ULV Part-Time Faculty Handbook:
Other Academic Policies
Part-time instructors are responsible for choosing (an) appropriate textbook(s) for each class they teach. Some departments (e.g., Health Services Management and the School of Business and Global Studies) have provided a short list of books for each course from which to choose. Check with the department chair (central campus) or center/campus/program director for a course outline and textbook list. Textbook orders should be submitted six to eight weeks prior to the start of the term. Book requests should specify author, title, edition, publisher, and ISBN as well as whether a study guide, CD-ROM, instructor's guide, or other materials are needed. If a desk copy is wanted, it needs to be ordered separately as directed by the department (central campus or Athens) or center/campus/program director (SCE).
Central campus students purchase textbooks at the Bookstore on D Street. Students in other programs order textbooks according to directions they receive from the center/campus/program office. The ULV Bookstore is run by Follett Corporation, and most most programs utilize it. Students may order books online from the bookstore's homepage, www.ulv.edu/students/bookstore.shtml as well as by calling the Bookstore's 800 telephone number.
Students are responsible for obtaining textbooks assigned for their courses by the first class meeting.
The University expects faculty to come prepared to begin teaching at the very first class meeting. Classes should meet for the full period of time scheduled. This is also true of the Orientation session in Weekend College cycle classes.
At the first class meeting faculty should describe the course objectives and requirements for satisfactory completion of the course (number of papers, examinations, grading standards and weighting, etc.). ULV requires that faculty distribute a syllabus to students which outlines the course, including topics to be covered, the date these topics will be discussed, types and dates of examinations, grading policies, required and recommended books and readings, and a phone number, fax number, and e-mail address where the instructor can be reached, if possible.
C. Course Outline and Course Syllabus
The University defines the "course outline" as the basic course structure, content, and guidelines prepared by the department for use by all faculty teaching the course no matter where they are teaching or whether they are fulltime or part-time faculty. Each individual teaching the course is expected to draft his/her syllabus from the outline and submit a copy of the syllabus to the department secretary (central campus) or center/campus/program office (SCE and Athens) prior to the first class session.
As described in the Course Proposals, Outlines, and Syllabi section of the Quality Management System Manual (QMS Manual, IIC), every course outline contains the following:
The individual course syllabus contains all of the items on the course outline as well as such additional things as
The course outline for each course and sample syllabi can be obtained from the department (central campus) or the SCE center/campus/program office.
The University encourages faculty to require class attendance. The syllabus for each course should specify the course attendance policy, including penalties for absences. ULV's general policy requiring "regular and prompt attendance at all University classes" as stated in the ULV Catalog is reprinted in section IIB, Faculty Policies and Practices, of this handbook.
Papers assigned, where appropriate, should follow a mini-thesis format (i.e., cover page, table of contents, introduction/problem statement, literature review, conclusion). The Turabian style manual, American Psychological Association manual, Modern Language Association manual, or other department-approved manual should be used. Spelling, syntax, grammar, and organization should be part of the evaluation of students' written work. So should the process as well as the outcome. Timeliness of completion is also important. The grading standards, methods of evaluation, and deadlines should be communicated in writing through the course syllabus.
What standards for written work should be used for students for whom English is a second language? How can faculty assist them with writing? The Director of La Verne's Writing Program, Professor Cathy Henley-Erickson, addressed this issue at a recent Faculty Assembly meeting. She explained that there are specific points in English that international students confuse. One is the use of prepositions, such as of, with, and in; another is the use of articles, such as the, a, and an. She suggested that, in grading the written work of international students, faculty should point out problems with prepositions and articles but not reduce the grade too much for these mistakes. She also suggested that faculty encourage international students to work in partnership with students who have "an ear" for English, and also that faculty have a writing handbook available to show students. She said that it is useful to ask students about the similarities they see between their languages and English (e.g., verb tenses), and she urged that students be advised to seek help at the Learning Enhancement Center and from the ESL program. In grading the written work of international students, she said faculty should be concerned about "global errors," those that change the meaning of the sentence, and less concerned about "local errors" which do not change the meaning.
