Faculty Handbook2003
Table of Contents
1.0HISTORY, MISSION, GENERAL ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNANCE
1.1History
1.2Mission Statement
1.2.1Educational Assumptions and Implications of the Mission Statement
1.2.2Accreditation and Memberships
1.3College Organization
1.3.1Board of Trustees
1.3.2Administration
1.3.2.1President
1.3.2.1.1Executive Assistant to the President
1.3.2.2President’s Staff
1.3.2.2.1Provost
1.3.2.2.1.1Vice Provost for Curriculum and Faculty Development
1.3.2.2.1.1.1Department Chair
1.3.2.2.1.2Vice President and Dean of Students
1.3.2.2.1.3Associate Provost
1.3.2.2.1.4Associate Academic Dean & Director of Off-Campus Programs
1.3.2.2.2Vice President for Administration
1.3.2.2.3Vice President for Finance
1.3.2.2.4Vice President for Development
1.3.3Faculty
1.3.3.1Final Authority
1.3.3.2Primary Authority
1.3.3.3Shared Authority
1.4Committee Structure and Responsibilities
1.4.1Committees of the Board of Trustees
1.4.1.1Executive Committee
1.4.1.2Academic Committee
1.4.1.3Student Life Committee
1.4.1.4Membership Committee
1.4.1.5Finance Committee
1.4.1.6Development Committee
1.4.1.7Buildings and Grounds Committee
1.4.1.8Personnel Committee
1.4.1.9Planning Committee
1.4.1.10Diversity Committee
1.4.1.11Historic Preservation Committee
1.4.2Committees of College Administration
1.4.2.1President’s Advisory Council
1.4.3Committees of the Faculty
1.4.3.1Faculty Meetings
1.4.3.2Nomination and Election to Faculty Committees
1.4.3.2.1Election to Faculty Council
1.4.3.2.1.1Nomination
1.4.3.2.1.2Election
1.4.3.2.2Election to the Faculty Personnel Committee
1.4.3.2.3Election to Other Committees
1.4.3.2.4Election of the Vice-Chair of the Faculty
1.4.3.2.5Conditions for Nomination and Election to Faculty Committees
1.4.3.2.6Officers of Faculty Committees
1.4.3.2.7Ex-Officio Members
1.4.3.2.8Student Members
1.4.3.2.9Replacement of Inactive Faculty Committee Members
1.4.3.3Curricular
1.4.3.3.1Academic Senate
1.4.3.3.2Academic Senate: Executive Committee
1.4.3.3.3Academic Senate: Review Committee
1.4.3.3.4Academic Senate: Library Committee
1.4.3.4Administrative
1.4.3.4.1Faculty Council
1.4.3.4.2Faculty Budget and Salary Committee
1.4.3.4.3Communications Board
1.4.3.4.4Computer and Technology Advisory Committee
1.4.3.4.5Athletic Committee
1.4.3.4.6Off-Campus Programs Committee
1.4.3.4.7Faculty Instructional Technology Committee
1.4.3.4.8Program Review Committee
1.4.3.4.9General Education Committee
1.4.3.5Institutional
1.4.3.5.1Admissions and Retention Committee
1.4.3.5.2Student Life Committee
1.4.3.5.3Diversity Committee
1.4.3.6Personnel
1.4.3.6.1Faculty Personnel Committee
1.4.3.6.2Professional Development Committee
1.4.3.7Policy of Recusal
1.4.3.8Committee Release
1.5Protocols for Revision of the Faculty Handbook
1.5.1Publication
1.5.1.1New Editions of the Whole
1.5.1.2Particular Revisions
1.5.2Sources of Initiative for Revisions
1.5.2.1Board of Trustees
1.5.2.2President or Provost
1.5.2.3Faculty Council
1.5.2.4Faculty
1.5.3Authorization of Revisions
1.5.3.1Non-Substantive Revisions
1.5.3.2Substantive Revisions
1.5.3.2.1Automatic Revisions
1.5.3.2.2Revisions Requiring Authorization
1.5.4Emergency Suspension of a Handbook Provision
2.0CONTRACTUAL STATEMENT
2.1Faculty
2.1.1Types of Faculty Status
2.1.1.1Ranked Faculty
2.1.1.1.1Full-Time
2.1.1.1.2Part-Time
2.1.1.1.3Appointment to Rank
2.1.1.2Special Status Faculty
2.1.1.2.1Adjunct Faculty
2.1.1.2.2Emeritus/Emerita
2.1.1.2.3Artist/Scholar-in-Residence
2.1.1.2.4Administrators
2.1.2Contract
2.1.2.1Types of Contract
2.1.2.1.1Term (Non-Tenure Track)
2.1.2.1.1.1Temporary
2.1.2.1.1.2Multi-Year, Noncontinuous
2.1.2.1.1.2Multi-Year, Continuous
2.1.2.1.2Notice (Probationary/Tenure Track)
2.1.2.1.3Continuous (Tenured)
2.1.2.1.4Requests for Temporary Load Reduction
2.1.2.2Locus of Tenure and Appointment
2.1.2.3Prior Service Credit
