A more complete statement on workloads is contained in Section 3.9.5, “Faculty Workload.”

Departmental course offerings should be in accord with both the general requirements of the University and the needs of the departmental majors and the general student body. Each academic department or unit will establish a curriculum committee (unless in small departments the faculty as a whole is so designated) to monitor and review departmental courses, majors and programs. Proposed curriculum changes should be presented to the departmental faculty for a vote, and recommended additions, deletions, or revisions should be forwarded through the curriculum committee of the school or college prior to submission to the General Studies Council, the Academic Council, or the Graduate Council (as appropriate). Such proposals must conform to the guidelines and dates for submission established by the respective councils.

The schedule of each faculty member is arranged by the department chair, always keeping in mind the needs of the students and of the University. The total department schedule is subject to review by the dean and the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost.

Departments offering on a regular basis multiple sections of general studies courses and other required courses must in those courses abide by syllabi that cover the same course content, textbooks and other required materials. Courses should be designed to reflect the course description in the current Catalog and the syllabi approved by the Articulation and General Studies Committee (AGSC). Topics included in the syllabi, approved by the AGSC, should be given proper emphasis in the course.

In single offerings of upper-level courses, the instructor is responsible for planning and presenting the course material, conveying to students the course objectives and requirements that have been approved by the department, selecting texts (within departmental/college guidelines) and other required materials, placing an order for texts and other required materials in accordance with department and University policy, preparing, administering, and grading papers and examinations, and assigning grades.

Faculty members are expected to meet their classes punctually and to conduct them at a level appropriate to the level of instruction at which they are offered. If, for some valid reason, the instructor cannot meet a class, he or she should contact the department chair.

In registering for classes at the University, undergraduate and graduate students accept responsibility for attending scheduled class meetings, completing assignments on time, and contributing to class discussion and exploration of ideas. If a student does not attend class during the first two weeks (first 14 calendar days) of the semester, and does not give prior notification to the instructor of reasons for absence and intent to attend the class, the student will be required to drop the course. It is the responsibility of the student to drop the course or to withdraw from the University according to University policy.

A faculty member may excuse absences and allow students to make up work if the faculty member deems the absence legitimate. A faculty member is not expected to provide make-up opportunities for a student without a legitimate excuse. Official excuses are granted by the office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost for authorized University activities, and must be honored by the faculty.

Students receiving financial aid benefits are required to attend classes according to the regulations for financial aid benefits in addition to those regulations required for the course. (See the Oracle.)

Inclement Weather and Emergency Situations: Both faculty and students are responsible for meeting all assigned classes. In the event of inclement weather, faculty and students will be expected to attend classes as usual as long as they may do so without risking peril to themselves or to others. During periods of inclement weather, faculty and students will not be penalized for absences dictated by perilous conditions. In severe cases of inclement weather or other emergency conditions, the University will announce cancellation of classes through the local and regional media as well as through the University’s web site.  The cancellation announcement may be specific to Alabama campuses or national or international sites across the University.

The University requires that a final examination be administered in every course. The final examination must be administered during the official examination period in accordance with the master calendar. Waiver of the final examination or permission to take exams early require the approval of the department chair and the dean. Students may be allowed to alter their examination schedules for the following reasons only:

• Any student having more than three final examinations in the same day may, with the approval of the department chair, make arrangements with the instructor to take the fourth examination during the "special examination period" of each term of the academic year.
   
• Students who have been officially excused from class for the purpose of representing the institution may secure permission to take final examinations in advance of that scheduled date.
   
• Students who have a military obligation (e.g., induction or summer camp) may secure permission to take final examinations in advance of the scheduled date.In the latter two instances above, written permission must be obtained in advance from the department chair or dean.

NOTE:  Examination dates may vary with University College locations.

Faculty members must prepare for each course a comprehensive syllabus, and insofar as possible, adhere rigidly to all times, dates and deadlines. Course syllabi should be available for each student at the initial meeting of the term. Capricious and arbitrary changes in requirements, assignments and grading weights are not permissible. In other words, faculty should inform students at the outset of a course about how grades will be calculated; what tests, papers, laboratory assignments, or other requirements will be used; and how these and any other criteria will be weighted. Also, faculty members must strive to make certain that all courses are accurately described, that all syllabi are current, and that grading is done fairly and in a timely fashion.

