Ohio University
Faculty Handbook
Revised, January 2006
The Faculty Senate, as sanctioned by the Ohio University Board of Trustees, is an elected representative body that acts on behalf of all faculty on matters related to University planning, governance, and resource allocation. The Senate maintains primary jurisdiction over curriculum and academic policies, and is an advocate for faculty views on all other University policies and practices. As a key partner in University governance, the Senate provides representatives to all relevant University committees, boards, and task forces. The Faculty Senate provides a forum for the discussion of all issues of concern to the faculty and is dedicated to creating and maintaining a University environment that preserves academic freedom and fosters the free exchange of ideas.
The rights, privileges, and responsibilities of the faculty of Ohio University are governed by the statements and bylaws contained in the latest revision of this Faculty Handbook. Proposed revisions are referred to the Faculty Senate and, when approved by the Senate, are forwarded as recommendations to the President for approval and subsequent publication in the Faculty Handbook.
Approved as Official University Policy
By
______________________________________
Roderick J. McDavis, President
Contents
I. Academic Freedom
A. Academic Freedom, Professional Ethics and Tenure
1. Statement of Principles-American Association of University Professors
2. Statement on Professional Ethics
3. Academic Freedom
4. Academic Tenure
B. Political Activity of Professors
C. Policy on News Releases and Press Conferences
D. Policy on Faculty Academic Files
II. Contracts
A. New Appointments
B. Special Appointments
1. Professional Courtesy Appointments
2. Other Special Appointments
C. Faculty Rank and Status: Privileges and Limitations
1. Academic Rank
2. Appointment of Faculty
3. Classification of Faculty
4. Faculty Status
5. Promotion
6. Faculty Tenure
7. Appointment and Tenure for Members of the Same Family
8. Adjudication and Amendment
D. Appointments, Tenure, and Renewal of Contracts
1. Terms of Appointment
2. Probationary Appointments
3. Renewal of Contracts for Probationary Appointments
4. Termination of Appointment by the University
5. Loss of Tenure
E. Procedures for Tenure and Advancement in Rank and Recommendations for Salary Increases
F. Grievance Procedures for Non-reappointment and for Denial of Promotion and/or Tenure
G. Faculty Grievance Committee
H. Sick Leave Policy
I. Leaves of Absence
1. Justification
2. Regulation
J. Parental Leave
K. Resignations
L. Retirement
M. Wage Rate for Part-Time Faculty
N. Overload Compensation for Contract Personnel
O. Regional Campus Faculty Members
P. Relocation from One Ohio University Campus to Another
Q. Graduate Student Contract Grievance Board
R. Policy on Sexual Harassment
S. Policy on Consensual and Familial Relationships in the Instructional Setting
T. Consensual and Family Relationships
III. Group Benefits
A. Health Insurance Plans
1. Basic Plan
2. Comprehensive Plan
3. Open Choice PPO
B. Pre-certification
C. Life Insurance
D. Dental Insurance
E. Vision Insurance
F. Flexible Spending Account
G. Major Medical and Life Insurance for Early Retirees
H. Travel Accident Insurance
I. Sick Leave Policy - Retirement Benefit
J. Disability Insurance
K. Ohio University Employees Credit Union
L. State Teachers Retirement System (STRS)
M. Tax Deferred Annuities
N. Twelve-Month Pay Option
O. Policy Regarding Retirement-System Contribution For Those On Leave
P. Educational Benefits For Faculty Children
Q. Educational Benefits For Eligible Contract Employees and Their Spouses
R. Early Retirement Policy
IV. Academic Activities
A. General
1. Scope
2. Change of Instructor, Time, or Place of Meeting
3. Information Given Class at First Meeting
4. Class Lists and Record Books
5. Office Hours for Student Conferences
6. Texts
7. Retention of Student Records
8. Instructional Evaluation
B. Class Attendance
1. Instructor Absences
2. Dropping Non-attending Students
3. Class Attendance Policy
C. Final Examinations and Change of Grade
1. Final Examinations
2. Correction of Grade
3. Grade Appeals
D. Participation in Outside Work
E. Course Auditing Privileges
F. Faculty and Administrator Registration for Graduate Degrees
G. Travel and Entertainment Expense
H. Ohio University Patent Policy
I. Course Credit and Grading in Emergencies
J. Guidelines for Sponsored Research
