissertation committees (not necessarily to completion) in the past three years;
b. Graded at least two qualifying examinations or field examinations during the past three years;
c. Taught at least one graduate course (includes MPA courses) during the past three years (recognizing that 2 Independent Study sections or 5 Independent Study students will count as a graduate course for this requirement (and only for this requirement));
d. Participated in annual assessment of MPA Capstone projects at least twice in the past three years
2. Earned at least 30 FEC published research points (Section I.A of FEC Form) during the previous four years and nine months (See Appendix 1).
Productive research agenda
6
Year
Tenured, graduate faculty who have:
1. Satisfied 2 of the following 4 requirements:
a. Served as a member (not Graduate Faculty Representative) of one KSU MA thesis or PhD dissertation committees (not necessarily to completion) in the past three years;
b. Graded at least one field examination during the past three years;
c. Taught at least one graduate course (includes MPA courses) during the past three years (recognizing that 2 Independent Study sections or 5 Independent Study students will count as a graduate course for this requirement (and only for this requirement));
d. Participated in annual assessment of MPA Capstone projects at least once in the past three years
2. Earned at least 20 FEC published research points (Section I.A of FEC Form) during the previous four years and nine months (See Appendix 1).
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 per academic year for tenured and tenure-track faculty and which total more than thirty (30) credit hours for full-time non-tenure-track faculty) will be made only in unusual circumstances. Such assignments require the agreement of the faculty member, and the approval of the Chair, following consultation with the FAC, and the Dean.
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Teaching Assignments and Class Schedules
Teaching assignments are made through the following process:
- First, annual course models are developed by the appropriate committees (GSC, USC, CACM, and MPA).
- Second, prior to the distribution of the various course models, a meeting of the Department Chair and the four coordinators shall be held.
- Third, the models are distributed to faculty who are invited to indicate their course preferences.
- Fourth, the chairs of the respective degree program committees, in consultation and with the approval of the department chair, develops the teaching assignments.
The primary considerations for course assignments are prior teaching experience, subject expertise, and shared responsibility among the faculty for service, and for teaching graduate, undergraduate, and introductory courses. Questions regarding teaching assignments should be addressed to the chairs of the respective committees and to the Department Chair. In the case of a dispute or request for reassignment, the faculty member may request review by the FAC which will make a recommendation to the Chair. Scheduling of classes is the responsibility of the chairs of the respective degree program committees with approval of the Chair.
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Summer Teaching Assignments
The Chair solicits requests for summer teaching assignments from all full-time 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. Within these requirements faculty members are offered summer teaching assignments. The Chair, in consultation with FAC and the Chairs of the GSC, MPA Committee, USC, and CACM committees, determines the list of course offerings which meet the objective of sound curriculum planning and an effective response to student demand. Based upon this list of courses, the Chair secures from each member of the faculty requests for summer teaching. Names of graduate students whose dissertations and theses are expected to be directed to conclusion during the summer will also be obtained by the Chair in order to compensate faculty for dissertation/thesis direction during the summer (See relevant section in the tenure-track CBA). All regular members of the Department requesting summer appointments will be given fair and equitable treatment without regard to faculty rank regarding the assignment of summer teaching. Faculty members may elect not to accept a summer assignment. See also relevant section in CBA.
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Other Faculty Duties
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Advising
TT faculty are required to advise undergraduate and graduate students on academic matters. Individual faculty members are responsible for providing academic counseling to undergraduate students assigned to them and to other undergraduate students who seek such advice, as needed. MA student advising is conducted by the student’s MA Committee, in consultation with the graduate coordinator. Ph.D. student advising is conducted initially by a student’s Ph.D. Committee and then by the student’s dissertation committee, also in consultation with the graduate coordinator. In order to assist in student advising, TT faculty members should maintain current knowledge of University, College, and Department programs and requirements.
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Final Examinations
In accordance with University Policy as described on the final exam schedules, final examinations or class meetings during final examination week must be held at the time and place listed for each course in the Final Examination Schedule. All classes are expected to have some instructional or evaluative activity during the final examination time. If an examination is given, with the department chairperson or school director and dean’s permission, at some time other than scheduled, then it must still be available to one or more students at the officially scheduled time.