Essential elements of a course syllabus include, but are not necessarily limited, to the following:

1. Title of course.
    
2. Number of course (including section).
    
3. Term of course (e.g., fall, spring).
    
4. Instructor of course.
    
5. Pre-requisite course(s).
    
6. Office hours of instructor.
    
7. Time of class (including days).
    
8. Classroom location.
    
9. Office location and e-mail address.
    
10. Office Telephone.
     
11. Course description and objectives (Consistent with the University’s Mission Statement and accreditation).
     
12. Text(s).
     
13. Other materials (e.g., Scantron forms, computer diskettes, art supplies, etc.).
     
14. Grading methods and weights of the criteria (including make-up examination policy and mid-term grade reports).
     
15. Class procedure (i.e., lecture, laboratory, lecture/discussion, etc.) and course requirements.
     
16. General supports (i.e., Computer Works, Writing Center, tutorial lab, etc.).
     
17. Daily assignments indicating deadline for adding or dropping a course, holidays, open dates, dead day, final
    examination, etc.
     
18. Additional services - The required Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) statement and other appropriate statements. Absence policy.
     
19. Incomplete work policy.
     
20. Academic misconduct (See the Oracle).
     
21. Other pertinent information relating to specialization requirements (e.g. certification or licensure, teacher competencies, etc.).
     
22. Plagiarism statement.

Both students and faculty benefit when course syllabi are carefully prepared and scrupulously followed.

Assignment of Grades

Regular Grades

The instructor of record bears the responsibility for assigning all final grades in every class. In team-taught courses, the course facilitator or lead teacher bears the responsibility for securing evaluations from the other team members, incorporating these into the final grade, and assigning the final grade. Likewise, the instructor of record for practicums, directed field experiences, internships, consortia courses, and similar offerings assumes the responsibility for assigning the final grade for such activities.

Incomplete Grades

Whenever a faculty member assigns the grade of incomplete (I), the faculty member must file with the department chair thefollowing information:

1. A copy of the course syllabus.
    
2. Description of the work to be completed.
    
3. The grading weights of the material completed.
    
4. The grading weights of the material to be completed.
    
5. The method of computing the final grade.
    
6. The grading key (if applicable) for the work to be completed.
    
7. Any special or mitigating circumstances.

If the faculty member who assigns the incomplete grade will be unavailable to process the removal of an incomplete grade during the requisite time frame, the department chair may then assign a knowledgeable colleague or a member of the department, college, or school the responsibility for removing the incomplete grade in the absence (i.e., leave, illness, severance, etc.) of the instructor of record. Otherwise, the instructor of record bears the responsibility for removing the incomplete grade in a timely fashion.

Appeals of Grades

A student who contends that he/she received an invalid grade because of arbitrary, capricious, or unethical behavior on the part of a faculty member may, within one term of the grade assignment, appeal the grade in writing to the chair of the department on the campus or location the grade is assigned with a copy to the campus’s associate dean or the regional director in University College.

However, the student must first exhaust all discussion with the faculty member. The department chair will meet with the faculty member and examine all claims and particulars. If the department chair supports the grade awarded, the issue is closed, and the department chair will so notify the student.

If the department chair cannot support the assigned grade, the associate dean or regional director, department chair, and faculty member will meet to seek a resolution. If no resolution can be reached, the associate dean will empanel three faculty colleagues from the department and/or cognate disciplines to review the matter. The decision of this panel shall be final and binding on all parties.  However, should this panel of peer colleagues be unable to reach consensus, the associate dean will refer the matter through the dean or the Dean of Academics for University College to the office of the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost.

The Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, in turn, shall ask the chair of the Faculty Council to appoint from the Council an ad hoc committee of three faculty members who will review the evidence and render a final decision which will be binding on all parties. All appeals should be processed within two terms of the date a student petitions for grade review.

It should be clear that throughout this process, allegations concerning the competence of a faculty member, the fairness of examinations, the difficulty of a course, or other matters of a purely academic nature will not be allowed.

Faculty members may offer special studies, such as special honors programs or special topics not listed regularly in the Catalog. Approval must originate with the department chair before being presented to the curriculum committee of the school or college or being considered by the Undergraduate Council or Graduate Council.

The primary purpose of the University bookstore is to supply for sale all textbooks and supplemental materials used in University courses. The private sale of such instructional materials by faculty members is not permitted. It is the responsibility of the individual faculty member to observe all departmental and University policies and procedures in the ordering, inventory, and disposal of textbooks and supplemental materials.

Special fees to defray the cost of renting or purchasing teaching aids or equipment must be approved by the department chair, the dean, the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost, and the Senior Vice Chancellor for Finance and Business Affairs, and must be announced in the semester schedule and in the course syllabus, "Course Offerings." The student pays these fees through the business office. Fees may not be collected by the instructor. The amount of fees as well as the means for identification and disbursal of such fees must be arranged for in advance with the Senior Vice Chancellor for Finance and Business Affairs.