Here is an example of a local error (which should be noted but not much affect the grade):
Faculty are required to hold every class session as scheduled for the full time scheduled. Starting classes late, dismissing classes early, or allowing excessive or long breaks puts the University out of compliance with accreditation guidelines. The Carnegie Unit, the accepted national standard, requires that for each semester unit a class meet for 15 contact hours (50 minutes of instruction and 10 minutes of break time). Hence, a 3-semester-hour course should meet 45 contact hours; a 4-semester-hour course should meet 60 contact hours.
Part-time faculty may not make changes in day, time, or location of the scheduled classes without prior approval of the department chair and Registrar (central campus and Athens) or the SCE center/campus/program director. If a temporary change in time or location is planned (such as for a field trip), this requires prior notification of the department chair or SCE center/campus/program director.
If you are to be absent during a scheduled class session, please notify the department chair or center/campus/program director at the earliest possible time prior to the scheduled class session. If possible an appropriate substitute will be arranged.
If you plan to have a guest instructor, please notify the department chair or center/campus/program director. For courses on military bases, authorization to enter the base may be required.
How does one meet the Carnegie Unit scheduling commitment, particularly in courses that are scheduled for 2, 5, and even a day at a time? How can the the 60-contact-hour requirement be met when a class is scheduled, for example, for five hours one day a week for 10 weeks? Many part-time faculty over the years have stated that they cannot lecture for five straight hours. Students complain when they are forced to sit through five uninterrupted hours of lecture. The answer is not to lecture for all the hours scheduled. The answer is to add variety and change to the course.
As William Cowper wrote, "Variety's the very spice of life, That gives it all its flavour." Some of the many ways that spice productively can be added to University classes are listed below. Lecture and textbooks will still be the backbone of most courses, but variety in presenting material not only will keep student attention, but, when skillfully used, will further the education process better than lecturing will. Of course, variety for the sake of variety does not education make: the material presented must promote the goals of the course. The list includes successful methodologies from many fields; no course or even academic field can use them all. Variety is important: relying too heavily on one of these methodologies can become as tedious as doing nothing but lecturing. Be creative and do not be afraid to experiment.
The University supports appropriate field trips, but trips scheduled outside the course's normal class hours need to be carefully planned so that students can attend without missing other classes. Trips should be announced in the instructor's syllabus so that students can arrange their schedules to attend. The department chair (central campus and Athens) or center/campus/program director (off campus and CAPA) should be notified of classes (including Weekend College classes) which do not meet as scheduled.
Courses are scheduled to conform with ULV academic policy of a minimum of 15 contact hours for each semester unit of credit, and faculty are required to adhere to scheduled meeting times. Sometimes, however, a deviation in the schedule is necessary. The department chair (central campus and Athens) or center/campus/program director (SCE) should be contacted immediately when such a deviation is anticipated. Faculty may not change the official schedule without prior approval of the department chair or director as appropriate.
The most common reasons for rescheduling a class and the University's policies for handling each of them are as follows:
The calendar for all ULV programs is published in the Calendar section of the annual ULV Catalog (page 5) and on the ULV website at www.ulv.edu/general/calen.html. Holiday periods are noted.
University policy regarding adding and dropping classes is described in the Registration section of the ULV Catalog (page 55):
Summer Sessions registration and program changes may be made through the third class meeting. Students must attend the first class meeting or they may be dropped by the instructor. Students who have been dropped by the instructor for failure to attend must formally withdraw from the course in the Registrar's Office to avoid being charged for the course and receiving a failure grade.
CAPA students register at the CAPA office.
Residence Centers. Registration takes place during the two weeks prior to the opening of classes, and late registration extends to the end of the first week of the term. A fee is charged for late registration. Program changes are permitted during the first three weeks of the term, but only with the approval of the instructor and academic advisor, and only with the payment of the program change fee.
Other SCE Degree Programs. Registration takes place at or before the first class session, and the period of extended registration ends at the second class session. In some cases late registration is permitted at the third class session, but only with the approval of the instructor and academic advisor and upon payment of the late registration fee.
