Regulations

IR 6715 Faculty Evaluation and Engagement

Section: 6000 Instruction
Sub Section: 6700 Faculty
Title: IR 6715 Faculty Evaluation and Engagement
Primary Policy:
Associated Policies: IP 6710 Faculty Rights and Responsibilities
Associated Regulations: GAR 1140 Institutional Effectiveness
References: Addendum: “Faculty Evaluation Process and Engagement System Document” Add Attachment A
Supersedes: NA
Responsible Administrator: Chief Academic Officer
Initial Approval: 04-19-2017	Last Revision: 03-20-2019

Three Rivers College is devoted to teaching and learning, and provides the highest quality educational experience for students. As part of this process, all faculty whose primary responsibility is teaching shall be required to participate in an annual evaluation.

Required Evaluation

Full-time Faculty

The annual evaluation timeline is conducted on the calendar year and is divided into an evaluation portion and an engagement portion. The evaluation portion of the process must be completed annually and the engagement process is voluntary for full time faculty.

The required annual evaluation is based on course observations, student course evaluations, and the 28 items determined by the faculty and described as minimum expectations of any faculty member. The minimum expectations for evaluation are as follows:

Teaches a full course load
Teaches to the course outcomes
Prepares, maintains, and updates syllabi and course materials
Meets classes as scheduled
Posts and keeps regular office hours
Uses appropriate methods of assessing student work Responds to students in a timely fashion
Advises students, assists and guides advisees in developing appropriate educational plans
Serves on college-wide standing committees as appropriate
Follows current policies and regulations as applicable
Attends college-wide faculty meetings
Participates in convocations, commencements, and other required meetings
Fully Participates in the evaluation process
Submits course grades on time
Submits attendance on time
Serves on division/department committees as appropriate
Maintains accurate records of grades, attendance, and so on
Participates in division and department meetings
Participates in the curricular process
Adheres to deadlines
Participates in the planning and improvement process
Participates in the learning assessment process
Maintains up-to-date information in Office of Human Resources (transcripts and other documentation as appropriate)
Uses the institutional Learning Management System (LMS) for all courses (i.e., Blackboard)
Maintains certification and licensure as appropriate
Maintains and updates knowledge in area of expertise
Uses Course Evaluation information as appropriate
Consults with Department Chair/department coordinator as necessary

Only full-time faculty meeting all minimum expectations may be considered in the engagement process. Failure to meet minimum expectations shall result in the faculty member being placed on a performance improvement plan.

Voluntary Engagement System (Full Time Faculty Only)

Full time faculty member shall prepare a set of goals for the coming year and make a self-determination whether they shall be engaged (meet minimum expectations), well engaged, or highly engaged. The faculty member shall then select an appropriate number of items beyond the items listed as minimal requirements. To be well engaged, ten (10) additional items shall be completed with no fewer than five (5) of those ten (10) coming from the Teaching and Learning. To be highly engaged, fifteen (15) items in addition to the minimum be complete with no fewer than seven (7) coming from Teaching and Learning.

The faculty member shall meet with their Department Chair. During this meeting, the goals and associated items shall be reviewed and the faculty member and Department Chair shall agree on the plan.

Mid-term review (Optional)

The faculty member and Department Chair shall meet to review the process and go over the documentation after the completion of the required evaluation. The faculty member is responsible for documenting the non-minimal requirement portion of the evaluation.

Engagement Appeal Process:

Three Rivers College encourages the resolution of disputes at the lowest level. In cases of an unresolved dispute regarding the engagement process, the faculty member must submit in writing a request for an appeal to the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) of the college. Within seven (7) days of the appeal request, the CAO shall appoint a minimum of three faculty members to serve as the appeal panel. Once the panel is selected, the CAO shall request that both the Department Chair and the faculty present in writing a letter of explanation outlining the issues at hand and all documentation that either party believes necessary and both the Department Chair and the faculty member shall have seven (7) business days to supply the requested documentation. Within ten business days of the submission of the requested documentation the appeals panel shall meet. Within seven (7) business days of the initial appeals panel meeting, a written decision shall be provided to the CAO. The CAO shall provide a written decision to the faculty member and the Department Chair within five (5) business days. The decision of the appeal panel is binding and final.