2.1.2.4Contract Forms
2.1.2.4.1Part Time (Appended)
2.1.2.4.2Full Time (Appended)
2.1.2.4.3Articles of Faith
2.1.2.4.4Community Life Statement
2.1.3Search, Appointment, Orientation
2.1.3.1Search Procedures
2.1.3.2Appointment Procedures
2.1.3.3Orientation
2.1.3.4Equal Opportunity
2.1.3.5Conflict of Interest
2.1.3.6Special Appointment Considerations
2.1.3.7Employment Eligibility Verification
2.2Evaluation, Promotion and Tenure
2.2.1Evaluation
2.2.1.1Criteria and Quantification of Criteria
2.2.1.2Standards
2.2.1.3Evidence
2.2.1.4Procedure
2.2.2Promotion
2.2.2.1Eligibility
2.2.2.2Criteria
2.2.2.2.1General
2.2.2.2.2Instructor
2.2.2.2.3Assistant Professor
2.2.2.2.4Associate Professor
2.2.2.2.5Full Professor
2.2.2.3Procedure
2.2.2.4Review (Appeal of Decision)
2.2.3Tenure
2.2.3.1Eligibility
2.2.3.2Criteria
2.2.3.3Procedure
2.2.3.4Review (Appeal of Decision)
2.2.3.5Non-Tenure Track Faculty Evaluations
2.2.4Discipline
2.2.4.1Non-Performance of Contract
2.2.4.2Violation of Contract
2.2.4.3Suspension
2.2.4.4Discharge for Cause
2.2.4.4.1Origination of Charges
2.2.4.4.2Preliminary Hearing
2.2.4.4.3Discharge for Cause Hearing
2.2.4.4.3.1Formation and Membership of the Hearing Committee
2.2.4.4.3.2Hearing Committee Procedures:
2.2.5Personnel Records
2.2.5.1Purpose and Location
2.2.5.2Content
2.2.5.3Access
2.2.5.4Submissions
2.2.5.5Exclusions
2.2.5.6Expungement
2.3Separation
2.3.1Resignation
2.3.2Retirement
2.3.2.1Early Retirement
2.3.3Non-Reappointment
2.3.3.1Notification
2.3.3.2Reasons for Non-Reappointment of Probationary Faculty Member
2.3.3.3Review of Decision Not to Issue a Notice Contract
2.3.4Reduction in Force
2.4Faculty Rights and Responsibilities
2.4.1Professional
2.4.1.1Academic Freedom
2.4.1.2Professional Ethics and Relationships
2.4.1.3Non-College Activities by Full-Time Faculty
2.4.2Instructional
2.4.2.1Teaching
2.4.2.2Advising/Office Hours
2.4.3Institutional
2.4.3.1Participation in Campus Governance
2.4.3.2Other Non-Instructional Activities
2.4.3.3Course Relief for Institutional Service
2.5Faculty Development
2.5.1Leave
2.5.1.1Sabbatical
2.5.1.2Educational
2.5.2Conferences and Travel
2.5.3Professional Development
2.6Working Conditions
2.6.1Policy on Harassment
2.6.2Policy on Drug-Free Campus
2.6.3Hazardous Materials
2.6.4Human Subjects in Research
2.7Leaves (Non-Professional)
2.7.1Bereavement Leave
2.7.2Extended Medical Leave/Maternity Leave
2.7.3Family Care Leave
2.7.4Jury and Witness Duty
2.7.5Military Service
2.8Benefits
2.8.1Government Mandated Benefits
2.8.1.1Worker’s Compensation Insurance
2.8.1.2Social Security
2.8.1.3Unemployment Compensation
2.8.1.4Health Insurance Continuation
2.8.1.5State Disability Insurance
2.8.2Discretionary Benefits
2.8.2.1Medical Care Plan
2.8.2.2Dental Care Plan
2.8.2.3Health Insurance Transition Benefit
2.8.2.4Retirement Medical Plan
2.8.2.5Disability Plan
2.8.2.6Life Insurance
2.8.2.7Travel Accident Insurance
2.8.2.8Retirement Plan
2.8.3Institutional Benefits
2.8.3.1Education Assistance
2.8.3.2Housing Assistance Program
2.9Compensation
2.9.1Contract Period and Method of Payment
2.9.2Salary Schedule
2.9.3Health Insurance Premiums and Dependent Care Expenses
2.10Complaint Resolution and Grievance Procedures
2.10.1Resolving Complaints
2.10.2Grievance Procedures
2.11Hearing Committee
2.11.1Conditions
2.11.2Formation and Membership of a Hearing Committee
2.11.3Hearing Committee Procedures
3.0ACADEMIC POLICIES AND PROCEDURES OF INTEREST TO THE FACULTY
4.0ACADEMIC SERVICES
4.1Library & Information Services
4.2Media and Computer Services
5.0ADMINISTRATIVE AND FINANCIAL POLICIES OF INTEREST TO THE FACULTY
5.1Emergency Closing
5.2Keys
5.3Post Office/Mail
5.4Bulletin Boards
5.5Telephones
5.6Purchase Orders/Requisitions
5.7Professional Development Funds
5.8Motor Vehicles on Campus
5.9Check-Cashing
5.10Athletic Events and Facilities
5.11Dining Commons/The Study