K. Policy for Faculty Participation in Production of Educational Materials
L. Procedures in the Event of Allegations of Violation of Professional Ethics
1. Introduction
2. Violations of Professional Ethics not Involving Research Misconduct
3. Fraud and Misconduct in Professional Research
V. University Faculty Fellowship Program, Research Grants, and Awards
A. University Faculty Fellowships
B. The John C. Baker Fund
C. Distinguished Professor Award
D. Leaves of Absence and Reduction of Teaching Load for Support of Research
E. Ohio University Research Committee
F. Emeritus Status
G. University Professor
VI. Faculty Organizations
A. Constitution of the Faculty Senate of Ohio University
B. Bylaws of the Faculty Senate of Ohio University
1. Rules of Election
2. The Election of Faculty Senate Officers
3. Salaries and Stipends of the Officers of the Faculty Senate
4. Meetings
5. Standing Committees
6. Faculty Initiation of Proposals
7. Faculty Initiated Referendum
8. Recall of Faculty Senate Members
9. Removal of Senate Officers or Committee Chairpersons
10. Parliamentary Authority
11. Amendments of the Bylaws
C. Ohio University Representatives to the Ohio Faculty Council
VII. University Committees, Curriculum Council, Department Chairs, Deans
A. University Committees
B. University Curriculum Council
C. General Education Council
D. Graduate Council
E. Appointment and Evaluation of Department Chairs and School Directors
F. Appointment and Evaluation of Deans and Executive Officers
G. Appointment of Assistant and Associate Deans
VIII. Student Regulations of Interest to the Faculty
A. Student Records
B. Instructors' Attendance Reports
C. Notification of Causes of Absence
D. Student Dress and Appearance Requirements
E. Teaching Associate Dress and Appearance Requirements
F. Academic Dishonesty
IX. Appendix A
A. Affirmative Action Policy
B. University Ombudsman
C. Archival Policy
D. Commitment to Equitable Treatment
E. Guideline for Implementation of University Faculty Fellowship Program
F. Recommendations Regarding Departmental Promotion and Tenure Committees at all
Campuses of Ohio University
X. Appendix B
A. Notification Deadlines
1. Non-renewal of Probationary Appointments (Section II.D.3)
2. Promotion and Tenure (Sections II.D.1, II.E.2, II.E.7, II.E.8, and II.E.10)
3. Evaluation and Contracts of Continuing Faculty (Sections II.D.1, II.D.2, and II.E)
4. Resignations (Section II.K)
5. University Faculty Fellowships (Sections V.A.11 and V.A.12)
B. Time Limits
1. Appeal of Non-reappointment or Denial of Tenure or Promotion (Section II.F)
2. Grievances other than Reappointment, Promotion, and Tenure (Section II.G)
3. Minimum Period for Retention for Student Records (Section IV.A.9)
XI. Appendix C
Healthcare Benefits - Contributions and Expenditures
I. ACADEMIC FREEDOM
A. Academic Freedom, Professional Ethics and Tenure
Ohio University subscribes fully to the 1940 Statement of Principles of the American Association of University Professors regarding academic freedom and regarding tenure except as altered below in Section II.D.2.a.
Section II.D.2.a is consistent with the statement adopted by the American Association of University professors in June 1978.
1. Statement of Principles-American Association of University Professors[1]
The purpose of this statement is to promote public understanding and support of academic freedom and tenure, and agreement upon procedures to assure them in colleges and universities. Institutions of higher education are conducted for the common good, and not to further the interest of either the individual teacher[2] or the institution as a whole. The common good depends upon the free search for truth, and its free exposition.
Academic freedom is essential to these purposes, and applies to both teaching and research. Freedom in research is fundamental to the advancement of truth. Academic freedom in its teaching aspect is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the teacher in teaching, and of the student to freedom in learning. It carries with it duties correlative with rights.
Tenure is a means to certain ends; specifically:
(1) freedom of teaching and research and of extramural activities and
(2) a sufficient degree of economic security to make the profession attractive to men and women of ability.
Freedom and economic security, hence tenure, are indispensable to the success of an institution in fulfilling its obligations to its students and to society.