Each faculty member is responsible for meeting the appropriate deadlines established by the department chair, the dean, the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost,the office of Academic Records, Information Technology Management, Creative Services, textbook centers, University bookstore, standing and ad hoc committees, and deadlines specified in this Faculty Handbook.

This policy describes circumstances, conditions, and procedures for situations in which inclement weather may cause a disruption of regularly scheduled classes and events of the university:

Status of Classes and Events Due to Inclement Weather

• Status 1 – Inclement Weather Warning. This is a warning notice that is published on the Internet home page of the university or specific campuses. This warning indicates that inclement weather is eminent and that students and employees should consider their ability to safely travel during these conditions. If a student or employee determines that it is unsafe to travel, then the absence will be excused during the duration of the inclement weather.
   
• Status 2 – Classes Closed Due to Inclement Weather. This is a notice that classes during a specific timeframe will be closed due to inclement weather. This notice will be placed on the university home page and released to various media outlets. The decision to close classes will be authorized by the Executive Vice Chancellor after consultation with the Chancellor, the Senior Vice Chancellor for Student Services and the Senior Vice Chancellor for Advancement and External Relations. Classes may be closed on a specific campus or site or may be closed for the entire university, depending on the geographic distribution of the inclement weather. Campus Vice Chancellors and Regional Directors should make their requests to close classes to the Executive Vice Chancellor in expeditious fashion.
   
• Status 3 – Closing a Campus or the Entire University. This is a notice that all classes and events for a campus or the entire university are cancelled and that the campus or university will not be operational during this period of time. This status is reserved for severe weather conditions such as major snow or ice storms, hurricanes, or other severe natural disasters. Notice of a campus or university closing will be given wide distribution through all available media outlets. The decision to close a campus or the entire university will be made by the Chancellor after consultation with the Executive Vice Chancellor, the Senior Vice Chancellor for Student Services, the Senior Vice Chancellor for Administrative Services, the Senior Vice Chancellor for Advancement and External Relations, and other key administrative staff. A request to close a campus or site should be initiated by the Campus Vice Chancellor or Regional Director and should proceed in expeditious fashion through the normal chain of communications.

Additional Policy Information Regarding Inclement Weather

• Makeup of Classes Missed Due to Inclement Weather. All classes missed due to inclement weather should be made up if possible. Students who miss class due to status 1 should make up any work or assignments missed and should be granted the opportunity to make up any missed exams. It will be the responsibility of the Chief Academic Officer at each campus/site to determine how the makeup process will be accomplished.
   
• Notifications. Upon reaching a decision to implement inclement weather status 1, 2, or 3, the appropriate Senior Vice Chancellor should notify necessary personnel with an emphasis on notifying the Dean of Students or the Chief Student Services Officer, Security, the Public Affairs Office, and the Chief Facilities Officer.

To enhance the learning experiences of Troy University’s students and to provide for collaborative dialogue and decision-making between faculty members and those campus units which are responsible for the ordering and selling of textbooks, the Dean of each college will establish a manner in which textbooks for use in his/her college will be approved. It is anticipated that this approval process would include college and/or departmental committee(s) or some similar structure and that the final decision for this process will reside with each college Dean. Final approval of all textbooks used by a college will reside with the Dean of that college or his/her designee.

Textbooks will be recommended by full time faculty for courses that they teach exclusively and these recommendations will be approved through the process established by the Dean.

Textbooks for courses taught by multiple faculty will be recommended by the faculty teaching these courses and will be approved through the process established by the Dean.

Approved textbook orders will be initiated at the appropriate unit level (college or department) as established by the Dean of each college. These orders will be submitted in a timely fashion to the appropriate campus bookstore to ensure availability for student purchase and use.

Textbooks will be chosen that contribute to the overall learning experiences and outcomes of the students. Whenever possible and appropriate, selected textbooks should be reasonably priced, have a reasonable shelf-life for continued student use beyond a single semester/term and provide students with maximized buy-back opportunities. Approved changes of textbooks will be communicated in a timely manner to the appropriate campus bookstore personnel to ensure availability for the designated course(s).

All textbook changes or revisions will be made following the process established by the Dean of each college and with the final approval of the Dean or her/his designee.

Approved: Cabinet, May 10, 2006
OPR: Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost
Review: Every Five Years

 

Although there are other offices which provide specialized counseling (such as Counseling Services, the Career Development Center, and the Placement Office) to which the student may be directed for professional assistance, the faculty member has a special and unique role that may take three forms:

1. Advising of the student with regard to the student's work in classes taught by the faculty member.
    
2. Serving as a departmental adviser in the student’s major area to assist the student in setting academic goals, to ensure that departmental and University requirements are met and understood by the student and that electives are planned to coincide with the student’s personal and career objectives.
    
