Section 3: Comprehensive Standards

3.7.5 The institution publishes policies on the responsibility and authority of faculty in academic and governance matters.

Judgment of Compliance:
Compliance

Narrative/Justification for Judgment of Compliance:
Christopher Newport University is in compliance with this comprehensive standard. The University Handbook is the official document that enumerates the policies and procedures regarding the role of the faculty in academic and governance matters. It includes the by-laws of the Board of Visitors and regulations pertaining to Instructional and Administrative Professional faculty. Adherence to the Board of Visitor's by-laws and the University's regulations is cited in the full-time faculty employment contract.

The responsibilities of academic rank are sustained excellence in teaching and involvement in the faculty member's academic discipline, department, college/school, the University, and the community. According to Section XI. 5 of the University Handbook, the teaching load for full-time Instructional faculty is fifteen lecture hours (or its equivalent in or in combination with studio/laboratory instruction) per week each semester, based on a semester credit hour system. Reductions for other academic duties for the welfare of the University may be made under the direction of the President. Because full-time faculty are expected to be active in committee work, full-time professional development, student advising, and other forms of service to the department, the University, and the community, the full-time teaching load may consist of twelve lecture hours or its equivalent per week.

Other specific responsibilities include fulfillment of duties by meeting of classes, at the times and places assigned, insuring program accessibility for qualified disabled students, holding office hours, submitting mid-term and final grades, participating in IDEA student ratings of instructors, and attendance at commencement ceremonies.

Section XVII of the University Handbook details the responsibility of the individual faculty member as: each faculty member is responsible for providing students with specific objectives of assigned courses, for methods and procedures of instructing and evaluating student performance, and for awarding of earned grades. Each instructional faculty member is responsible for formulating and implementing a professional development plan and for department, University, and community service. Also in that section it states: faculty at the department level bear primary responsibility for the instruction of students and for curriculum development. They also approve textbooks for courses taught by more than one member of the department, advise students, and decide policies for equivalency testing or other ways of earning credit in the major. The departmental faculty sets the professional standards and establishes administrative policies within the department, subject to the approval of the academic dean. Faculty members participate in the evaluation of the professional performance of colleagues in accord with University policies governing peer evaluation; recommend new instructional programs within the department; recommend policies related to interdepartmental, interscholastic and inter-institutional cooperation; and recommend student advising policies to the chair and to the appropriate dean. Faculty members make recommendations to the Dean and Chair concerning scheduling of courses; assignment of instructors; assignment of office space; cancellation of courses due to insufficient enrollment; allocation of computer time; selection of new faculty; secretarial services; and student assistants. Faculty assist the chair in the formulation of the departmental budget and consultation with the chair concerning its administration.

The University Handbook makes clear that consistent with the goals and policies of the University and those of their respective departments, individual faculty members determine the specific objectives of the courses that are their responsibility. The faculty member decides the course content; methods and procedures of evaluating student performance; the level of instruction appropriate to the class and the students; the administrative policies of the course; the research he of she does as a complement to teaching; and appropriate kinds and methods of self-evaluation. Individual faculty members also initiate requests and recommendations for changes in the University curriculum or the major or minor within their department.

Furthermore, it is expected that faculty members will keep abreast of current knowledge and developments in their disciplines and use instructional methods and materials that are appropriate. Faculty members define standards of student performance in their courses, establish appropriate objectives for students, and evaluate student performance. It is expected that faculty will provide prompt information to students concerning their performance, provide a calendar of assignments, prepare syllabi for courses to include objectives for student performance standards, assignments, texts, and related readings.

The responsibilities and authority of the instructional faculty are outlined in University Handbook Section XVII University Governance, A.2.:

The Instructional faculty shall have the reasonable opportunity to participate in the formulation, development, review, and alteration of regulations and procedures affecting academics and the Instructional faculty of the University. These regulatory and procedural areas shall include:

1. curriculum and transfer credit;
2. grading system, examination, and appeals;
3. faculty development;
4. standards for retention, promotions, tenure, and the recognition of merit;
5. faculty personnel matters such as fringe benefits, outside employment, leaves of absence, and other working conditions;
6. long and short range institutional academic and fiscal planning.

According to the University Handbook, regarding all matters within its jurisdiction, the Instructional faculty makes the results of its deliberations known in the form of written recommendations to the Provost. These written recommendations are transmitted to the Provost by the Chair of the Instructional Faculty.

The Instructional faculty may delegate certain of its responsibilities to other bodies in a fashion approved by the President. These bodies include the graduate faculty (for all matters pertaining to the conduct of the graduate program), certain committees of the University (e.g., the Academic Status Committee), and the Faculty Senate.

The Academic Affairs and Faculty Affairs Standing Committees of the University are charged with making recommendations to the Provost and/or Faculty Senate or Graduate Faculty Council as appropriate on matters pertaining to the University's curriculum and faculty. Committee membership includes faculty who are elected by the instructional faculty or appointed by the Provost or a combination of both. The Faculty Senate also appoints a liaison to any academic or faculty affairs committee that does not have a senator in its membership.

Examples of academic and faculty affairs committees are:

A complete list of all standing committees, a description of members, and responsibilities are in University Handbook Section XVII.C.

Support Documentation:
University Handbook 06-07, Section XVII, University Governance
University Handbook 06-07, Section XI.5, Responsibilities and Privileges of Academic Rank
University Handbook 06-07, Section XVII E, Instructional Faculty as Individuals in Departments
University Handbook 06-07, Section XVII.C, Standing Committees
Full-time Faculty Contract

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