Teaching Assignments and Workload, Including Workload Equivalencies and Related Procedures

Each TT Faculty member is to prepare and submit an annual workload summary report for the previous academic year by September 15th  (See relevant CBA section). 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 Director shall add to the report copies of the summaries of course evaluations for each course taught during the previous academic year. If necessary, the Director 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 below in Table 1 require the approval of the Faculty Meeting.  

For each semester of the regular academic year, each FTNTT Faculty member shall receive a statement of his/her specific workload assignment at least thirty (30) days prior to the beginning of the semester, as per the NTT CBA.

The following table codifies mandatory workload equivalencies that the Director will assign each year. Nontenured, tenure-track faculty qualify for a two-course equivalency until the year when one stands for tenure in order to develop effective courses, establish a research program, and begin to supervise student research. Workload equivalencies specific and appropriate to FT NTT Faculty members for service and other assigned duties may also be developed as appropriate and in keeping with the relevant section of the NTT CBA. The FEC points referenced in Table 1 will be determined on an annual basis by FEC. 

The Director may also, in consultation with FAC, assign workload equivalencies for other specific duties that are considered essential to the academic mission of the School. Calculation of applicable workload equivalencies may not always be directly linked to credit hours of instruction. Class size, number of preparations, grading and/or student assessment and other factors may be considered when workload equivalencies are calculated for FT NTT faculty members.

Ordinarily, a faculty member will teach a range of courses, including upper-division and (when appropriate) graduate courses in their area of specialization, but also including lower-division and Kent CORE courses. The Director shall solicit the preferences of faculty members for courses and days and times that they prefer to teach. The primary considerations for course assignments are prior teaching experience, subject expertise, unit need, and shared responsibility among the faculty for teaching graduate, undergraduate, and introductory courses.  

Questions regarding teaching assignments should be addressed to the Director. In the case of an unresolved dispute regarding course teaching assignments, the faculty member may request review by the FAC which will make a recommendation to the Director. Scheduling of classes is the responsibility of the Director.

Team teaching of courses is welcomed within the School. Faculty members who team teach a course with one other colleague three times within six years will receive credit for teaching two courses. When team-teaching the course with one other colleague the first time, no credit is given. When team-teaching the course a second time with a colleague within a four-year period, credit will be given for teaching one course. Upon team teaching the course a third time with a colleague within a six-year period from the first time it was taught, a second course credit will be given. Team teaching the course with another colleague a fourth time will start a new such cycle. Team teaching with more than one colleague will be handled on a case by case basis, as will be team teaching more than one class per year.

Summer teaching cannot be guaranteed to any faculty member. The size, content, and staffing of summer courses are dictated by budgetary constraints, curricular needs, and scheduling issues. The Director, in consultation with the Curriculum Committee, determines the list of course offerings which meet the objective of sound curriculum planning and an effective response to student demand. Within these requirements, the Director will endeavor to distribute summer teaching opportunities equitably among faculty members who express an interest. Faculty members may elect not to accept a summer assignment. See also the relevant section in the respective CBAs.

All faculty members are expected to provide students with a syllabus.  While there is no standardized format for syllabi, it is recommended that the syllabus includes identifying characteristics such as course title, department, section number, as well as the semester and year the course is offered.  Syllabi should also include best ways to reach the faculty member including office hours.  

The course objectives and expectations for the class should be outlined within the syllabus as well as required textbooks.  The syllabi should include a general calendar of the substance of the course with important deadlines for assignments, tests, the course withdrawal deadline and enrollment/registration dates. Syllabi should include a statement regarding disabled students. Syllabi should also include a grading policy for class requirements in addition to a statement on cheating and plagiarism.

During a regular academic year semester, each faculty member who is the instructor of record for one or more courses (other than thesis, dissertation, or individual supervision) shall be available for consultation through office hours either in person or electronically for a minimum of five hours per week. During a summer session or intersession, each faculty member who is the instructor of record for one or more courses (other than thesis, dissertation, or individual supervision) shall be available for consultation through office hours either in person or electronically for a minimum of three hours per week.

The office hours shall be posted on the faculty member’s office door and communicated to the School office as well as to the faculty member’s students.  If a student, for a legitimate reason, 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.

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 School 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 her/his education record.

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.

A Student Survey of Instruction (SSI) is required in each course in each semester and will be conducted under the auspices of the Director pursuant to applicable University policies and procedures.

Probationary TT faculty members are required to undergo peer review of teaching during each year of the probationary period. NTT faculty members in their first three years of service are required to undergo annual peer reviews of teaching. See below for details on the conduct of these peer reviews. 

Faculty members are expected on an equitable basis to participate in recruitment programs, graduation ceremonies and other activities which are appropriate to their role as a faculty member in the School.

Faculty are required to advise students on academic matters. In order to assist in student advising, Faculty members should maintain current knowledge of University, College, and Department programs and requirements.