In the case that the faculty member believes an appeal procedure has been violated in their case, the faculty member or Department Chair shall have two (2) business days to file a request for a procedural appeal with the CAO in which the specific procedural issues must be clearly stated. The CAO shall investigate the procedural issues and issue a decision in writing within five (5) business days. The procedural appeal shall not address any substantive issue addressed by the appeal panel nor any new substantive issue. It is intended as a safeguard to ensure that all steps in the engagement appeal process have been followed.

No member of the appeals panel shall be revealed to either the faculty member or the Department Chair and all communication necessary between members of the appeals panel and the interested parties shall be conducted through the Office of the Chief Academic Officer. This methodology has been selected to ensure the anonymity of the committee and the faculty member and to eliminate undue influence being placed on any party involved.

Required Evaluation

Adjunct Faculty

Adjunct faculty shall be evaluated annually by their respective Department Chair. Conducted on the calendar year, the adjunct evaluation shall include course observations, student course evaluations, and an evaluation of the following 18 items.

Minimum Requirements for Employment as Adjunct Faculty

Teaches to the course outcomes
Meets classes as scheduled
Prepares, maintains, and updates syllabi and course materials per department
Uses appropriate methods of assessing student work
Responds to students in a timely fashion
Follows current policies and regulations as applicable
Participates fully in the evaluation process for Adjunct Faculty
Submits course grades on time
Submits attendance on time
Maintains accurate record of grades, attendance, etc.
Adheres to deadlines
Participates in the learning assessment process
Maintains up-to-date information in Office of Human Resources (transcripts and other documentation as appropriate)13. Maintains up-to-date information in Office of Human Resources (transcripts and other documentation as appropriate)
Uses the institutional Learning Management System (LMS) for all courses
Maintains certification and licensure as appropriate
Maintains and updates knowledge in area of expertise
Uses Course Evaluation information as appropriate
Consults with Department Chair or Program Coordinator as necessary

DOCUMENT HISTORY:

4-19-2017:		Initial approval of IR 6715 Faculty Evaluation and Engagement.
03-20-2019:		Inclusion of Adjunct Faculty evaluation requirements.

Addendum A

Faculty Evaluation and Engagement System

An annual process to evaluate the minimum expectations of full-time faculty (required), measure and ensure the engagement of faculty across the college in the categories of (1) Teaching and Learning, (2) Advising, (3) Internal Service/External Outreach and (4) Educational Leadership/Scholarship/Creative Activities/Research and Professional Development.

Cycle time -January to December

Step 1- Faculty member prepares a set of goals for the coming year and makes a self-determination whether they will be engaged (meets minimum expectations), well engaged, or highly engaged. The faculty member will then select an appropriate number of items beyond the items listed as minimal requirements. To be well engaged, the executive committee recommends that 10 additional items be completed with no fewer than five of those ten coming from the Teaching and Learning. To be highly engaged, the recommendation is that 15 items in addition to the minimum be complete with no fewer than 7 coming from Teaching and Learning.

Step 2- Faculty member meets with Chair. During this meeting the goals and associated items will be reviewed and the faculty member and chair will come to an agreement on the plan.

Step 3- Mid-term review (Optional)

Step 4- Final cycle meeting- the faculty member and chair will meet to review the process and go over the documentation. The responsibility for documenting the minimal requirements is on the chair. The responsibility for documenting the non-minimal requirements will be on the faculty member.

In cases of dispute, an appeal panel will be formed to review the evaluation.

Step 5- New Cycle Begins

Engagement Appeal Process:

In cases of dispute, either the faculty member will submit in writing a request for an appeal to the Chief Academic Officer (CAO) of the college. Upon receipt of the appeals request the CAO will appoint a minimum of three faculty to serve as the appeal panel within seven business days. Once the panel is selected, the CAO will request that both the chair and the faculty present in writing a letter of explanation outlining the issues at hand and all documentation that either party believes necessary. Both the chair and the faculty member will have seven business days to supply the requested documentation. Within ten business days of the submission of the requested documentation, the appeals panel will meet. Within seven business days of the initial appeals panel meeting, a written decision will be provided to the CAO who will provide a written decision to the faculty member and the chair within five business days. The decision of the appeal panel is binding and final.

