Other School Guidelines
(Note: According to the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA; p. 20), “… provisions contained in subsection v. are not subject to the grievance and appeals procedure contained in Article VII” of the CBA. If a Faculty member “believes that an administrator is not complying with a provision of sub-section v., that Faculty member can request that the matter be reviewed by the College CAC”.
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Objectives and Programs
The objectives of the School of Communication Studies are:
1. To develop in students knowledge and research skills in communication that will enable them to function effectively in interpersonal, group, organizational, and societal settings; and
2. To broaden and deepen the students' understanding of communication as it operates in society.
To accomplish these objectives, the School offers B.A., and M.A. degree programs and a Ph.D. program through the College of Communication and Information (CCI), and conducts research.
1. The B.A. degree focuses on the study and practice of communication in various contexts. Students study human communication processes including verbal and nonverbal codes; interpersonal, group, and organizational interaction; and argumentation and persuasion. The curriculum provides humanistic and social scientific orientations for those seeking to participate in communication-related professions in business, the media, government, law, sales, and the like, or to pursue graduate education.
2. The M.A. degree provides a broad spectrum of knowledge about human communication. It is intended for those who wish to continue graduate study in communication beyond the bachelor’s level, to teach at the secondary, community college, or small college level, to continue preparation for professional careers, or to prepare for nonacademic careers in which a broad understanding of communication theory and research is desirable.
3. The Ph.D. (CCI) is a research degree designed to prepare the recipient for a lifetime of research and teaching as a college or university professor, scholar, or communication specialist. The degree requires both comprehensive knowledge and methodological skills needed for generating knowledge and understanding of human communication processes.
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Students
1. Student Academic Responsibilities
a. Regular class attendance is expected of all students. In cases when absence is unavoidable, student responsibilities are specified in the University Register.
b. All students are expected to perform their own academic work. Policies and procedures regarding suspected cases of cheating or plagiarism are as specified in the University Register.
c. All instructors are encouraged to take stern and severe actions against instances of cheating, plagiarism, and forgery, and to treat more lenient action by the instructor as exceptions only according to individual cases.
2. Student Representation
a. As specified elsewhere in the Handbook, undergraduate students shall be represented on the Undergraduate Studies Committee and on the Student Grievance Committee. Graduate students shall be represented on the Graduate Studies Committee and the Student Grievance Committee.
b. The FAC shall determine the nature and extent of graduate and undergraduate student representation on other committees within the School.
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Curricular Policies and Procedures
1. Degree programs, including course development and program review, are the responsibility of the faculty of the School of Communication Studies. Proposals for curricular changes, including new or revised courses, must receive approval of the Undergraduate Studies Committee or Graduate Studies Committee, which, in turn, recommends these to the School Director for approval and transmittal to the College Curriculum Committee.
2. The assignment of student grades is the responsibility of the class instructor of record, who submits final grades, and mid-term grades when appropriate, for forwarding to the University Registrar.
3. Course final examinations, when given, are to be administered at the time and date specified in the University Schedule of Final Examinations, unless prior approval of the School Director and/or College Dean is obtained for giving the examination at another time. Whether or not final examinations are administered, the designated final examination week will be treated as a part of the semester.
4. It is the policy of the School of Communication Studies not to award credit by examination for courses offered by Kent State University. However, CLEP and similarly earned credits may be recognized in evaluating credits submitted in transfer from another accredited college or university.
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Positions
The overriding philosophy of the School of Communication Studies is that all faculty and the Director should teach, conduct research, and serve the University and their profession. All positions are intended to reflect these goals.
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Director of the School
The chief administrative officer of the School of Communication Studies is a Director, who is recommended for appointment by the Dean of the College after consultation with the School's Faculty Advisory Committee (hereinafter referred to as the FAC). Procedures for selecting and reviewing the Director are specified in the Collective Bargaining Agreement. The School Director is responsible for recording, maintaining, and implementing policies and procedures, in regular and thorough consultation with the School's faculty and College and University administrators. The Director, in consultation with the FAC, shall insure coordination of all courses offered across Kent State University campuses.
The functions of the Director include those found in the appropriate sections of the Collective Bargaining Agreement, and other duties found in the University Register, the Handbook, and such others as may be assigned by the Dean of the College. The Director is the primary spokesperson for the School on matters relating to the University and non-University constituencies.
In regular consultation with the faculty, as appropriate, the Director's duties include, but are not limited to:
- Enforcing university regulations
- Representing the School in collegial and university matters
- Developing and carrying out administration and educational policies in the School
- Developing budgetary priorities, and overseeing and developing the School budget
- Recommending research, instructional, professional improvement, as well as personal leaves
- Recommending appointment, reappointment, tenure, promotion, and termination
- Appointing, evaluating, and recommending promotion and termination of non-academic personnel
- Overseeing administration of the graduate and undergraduate programs
- Overseeing faculty professional development
- Overseeing teaching assignments and schedules of instructional personnel
- Counseling faculty, instructors, and graduate assistants about teaching performance
- Supervising office staff, operations, and work schedules
- Maintaining relationships with the regional campus system about personnel and curricular matters
- Leading School development activities in consultation with the University Development Office
- Maintaining custody of university property charged to the School
- Supervising the academic counseling of majors in the School
- Overseeing alumni relations and activities
- Recommending Faculty Excellence Award increases in accordance with CBA and University policies
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Undergraduate Coordinator
The FAC elects and recommends to the Director a regular, full-time, faculty member in the School of Communication Studies to serve as Undergraduate Coordinator for a renewable 2-year term. The election normally takes place by the end of the spring semester for a term to begin with the ensuing fall semester.