The Withdrawal policy is specified in in the Grades section of the ULV Catalog (page 62):
L. Directed and Independent Studies, Challenges, and Audits
The policies for these four alternative modes of instruction are completely outlined in the Alternative Instructional Modes section of the ULV Catalog (page 59). Only the highlights are summarized here:
Directed Study:
Independent Study:
Course Challenge:
Audit:
New courses begin as course proposals prepared according the nine-point outline contained in Guidelines for Writing Course Proposals (QMS45). Next, the department (central campus and Athens) or center/campus/program director (SCE) prepares a New Course Approval Form (QMS92) which lists all the information needed to obtain course approval. The course proposal must be approved by the department chair(s) and dean(s).
At some SCE locations it is the responsibility of the faculty member to shut off the classroom lights and lock the classroom door. Please check with the center/campus/program director to determine the policy.
ULV makes every effort to assure the security of classrooms. Nevertheless, personal belongings and other valuables should never be left unattended. The Campus Safety Department is responsible for security on the main campus, and it is further described in section VIIIK, Campus Safety, of this handbook.
O. Student Judicial Procedures and Appeals
The Judicial Procedures section of the ULV Catalog (page 68) provides for student appeals of academic matters and conduct violations. The following is an excerpt from the full catalog statement:
The primary objective of establishing disciplinary standards is to maintain an appropriate level of conduct in our academic and social community. If an institution is public, it is required to grant due process. Because ULV is a private institution, constitutional due process is not required. In all judicial proceedings regarding a student's social behavior, the student will be treated with fundamental fairness.
ULV's academic judicial procedures permit members of the University community to register complaints against individuals or groups with the academic deans, the Dean of the School of Continuing Education, or the Dean of Student Affairs, as appropriate.
Right to Judicial Review. A student who is charged with a social policy violation has the right to a judicial review prior to any action being taken. The only exception to being granted a full judicial review prior to any action being taken occurs when a student may present a continuing danger to persons or to the property of others. In this case, the student may be separated from the University immediately and then be provided a judicial review at a later date. Otherwise, a student under disciplinary action has the right to be present on campus and to attend classes until suspended or expelled.
Structure of the Social Judicial Process. Violations of ULV social behavior standards or policies are normally handled by a judicial review body under Fundamentally Fairness procedures. Situations requiring such action include violations of ULV's drug, alcohol, and sexual behavior policies, as well as incidents of violence threatening the safety of an employee or other members of the campus community. . . .
Appeals Procedures on Academic Matters. A student may appeal final grades, academic honesty decisions, and most policy decisions. Procedures for appealing final grades and academic honesty are contained in the Final Grades and Academic Honesty [see sections IVH and IIIE respectively of this handbook] sections of this catalog. The path of appeal for grades and course requirements starts with the instructor in the course and then goes successively to the department chair (to the program chair in the SBGS; to the center/program director in SCE), the Dean of the college or school, and the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Appeals on academic honesty decisions at the central campus begin with the instructor and then may be taken in turn to the department chair (to the program chair in the SBGS), Dean, and the Vice President, except in the College of Law, where the first appeal is to the Dean. At SCE centers the first appeal is to the instructor and then to an ad hoc faculty committee convened for this purpose at the center by the director. Appeals of decisions by these committees should be directed first to the Dean of SCE and then to the Vice President. Appeals on academic policy decisions must be made to the Undergraduate or Graduate Appeals Committee.
Appeals of decisions by these committees can be made to the Dean of the college or school and to the Vice President in that order. Central campus students wishing to appeal ESL decisions should write directly to the chair of the ESL Appeals Committee.
Appeals must be made in writing, on the appropriate appeals form, to the Undergraduate or Graduate Appeals Committee. Central campus students can obtain these forms from the Registrar and Graduate Office respectively; SCE students may request them from the director or coordinator of their center or program. When certain appeals are granted, penalty/administrative fees may be assessed. All appeals must be made in a timely manner, generally within four weeks of the action or decision in question.
Faculty generally return homework assignments, midterm examinations, and term papers to students. Final examinations, however, are often kept by the faculty. Finals and all other graded student work not returned to the student should be retained for at least six months.