5.12Bookstore
6.0STUDENT AFFAIRS POLICIES OF INTEREST TO THE FACULTY
6.1Student Handbook (appended)
6.2Student Conduct Code
6.3Family Educational Rights and Responsibilities
6.4Student Discipline Code
6.5Rights and Responsibilities
6.6Sponsorship/Organizations
7.0EXTERNAL RELATIONS POLICIES OF INTEREST TO THE FACULTY
7.1Communications and Publications
7.2Grants Policy
7.3Patent/Copyright Policy
7.4Use of Institutional Letterhead, Trademarks, Tradenames
7.5Political Activity
7.6Fundraising
8.0EXCEPTIONS IN APPLICATION OF POLICY
1
Faculty Handbook2003
FACULTY HANDBOOK
Westmont College
1.0HISTORY, MISSION, GENERAL ORGANIZATION AND GOVERNANCE
1.1History
Early evangelical Christian institutions of higher learning were conceived to witness to and to preserve the viability of a world-view understood in light of Christian faith and tradition. Many were founded primarily for the training of ministers, missionaries, and teachers.
The Bible Missionary Institute, established in 1937 in Los Angeles, was the direct antecedent to Westmont. It was founded by Mrs. Alexander Kerr who envisioned a college for training men and women for full-time Christian service, especially young people without the resources to attend existing institutions.
In 1940 Westmont College was incorporated as a four year degree-granting Christian liberal arts college. Having outgrown its Los Angeles facilities, the campus was relocated to the Dwight Murphy estate in Montecito in 1945. Forty acres of the adjacent Deane School were added in 1967. Westmont was accredited by WASC in 1958. (For a discussion of the early history of Westmont College, see Lyle Charles Hillegas, A History of Westmont College, unpublished dissertation, Dallas Theological Seminary, 1964.)
1.2Mission Statement
The mission of Westmont College is to provide a high quality undergraduate liberal arts program in a residential campus community which assists college men and women towards a balance of rigorous intellectual competence, healthy personal development, and strong Christian commitments.
1.2.1Educational Assumptions and Implications of the Mission Statement
Graduates of the College will have a heightened appreciation of their cultural and religious heritage, an understanding of other cultures, the ability to direct their continuing self-development and learning, competence to function as leaders and servants in society, a foundation for entering or receiving advanced training in a profession or career, confidence in the inspiration and the authority of Scripture, and a desire to honor Jesus Christ as the Son of God and for His significance in human history and His preeminent influence in their personal lives.
Therefore, the educational program is characterized by freedom to explore ideas, pursue truth, and make responsible decisions; the study of important issues and problems within and across academic disciplines and in relationship to the Christian faith; a consciousness of human history as a primary source for understanding and evaluating contemporary values; and reflection upon and enactment of ideals and beliefs based upon spiritual as well as intellectual understanding.
1.2.2Accreditation and Memberships
Westmont College is accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, an institutional accrediting body recognized by the Council on Postsecondary Accreditation and the U.S. Department of Education. Its teacher education programs, with specialization in elementary and secondary teaching, are accredited by the California State Board of Education. The College is approved for the training of veterans and war orphans.
Westmont College is a member of the Independent Colleges of Southern California, Incorporated, the Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities, and the Evangelical Council for Financial Accountability.