The Undergraduate Coordinator supervises operation and development of the School's undergraduate programs. In consultation with the Undergraduate Studies Committee, the faculty, and the Director, as appropriate, the Undergraduate Coordinator's duties include, but are not limited to:
- a. Evaluating students’ eligibility for admission into the School's undergraduate programs
- Counseling transfer students and new undergraduate majors
- Administering undergraduate program policies and curriculum revision and development
- Serving as a liaison to the CCI advising staff
- Scheduling undergraduate classes and recommending undergraduate teaching assignments
- Supervising undergraduate student recruitment
- Chairing meetings of the Undergraduate Studies Committee
- Monitoring undergraduate student registration and academic progress
- Recommending undergraduate students for university, college, school, or professional awards
- Responding to student petitions and requests for program changes
- Updating undergraduate program catalog copy
- Maintaining supervisory responsibility for the LER, diversity, and writing intensive courses
- Serving as the School representative to the College Curriculum Committee
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Graduate Coordinator
The Graduate Faculty elects and recommends to the Director a regular, full-time, graduate faculty member in the School of Communication Studies, who is approved to direct doctoral dissertations, to serve as Graduate Coordinator for a renewable 2-year term. The election normally takes place by the end of the spring semester for a term to begin with the ensuing fall semester.
The Graduate Coordinator supervises operation and development of the School's graduate programs. In consultation with the Graduate Studies Committee, the Graduate Faculty, and the Director, as appropriate, the Graduate Coordinator's duties include, but are not limited to:
- Supervising and coordinating admissions to the School's graduate program
- Coordinating graduate advising and new graduate student orientation
- Recommending graduate students for appointment as graduate assistants and teaching fellows (and for part-time teaching, as appropriate)
- Recommending graduate assistant and teaching fellow duties
- Recommending the schedule of graduate classes and graduate teaching assignments
- Administering graduate program policies and curriculum revision and development
- Conducting graduate faculty reviews and recommending graduate faculty membership
- Supervising graduate student recruitment, preparation of recruiting materials, and the application process
- Monitoring graduate student registration and academic progress
- Responding to student petitions and requests for program changes, and clearing graduate students for graduation
- Conducting comprehensive exams, graduate student program reviews, and reviews of graduate student performance
- Recommending graduate students for university, college, school, or professional awards
- Updating graduate program catalog copy and the graduate student handbook
- Planning and administering the annual Cowperthwaite Lecture and Summer Visiting Scholar program
- Chairing meetings of the Graduate Studies Committee
- Serving as the School representative to the College Graduate Coordinators’ Council and the College Doctoral Program Committee
- Advising the School's Communication Graduate Student Association
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Basic Course Director
The FAC recommends to the School Director a Basic Course Director (BCD). The BCD (COMM 15000) coordinates the construction and dissemination of syllabi, assignments, forms, guidelines, and additional materials to instructors on all campuses in accordance with the course standards established by Communication Studies Undergraduate Committee and approved by the University’s Curriculum Committee. The BCD prioritizes the standardization of the course across all sections of the course taught either by Faculty or Teaching Assistants at all campuses. The BCD develops and disseminates “The Common Syllabus” to all faculty and teaching assistants on all Kent State campuses to insure qualification for and/or inclusion in The Ohio Board of Regents Transfer Module and Kent State University’s Liberal Education Requirements. In consultation with the faculty and School Director, as appropriate, the BCD’s duties include, but are not limited to:
a. Serve as Lecturer for the Lecture/Lab sections
b. Developing and assessing appropriate uses of technology
c. Developing expectations for the Assistant Basic Course Director
d. Recommending a Teaching Assistant to serve as the Assistant Director
e. Meeting regularly with and providing instructions for the Assistant Director
f. Developing expectations for Teaching Assistants
i. Recommending Teaching Assistants to teach the basic course
ii. Coordinating the efforts of the Teaching Assistants via regular meetings and contact
g. Selecting textbook(s) and ancillary materials for the course
h. Creating examinations and scoring criteria for the Lecture/Lab sections
i. Facilitating regular training activities for Faculty and Teaching Assistants
j. Conferring with basic course students who require assistance or intervention beyond the Faculty or Teaching Assistants’ abilities or responsibilities
k. Exercising efforts relevant to maintaining or increasing student registration in the course
l. Serving as a liaison to other departments on campus by advising them of the importance of the basic course to their students and by consulting with them on ways to adapt the basic course to better serve their students.
The BCD will strive to maintain the intellectual standards and positive profile of the Basic Communication Course. The course director will communicate regularly with the Undergraduate Coordinator for the purpose of insuring fulfillment of the responsibilities and duties mentioned herein.
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Undergraduate Advisor and Internship Coordinator
The FAC recommends to the School Director one full-time, faculty member to serve as Undergraduate Advisor and Internship Coordinator. In consultation with the faculty and School Director, as appropriate, the Undergraduate Advisor and Internship Coordinator’s duties include, but are not limited to:
a. Assisting students with their graduation plans and course registration
b. Facilitating students’ registration into internship hours
c. Maintaining regular office hours and student advising appointments
d. Maintaining student internship records
e. Keeping up to date with university and school registration procedures and policies
f. Serving on the Undergraduate Studies Committee
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The Associate Director
The School may appoint an Associate Director. The Associate Director is recommended for appointment by the Director of the School after consultation with the School's FAC. The duties of the Associate Director are determined by the School Director and Dean.
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