2. Statement on Professional Ethics[3]
a. Faculty, guided by a deep conviction of the worth and dignity of the advancement of knowledge, recognize the special responsibilities placed upon them. This primary responsibility to their subject is to seek and to state the truth as they see it. To this end, they devote their energies to developing and improving their scholarly competence. They accept the obligation to exercise self-discipline and judgment in using, extending, and transmitting knowledge. Faculty members should practice intellectual honesty. Although they may follow subsidiary interests, these interests must never seriously hamper or compromise their freedom of inquiry.
b. As teachers, professors encourage the free pursuit of learning in their students. They hold before them the best scholarly and ethical standards of their discipline. Professors demonstrate respect for students as individuals, and adhere to their proper roles as intellectual guides and advisors. Professors make every reasonable effort to foster honest academic conduct, and to ensure that their evaluations of students reflect each student's true merit. They respect the confidential nature of the relationship between professor and student. They avoid any exploitation, harassment, or discriminatory treatment of students. They acknowledge significant academic or scholarly assistance from them. They protect the academic freedom of their students.
c. As colleagues, faculty have obligations that derive from common membership in the community of scholars. Faculty do not discriminate against or harass colleagues. They respect and defend the free inquiry of associates. In the exchange of criticism and ideas, professors show due respect for the opinions of others. Professors acknowledge academic debt and strive to be objective in their professional judgment of colleagues. Professors accept their share of faculty responsibilities for the governance of their institution.
d. As members of an academic institution, professors seek, above all, to be effective teachers and scholars. Although professors observe the stated regulations of the institution, provided the regulations do not contravene academic freedom, they maintain their right to criticize and seek revision. Professors give due regard to their paramount responsibilities within their institutions in determining the amount and character of work done outside it. When considering the interruption or termination of their service, professors recognize the effect of their decision upon the institution, and give due notice of their intentions.
e. As members of their community, professors have the rights and obligations of other citizens. Professors measure the urgency of these obligations in the light of their responsibilities to their subject, to their students, to their profession, and to their institution. When they speak or act as private persons, they avoid creating the impression of speaking or acting for their college or university. As citizens engaged in a profession that depends upon freedom for its health and integrity, professors have a particular obligation to promote conditions of free inquiry and to further public understanding of academic freedom.
3. Academic Freedom
a. The teacher is entitled to full freedom in research and in the publication of the results, subject to the adequate performance of his/her other academic duties; but research for pecuniary return should be based upon an understanding with the authorities of the institution.
b. All teachers are entitled to freedom in the classroom in discussing their subject, but they should avoid persistently intruding material which has no relation to their subject.
c. College or university teachers are citizens, members of a learned profession, and officers of an educational institution. When they speak or write as citizens, they should be free from institutional censorship or discipline, but their special position in the community imposes special obligations. As men or women and as educational officers, they should remember that the public may judge their profession and their institution by their utterances. Hence, they should at all times be accurate, should exercise appropriate restraint, should show respect for the opinions of others, and should make every effort to indicate that they are not institutional spokespersons.
4. Academic Tenure
After the expiration of a probationary period, teachers or investigators should have permanent or continuous tenure, and their service should be terminated only for adequate cause, except in the cases of retirement for age, or under extraordinary circumstances because of financial exigencies. In the interpretation of this principle, it is understood that the following represents acceptable academic practice:
a. The precise terms and conditions of every appointment should be stated in writing, and be in the possession of both institution and teacher before the appointment is consummated.
b. Beginning with appointment to the rank of full-time instructor or a higher rank, the probationary period shall not exceed seven years, except as qualified in II.D.2.e. Notice shall be given at least one year prior to the expiration of the probationary period if the faculty member is not to be continues in service after the expiration of that period.
c. During the probationary period, a teacher should have the academic freedom that all other members of the faculty have.
d. Termination for cause of a continuous appointment, or the dismissal for cause of a teacher previous to the expiration of a term appointment should, if possible, be considered by both a faculty committee and the governing board of the institution. In all cases where the facts are in dispute, accused teachers should be informed before the hearing in writing of the charges against them and should have the opportunity to be heard in their own defense by all bodies that pass judgment upon their case. They should be permitted to have with them an advisor of their own choosing who may act as counsel. There should be a full stenographic record of the hearing available to the parties concerned. In the hearing of charges of incompetence, the testimony should include that of teachers and other scholars, either from their own or from other institutions. Teachers on continuous appointment who are dismissed for reasons not involving moral turpitude should receive their salaries for at least a year from the date of notification of dismissal whether or not they are continued in their duties at the institution.
e. Termination of a continuous appointment because of financial exigency should be demonstrably bona fide.
B. Political Activity of Professors
1. The college or university faculty member is a citizen and, like other citizens, should be free to engage in political activities so far as he/she is able to do so consistently with his/her obligations as a teacher and scholar.
2. Many kinds of political activity (e.g., holding part-time office in a political party, seeking election to any office under circumstances that do not require extensive campaigning, or serving by appointment or election in a part-time political office) are consistent with effective service as a member of a faculty. Other kinds of political activity (e.g., intensive campaigning for elective office, serving in a state legislature, or serving a limited term in a full-time position) may require that the professor seek a leave of absence from his/her college or university.