3. Recognizing when the student needs assistance to remediate academic skills deficiencies and directing the student to the appropriate office or person from whom such assistance is available, and referring requests for assistance with problems of a personal nature to the appropriate office or person.

It is considered imperative that each student have sufficient opportunity to see faculty members.

310.3.2.1 Hours on Campus

310.3.2.2 Office Hours

310.3.2.3 Students’ Coursework

The academic work year begins August 1 and ends on May 31 for full-time faculty holding ten-month contracts. Faculty members are expected to be on campus to assume their faculty duties throughout this time period, except for the University's scheduled holidays and vacation periods.

A measurable portion of the faculty workload is the teaching load. At Troy University, the teaching load is defined in terms of department or school or college teaching credit hours. Under normal circumstances, most academic units will have 24 teaching credit hours per full-time faculty member per annual academic year (12 hours per semester for a ten-month contract). Variations may occur for faculty members holding a twelve-month contract and for faculty assigned to terms other than one fall and one spring semester. For additional specific information regarding teaching loads and course overloads, faculty should contact the dean of the college.

To assign teaching credit hours equitably and to assess the teaching load of individual faculty members, the following variables will be taken into account by the department chair, dean, and the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost: the number of students taught; the number of class preparations; non-teaching responsibilities and assignments; service to the department, school, college, or University; involvement in professional activities, and release time for external grants and contracts.

If enrollment for a lower-level course (0090 through 2299) is fewer than fifteen students, or for an upper-level course (3000 through 4999) fewer than nine students,or for a graduate-level course (5000 through 7999) fewer than six students, the course will not be taught unless the department chair and dean or the dean’s designee deem it necessary. Faculty members are normally restricted to a maximum of six special or independent studies in any given term.

If, during the regular academic year, a department chair requests and the faculty member voluntarily agrees to a teaching overload, the University will compensate the faculty member. Such compensation will be determined by the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost and agreed to as a supplemental contract by the faculty member in advance of teaching the overload; or, the faculty member may accept a proportionately reduced teaching load in a subsequent term of the academic year. Such an overload normally may not exceed accreditation guidelines and requirements, except in emergency situations as approved by the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost.

A faculty member may request a teaching overload without compensation. The department chair, the dean, and the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost must approve the request; no such overload should exceed three teaching credit hours per academic year.

As a regular part of the teaching load, a faculty member may normally be assigned not more than three undergraduate classes or two graduate classes at off-campus locations during a term. Exceptions must be justified and mutually agreed to by the faculty member and the Dean, and must be approved by the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost.

Because it is virtually impossible to measure the non-teaching portion of the faculty workload, the University endeavors to assign non-teaching duties equitably but at the same time considers the uniqueness of disciplines and programs. For example, service as a department chair, director, or dean obligates an individual to a much greater non-teaching load than does service as a full-time faculty member. As a result, department chairs, deans, and directors as well as faculty members holding a combined faculty and administrative appointment (as defined in Section 3.2.6 Administrative Officers) teach on a reduced basis. This basis is determined by the complexity of the assignment. For example, the chair of a very small department should expect to teach a greater load than should the chair of a large, complex department. In this manner, non-teaching obligations more realistically approximate equivalency of teaching obligations.

The procedures for seeking a reduction in teaching load are explained in Section Reduction in Teaching Load.

Heavier-than-normal involvement in non-teaching activities, when requested by the University, shall require an adjustment in a faculty member's workload, including, if necessary, a temporary or permanent reduction in teaching hours. The University's request for such involvement by a faculty member must be agreed to by the faculty member and the department chair. The request for a reduction in teaching load may then be initiated by the faculty member or by the department chair. The request will be acted upon by the Executive Vice Chancellor and Provost in consultation with the faculty member, the department chair, dean, and, if appropriate, the administrative officer who will supervise the faculty member's administrative duties.

Research, as defined in Section "Research and Creative Work," is considered important, and a reasonable amount of time should be devoted to it. Troy University recognizes that in higher education both teaching and research are essential to a vigorous institution and a sound curriculum. However, as a teaching institution, Troy University places greater emphasis on the teaching function than on the research function.

Troy University also recognizes that every research investigation does not necessarily result in publishable material. The results of scholarly research can be shared with the academic community not only in writing and publication, but also by oral presentation at professional groups, both on or off campus. Nevertheless,publication, wherever appropriate and possible, is encouraged and recognized.