Faculty Handbook

The Faculty Handbook PDF is also available. This document supersedes all handbooks prior to June 2023.

Table of Contents

Forward
Introduction
Purpose
Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Statement

Section 1 History, Mission, General Organization, And Governance
1.1 History
1.2 Mission Statement
1.3 Vision Statement
1.4 Key Strategic Initiatives
1.5 Accreditation
1.6 Academic Affairs/Administrative Governance Structure
1.6.1 Board of Trustees
1.6.2 President
1.6.3 Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
1.6.4 Vice Provost
1.6.5 Associate Vice Provost
1.6.6 School Deans
1.6.7 Dean of Library Services
1.6.8 Department Heads
1.7 General Institutional Governance
1.7.1 Executive Council
1.7.2 Council of Deans
1.7.3 Athletic Council
1.7.4 The Faculty Senate
1.7.5 Graduate Council
1.7.6 Student Government Association
1.7.7 Standing Committees

Section 2 - Faculty Policies, Regulations, And Processes
Definition of Faculty Status
2.1.1 Ranked Faculty
2.1.2 Rank of Instructor
2.1.3 Terminal Degree: Transition in Rank or Position
2.1.3.1 Exceptions to Criteria for Terminal Degree
2.1.4 Criteria for Appointment to Specific Ranked Faculty Status
2.1.4.1 Instructor
2.1.4.2 Distinguished Instructor
2.1.4.3 Distinguished Affiliate Instructor
2.1.4.4 Assistant Professor
2.1.4.5 Associate Professor
2.1.4.6 Professor
2.1.4.7 Distinguished Professor
2.1.4.8 Distinguished Affiliate Professor
2.1.5 Regular Faculty
2.1.6 Temporary Faculty
2.1.6.1 Adjunct Faculty
2.1.6.2 Visiting Faculty
2.1.7 Special Appointment Faculty
2.1.7.1 Emeriti Appointments
2.1.7.2 Artist/Writer/Scholar-In-Residence
2.1.7.3 Replacement Faculty
2.1.7.4 Joint Appointment
2.1.7.5 Courtesy Appointment
2.1.8 Administrators with Faculty Rank
2.2 Contracts
2.2.1 Non-tenure and tenure-track contracts
2.2.2 Supplemental Contracts
2.2.3 Faculty Appointment
2.2.4 Contract Form, Issuance, and Receipt
2.3 Search/Appointment/Orientation
2.3.1 Search/Appointment Procedures
2.3.2 Orientation
2.3.3 Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action
2.3.4 Nepotism/Employment Conflict of Interest
2.4 Faculty Review
2.4.1 Evaluation Procedures for Full-Time Faculty
2.4.1.1 Faculty Annual Review (FAR)
2.4.1.2 Criteria for Evaluation Procedures
2.4.1.3 Development of Formative Plan
2.4.1.4 Third Year Review*
2.4.2 Evaluation Procedures of Adjunct Faculty
2.4.3 Teaching Effectiveness
2.4.3.1 Criteria for Teaching Effectiveness
2.4.3.2 Evidence of Teaching Effectiveness
2.4.4 Academic Advisement/Professional Consultation
2.4.4.1 Criteria for Effectiveness in Academic Advisement/Professional Consultation
2.4.4.2 Evidence of Effectiveness in Academic Advisement/Professional Consultation
2.4.5 Professional Effectiveness of Librarians
2.4.5.1 Criteria for Professional Effectiveness of Librarians
2.4.5.2 Evidence of Professional Effectiveness of Librarians
2.4.6 Scholarly/Creative Activity
2.4.6.1 Criteria for Scholarly/Creative Activity:
2.4.6.2 Evidence of Scholarly/Creative Activity
2.4.7 Service/Community Engagement
2.4.7.1 Criteria for Service to the University/School/Department
2.4.7.2 Evidence of Service to the University/School/Department
2.4.7.3 Criteria for Service to the Profession/Discipline
2.4.7.4 Evidence of Service to the Profession/Discipline
2.4.7.5 Criteria for Service to the Community/Community Engagement
2.4.7.6 Evidence of Service to the Community/Community Engagement
2.4.8 Faculty Administrative Responsibilities to the University/School/Department
2.4.8.1 Evidence for Faculty Administrative Responsibilities to the University/School/ Department
2.4.9 Collegiality
2.4.9.1 Criteria for Collegiality
2.4.9.2 Evidence of Collegiality
2.5 Promotion
2.5.1 Policy
2.5.2 Procedure
2.5.3 Promotion Appeals
2.6 Tenure
2.6.1 Policy
2.6.2 Procedure
2.6.3 Tenure Appeals
2.7 Separation
2.7.1 Resignation
2.7.2 Retirement
2.7.3 Non-Reappointment of non-tenured faculty
2.7.4 Expired Tenure
2.7.5 Automatic Resignation
2.7.6 Suspension
2.7.7 Problem-Solving and Discipline Policy
2.7.8 Removal for Cause: Dismissal or Termination for Adequate Cause
2.7.8.1 Dismissal
2.7.8.2 Procedures for Dismissal for Adequate Cause or Termination for Financial or Curricular Reasons
2.8 Faculty Rights and Responsibilities
2.8.1 General Statement
2.8.2 Adherence to University Regulations
2.8.3 Principal Occupation
2.8.4 Classroom Management
2.8.4.1 Class Procedures
2.8.4.2 Grading System
2.8.4.3 Changing of Grades
2.8.4.4 Tests and Examinations
2.8.4.5 Make-Up Examinations
2.8.4.6 Student Attendance
2.8.4.7 Official University-Excused Absences
2.8.5 Curriculum Development
2.8.6 Course Offerings and Content
2.8.7 Faculty Absence
2.8.8 Use of Copyrighted Material
2.8.9 Deadlines
2.8.10 Academic Freedom
2.8.11 Code of Professional Ethics
2.8.11.1 Statement of Professional Ethics
2.8.11.2 Statement of Freedom and Responsibility
2.8.11.3 Course Conflict of Interest
2.8.12 Consensual Relations Policy
2.8.13 Violations of Faculty Rights, Academic Freedom, and Professional Responsibility
2.9 Academic Year and Workload
2.9.1 Teaching Load/Workload
2.9.1.1 Overloads
2.9.2 Other Duties and Expectations
2.9.3 Availability and Office Hours
2.1 Financial Exigency
2.11 University Hearing Committee
2.12 Summer Appointment
2.12.1 Non-Teaching Summer Activities
2.12.2 Summer Overloads
2.13 Credit Hours Awarded for Courses
2.13.1 Credit Hour Definition
2.13.2 Review and Approval Process for New Courses and Course Revisions
2.13.3 Policy Administration
2.14 Faculty Records and Leave
2.14.1 Personnel Files
2.14.2 Credentials Files
2.14.3 School and Departmental Files
2.14.4 Professional Development Leave
2.14.5 Faculty Educational Leave
2.14.6 Wuhan Scholar Exchange
2.14.7 Personal Leave Days
2.14.8 Leave of Absence without Salary
2.14.9 Family and Medical Leave
2.15 Experimental Courses
2.16 Appropriate Dress