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Grades and Student Records
All faculty members must inform students of their progress throughout the semester. Grades are a faculty member’s responsibility and should be assigned fairly and objectively. Submission of final grades must comply with University Policy, including but not limited to the deadline for the timely submission of grades. Repeated failure of faculty members to provide grades in compliance with University Policy will be taken into consideration in reappointment, promotion, tenure and merit decisions. Students have a right to inspect the written work performed during a course and discuss the grade with the faculty member.
All members of the Department must comply with all laws and University Policies which govern the privacy of student education records, including but not limited to the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). These regulations require, among other things, that faculty members keep thorough academic records and forbid the posting of grades by name, social security number, or any other system which might identify a student with their education record
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Office Hours
All faculty members are expected to schedule and attend at least five (5) office hours per week (See, University Policy Register). The office hours shall be posted on the faculty member’s office door and communicated to the Department office as well as to the faculty member’s students. 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.
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Participation in University Activities
TT faculty members are expected on equitable basis to participate in recruitment programs, graduation ceremonies and other activities which are appropriate to their role as a faculty member in the Department.
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Student and Peer Evaluations
A Student Survey of Instruction (hereinafter “SSI”) is required in each course in each semester and will be conducted under the auspices of the Chair pursuant to applicable University policies and procedures (See, ARTICLE V of this Handbook).
Probationary TT faculty members are required to undergo peer review of teaching during each year of the probationary period.
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Syllabi
All faculty members are expected to provide students with a syllabus which includes the subject matter to be covered in a course, a listing of assignments and/or reports, approximate dates of examinations, grading standards, attendance requirements, and other pertinent details of the conduct of the class.
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Sanctions
A sanction is a documented corrective action in response to a faculty member’s unsatisfactory performance of their duties and responsibilities as a member of the faculty. (See, relevant section of CBA).
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Workload Summary Reports
Each continuing tenured Faculty member may be asked by the Chair to prepare and submit an annual workload summary report for the previous academic year. (See relevant section of CBA). The annual workload summary report submitted by the Faculty member shall be in the form of an annual updated curriculum vitae, a brief summary of the previous year’s professional activities, and the course syllabi for each course or section of course taught by the Faculty member during the previous academic year. The Chair shall add to the report copies of the summaries of course evaluations for each course taught during the previous academic year. If necessary, the Chair may request additional information from the Faculty member to clarify summary information and the Faculty member shall respond in a timely fashion.
The purpose of this report is to document the workload, including utilization of specified workload equivalencies, for that academic year. This report may be used in planning future workload equivalencies. Any other use of the report requires consent of the Faculty member. Modification or revision of the specification and/or application of workload equivalents listed above (ARTICLE IV.E.) require the approval of the full Faculty of the department.
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Faculty Leaves
All leaves, sponsored or unsupported, personal or professional, are subject to the approval of the Chair, the Dean and the Provost.
University leaves include but are not limited to:
1. Research leaves (See UPR 3342-6-11.8 ).
2. Leaves of absence without pay (See UPR 3342-6-11.9).
3. Faculty professional improvement leaves (See UPR 3342-6-12).
4. Research/Creative Activity appointments (See UPR 3342-6-15.3).
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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 Chair. The request should be made at least one day prior to the planned absence and is subject to the approval of the Chair and the Dean. Arrangements for any classes to be missed during the absence must be addressed to the satisfaction of the Chair before approval will be granted.
Attendance at professional meetings is encouraged, and approved travel expenses incurred in attending such meetings will be reimbursed when approved prior to travel according to the University’s travel policies..
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Faculty Sick Leave
The Chair is responsible for keeping complete records of faculty sick leave; however, faculty members are also required to submit the appropriate sick leave forms to the Chair. Sick leave forms should be completed and submitted to the Chair within forty-eight (48) hours after an absence. (See UPR 3342-6-11.1)
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Outside Employment and Other Outside Activities
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 (See, relevant section of University Policy Register). These activities must not compete with University activity or the faculty member’s employment with the University. Continuing employment for remuneration must be approved in advance by the Chair and the Dean. Each academic year, each faculty member must disclose and seek approval for all continuing outside employment 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, relevant section/s of University Policy Register)
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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.
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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 is included in the University Policy Register. (See, relevant section of University Policy Register)