The College is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities, and the Christian College Consortium which has as its other members: Asbury College, Wilmore, Kentucky; Bethel College, St. Paul, Minnesota; George Fox College, Newberg, Oregon; Gordon College, Wenham, Massachusetts; Greenville College, Greenville, Illinois; Houghton College, Houghton, New York; Malone College, Canton, Ohio; Messiah College, Grantham, Pennsylvania; Seattle Pacific University, Seattle, Washington; Taylor University, Upland, Indiana; Trinity College, Deerfield, Illinois; Wheaton College, Wheaton, Illinois.
1.3College Organization
1.3.1Board of Trustees
a)The Westmont College Board of Trustees holds in trust the physical and financial assets of the College and has power of review and veto in relation to policy and programs.
b)The Board of Trustees is independent and self-perpetuating. It consists of a maximum of twenty-seven members who serve three-year terms. One-third of the members are elected annually.
c)Westmont College trustees are knowledgeable of, and committed to, the central and strategic role education plays in contemporary society and the crucial contributions of Christian higher education to the church and its work. The trustees affirm the College’s Christian liberal arts philosophy and programs, and support the framework of academic governance shared with the faculty and administration.
d)It is essential that trustees be of genuine and personal Christian faith, accept without reservation the Articles of Faith, and seek to uphold the college motto on the corporate seal, Christus Primatum Tenens (“In All Things Christ Preeminent”).
1.3.2Administration
a)The Board assigns certain powers and authority to the administration of the College and to the faculty. The faculty, meeting in regular session, has authority to recommend changes in policy and programs to the administration and to the Board.
b)Organization Chart (See Appendices)
1.3.2.1President
a)Function: To serve as chief executive officer of the College and to exercise all executive powers not explicitly reserved to the Trustees.
b)Term: Appointed annually by the Board of Trustees.
c)Accountability: Accountable directly to the Board of Trustees.
d)Salary: Remunerated as recommended and approved by the Board of Trustees.
e)Responsibilities and Duties:
1)Related to the Trustees:
(a)To make regular reports to the Board of Trustees to enable them to arrive at informed judgments.
(b)To engage the Trustees in periodic review of institutional goals, policies and programs.
(c)To recommend to the Board of Trustees for appointment members of the President’s staff and all full-time faculty members with suggested rank and compensation.
2)Related to College Management:
(a)To act on behalf of the Board of Trustees on all College matters subject to its direction.
(b)To provide vision and leadership for the faculty and administration in formulating educational and support programs.
(c)To oversee the operation and development of the institution as a whole.
(d)To supervise the Vice Presidents in the performance of their duties.
(e)To make final review and give final administrative approval of College plans, budgets, and policies and to submit appropriate items to the Board of Trustees for adoption.
3)Related to College Constituencies:
(a)To represent and interpret the College and its programs to internal and external constituencies.
(b)To seek support for the College necessary to achieve the institution’s mission and goals.
1.3.2.1.1Executive Assistant to the President
a)Function: To assist the President and his or her staff in coordinating their efforts, providing necessary information for decision-making, and monitoring overall College management.
b)Term: Appointed annually by the President with the approval of the Board of Trustees.
c)Accountability: Directly accountable to the President.
d)Salary: As recommended by the President and approved by the Board of Trustees.
e)Responsibilities and Duties:
1)Related to the President:
(a)To advise the President in matters of general College policy and management and provide information requested.
(b)To serve as a member of the President’s staff.
(c)To assist the President in preparation for Board of Trustees meetings.
(d)To perform other duties assigned by the President.
1.3.2.2President’s Staff
The administration of the College is the responsibility of the President, who serves at the pleasure of the Board of Trustees as Westmont’s chief executive officer. The Provost is the senior administrator of the College’s educational program, with primary responsibility for the academic program, and, with leadership from the Vice President for Student life, for the out-of-classroom life of the student body. At the President’s discretion, the Executive Assistant to the President and the Vice Provost serve with the President, the Provost, and the four divisional Vice Presidents as members of the President’s Staff.
1.3.2.2.1Provost
a)Functions: To coordinate the entire educational program of the College to achieve the college mission and goals; to build a strong and comprehensive liberal arts curriculum, and to ensure that all academic instruction, student development activities, and spiritual life programs, are effective means to nurture a strong and mature Christian commitment, consistent with the values and beliefs of the evangelical Christian community; to articulate the vision of Christian liberal arts in a manner that is compelling both internally and to the various constituencies of the college.
b)Term: Appointed annually by the President with the approval of the Board of Trustees.
c)Accountability: Directly accountable to the President.
d)Salary: As recommended by the President and approved by the Board of Trustees.
e)Responsibilities and Duties: The Provost is the number two administrative officer of the college and senior administrator of the educational program. The Provost is the dean of faculty, with primary responsibility for the academic program, and, with leadership from the Vice President for Student Life, for the out-of-classroom life of the student body as well.