Section 3 - Academic Organizations
3.1 Library
3.1.1 Mission
3.1.2 Collection
3.1.3 Hours
3.1.4 Services
3.2 Academic Support Services
3.2.1 Academic Computing Resources
3.2.2 Learning Services
3.2.3 Instructional Services Unit
3.2.4 Center for Economic Development
3.2.5 Center for Economic Education
3.2.6 Jacksonville State University û McClellan Campus
3.2.7 Office of Community Engagement and Outreach
3.2.8 Online@JSU
3.2.9 In-Service Education Center
3.2.10 Environmental Policy and Information Center
3.2.11 Jacksonville State University û Canyon Center
3.2.12 Jacksonville State University û Mountain Center

Section 4 - Benefits, Institutional Policies, and Facilities
4.1 Insurance and Annuities
4.1.1 Health Insurance
4.1.2 403-B Plans: TIAA/CREF and VALIC
4.1.3 Disability Insurance
4.1.4 Term Life Insurance
4.1.5 Liability Insurance
4.2 Mandatory Benefits
4.2.1 Teacher Retirement System
4.2.2 Social Security
4.2.3 State Board of Adjustments
4.2.4 Unemployment Compensation
4.2.5 Direct Electronic Deposits of Salary and Reimbursements
4.3 Institutional Benefits
4.3.1 Tuition-Assistance Program
4.3.2 Campus Security
4.3.3 Parking Decal
4.3.4 Office and Building Keys
4.3.5 Athletic Events and Drama Season Ticket Discounts
4.3.6 Deferred Compensation (RSA-1)
4.3.7 Health Services
4.3.7.1 RMC/JSU Health Center
4.3.7.2 Sick Leave
4.4 Bereavement Leave
4.5 Institutional Facilities
4.5.1 Telephone Services
4.5.2 Faculty Mail
4.5.3 Print Shop and Printing Policy
4.5.4 Faculty Wellness
4.5.5 Building Maintenance and Cleaning Services
4.5.6 Campus Food Service
4.5.7 Child-Development Facility
4.5.8 Bookstore
4.5.9 Flexible Benefit Plan
4.6 Benefits of Retired Faculty
4.7 Benefits of Emeriti Faculty
4.8 Civic Duty
4.8.1 Part-Time Public Office
4.8.2 Jury Duty
4.8.3 Military
4.8.4 Holidays
4.8.5 Inclement Weather Policy
4.8.6 Full-Time Public Office
4.9 Salary Schedules
4.9.1 Salary Increments
4.9.2 Compensation for Administrative Officers
4.9.3 Advances

Section 5 - Student Affairs Information
5.1 Student Rights and Responsibilities
5.1.1 Sexual Harassment
5.1.2 Student Conduct Code
5.1.3 Privacy Rights of Students
5.1.4 Student Discipline Code
5.2 Faculty References and Recommendations
5.3 Student Information
5.3.1 Student Handbook
5.3.2 SGA Constitution
5.3.3 Student Organizations

Section 6 - Development And Internal/External Affairs
6.1 Non-Institutional Professional Activities and Extra Compensation
6.2 Conflict of Interest
6.3 Faculty Research Grant Program
6.3.1 Guidelines
6.3.2 Faculty Research Committee
6.4 Faculty Travel and Self-Improvement Grants
6.5 Externally Funded/Sponsored Projects and Grants
6.6 Fund Raising, Endowments, and Gifts
6.7 Intellectual Property
6.8 Equipment
6.9 Experimental Subjects
6.1 Hazardous Waste
6.11 Injury, Illness, Incidents, and Accidents
6.12 Publicity and Promotion