1)Related to the President:
(a)To advise the President in matters of College policy in general, and educational programs in particular.
(b)To report regularly to the President on the status of all aspects of the College under his or her administrative supervision.
(c)To assume, in the absence of the President, administrative responsibility for the College.
(d)To assist the President in presenting to the Board of Trustees and its committees matters relating to educational programs and personnel.
2)Related to Supervision, Guidance, and Advisory Roles:
(a)To provide administrative supervision over the following:
(1)Vice President for Student Life
(2)Vice Provost for Curriculum and Faculty Development
(3)Associate Provost for Planning, Records and Research
(4)Director of Admissions
(5)Director of the Library and Information Services
(6)Associate Academic Dean and Director of Off-Campus Programs
(7)Athletic Director
(8)Registrar
(9)Assistant to the Provost and Chaplain-At-Large
(10)Campus Pastor
(11)Department Chairs
(12)Individual Faculty members
(b)As dean of faculty,
(1)To serve as a liaison between the Faculty and the President and his or her administrative officers particularly in academic matters.
(2)To have responsibility, with the involvement of department chairs, for the recruitment of faculty personnel.
(3)To recommend, in consultation with the Faculty Personnel Committee, appointments of faculty personnel.
(4)To implement, with the assistance of department chairs, a program for the evaluation of faculty performance and instructional improvement.
(5)To maintain a program for professional development and in-service education.
(6)To promote, with the assistance of the Faculty Budget and Salary Committee, a program for the enhancement of faculty welfare.
(7)In conjunction with the Faculty Council, to ensure the proper functioning of faculty committees within the governance pattern.
(8)To maintain, in consultation with the Faculty Council, a complete and accurate Faculty Handbook.
(c)To serve ex officio on College committees and to chair the following:
(1)Faculty meeting as a committee of the whole
(2)Faculty Personnel Committee
(3)Academic Senate
(4)and to establish ad hoc committees as may be appropriate
3)Related to Planning and Budgeting:
(a)To provide leadership in the formulation and implementation of educational programs consistent with the goals of the College.
(b)To promote the wise adoption of effective new alternatives in educational methodologies and technologies.
(c)To formulate, in conjunction with appropriate committees, educational policies and regulations for recommendation to the Faculty, President, and Trustees.
(d)To oversee the continued development of a comprehensive undergraduate curriculum strongly built upon the classic liberal arts traditions and informed by a Christian worldview.
(e)To develop and integrate all aspects of college life including academic/instructional, student development and campus ministries, to promote the intellectual development, spiritual growth, and character formation of students.
(f)To prepare and manage the budget for all educational programs of the College.
1.3.2.2.1.1Vice Provost for Curriculum and Faculty Development
a)Function: As the number two position within the academic program, the Vice Provost has primary responsibility over curriculum development, faculty development, and specific initiatives aimed at making linkages between curricular and co-curricular programs; in the absence of the Provost, and under the direction of the President, the Vice Provost will assume primary leadership for the academic area.
b)Term: Appointed annually by the Provost with the approval of the President.
c)Accountability: Directly accountable to the Provost.
d)Salary: As recommended by the Provost and approved by the President.
e)Responsibilities and Duties:
1)Regarding Curricular Development:
(a)Chair the Academic Senate, overseeing those issues for which the Senate has primary responsibility.
(b)Chair the Academic Senate Executive Committee, overseeing the functions ascribed to that committee in the Faculty Handbook.
(c)Retain membership in the College Budget Advisory Committee, communicating the budget implications of curricular planning decisions.
(d)Working with the Provost and Senate, developing and implementing a strategic plan for curricular enhancement.
(e)With the Academic Senate, giving special attention to the general education curriculum in relation to the mission of the College.
2)Related to Faculty Development:
(a)Work with the Provost to initiate special programs for faculty enhancement and development.
(b)To serve as the Provost’s representative on the Faculty Development Committee.
(c)To serve with the Provost as a member of the Personnel Committee.
(d)To work with the Provost and Faculty Council in the development of faculty retreats.
(e)To give leadership to the New Faculty Workshop at the beginning of the year.
(f)To promote faith/learning initiatives within the faculty.
3)Related to Ethos Development:
(a)Provide oversight of the initiatives proposed by the Ethos Task Force.
(b)To work with the Provost and Vice President for Student Life to coordinate activities linking the curricular and co-curricular programs.
(c)To assess and monitor the accomplishment of the objective set forth in the Ethos section of the Long-Range Planning Report.
1.3.2.2.1.1.1Department Chair