The faculty member or chair will have two business days to file a request for a procedural appeal with the CAO in which the specific procedural issues must be clearly stated. The CAO will investigate the procedural issues and issue a decision in writing within five business days. The procedural appeal will not address any substantive issue addressed by the appeal panel nor any new substantive issue. It is intended as a safeguard to ensure that all steps in the process have been followed.

No member of the appeals panel will be revealed to either the faculty member or the chair and all communication necessary between members of the appeals panel and the interested parties will be conducted through the CAO. This methodology has been selected to ensure the anonymity of the committee and the faculty member and to eliminate undue influence being placed on any party involved.

Faculty Evaluation/Engagement Measure

Minimum Requirements for Employment

Teaches a full course load
Teaches to the course outcomes
Prepares, maintains, and updates syllabi and course materials
Meets classes as scheduled
Posts and keeps regular office hours
Uses appropriate methods of assessing student work
Responds to students in a timely fashion
Advises students, assisting and guiding advisees in developing appropriate educational plans
Serves on college-wide standing committees as appropriate
Follows current policies and regulations as applicable
Attends college-wide faculty meetings
Participates in convocations, commencements and other required meetings
Fully Participates in the evaluation process
Submits course grades on time
Submits attendance on time
Serves on division/department committees as appropriate
Maintains accurate records of grades, attendance, and so on
Participates in division and department meetings
Participates in the curricular process
Adheres to deadlines
Participates in the planning and improvement process
Participates in the learning assessment process
Maintains up-to-date information in office of Human Resources (transcripts and other documentation as appropriate)
Uses the institutional Learning Management System (LMS) for all courses (i.e., Blackboard)
Maintains certification and licensure as appropriate
Maintains and updates knowledge in area of expertise
Uses Course Evaluation information as appropriate
Consults with Department Chair/department coordinator as necessary

Higher Level Categories for Faculty Evaluation

Category 1: Teaching and Learning

Manage and maintain equipment and facilities that support courses or programs
Explanation:
1. The assumption should be made that the instructor meets this standard unless the department chair has knowledge to the contrary.
  Required Documentation:
2. Discussion between department chair and faculty member regarding any departmental policies that apply to the instructor's courses and the instructor's compliance with those policies (i.e. a departmental policy for mathematics that within certain math classes students use graphing calculators)
Assure specialized equipment and facilities are maintained to the highest standard and used in a safe and effective manner in compliance with all local, state, and federal requirements and in accordance with best practices
Evaluation:
1. Faculty member will perform specific duties to ensure specialized equipment and other facilities are maintained to the highest standard, in accordance to all appropriate regulatory bodies. Prior approval must be obtained from Chair.
  Required Documentation:
2. Documentation will include narrative summary of performed duties in relation to specialized equipment and facilities maintenance. Faculty will submit certification from local, state, and federal authorities demonstrating appropriate achievement where applicable.
Employ innovative instructional methods and technologies in teaching
Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by faculty member
  Required Documentation:
2. Narrative describing various methods used in instruction in accommodating different learning styles
Develop innovative instructional methods and technologies in teaching
Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by faculty member. Print-outs showing course design from web pages may be used if applicable
  Required Documentation:
2. Narrative describing effective instructional strategies utilized in the non-traditional courses taught and the success of the use of these strategies.
Participate in Quality Circles to improve instructional methods
Explanation:
1. The faculty member will participate as a member of a quality circle for an approved quality improvement project. The faculty member will attend the scheduled meetings, provide input, identify actions needed to be taken, work cooperatively to identify/create solutions, and report outcomes for specific task undertaken.
  Required Documentation:
2. Documentation will include a summary of the quality circle objectives/goals, schedule of meetings attended, summary of specific task taken, and a narrative of the overall outcome of the quality circle vs. its stated goals.
Lead a Quality Circle to provide collaborative effort to initiate a student learning initiative
Explanation:
1. Faculty member will identify a continuing improvement initiative in student learning or
  innovation in instructional methodology. The facilitator will identify and recruit a circle of faculty members ranging from 4 to 6 members and schedule a minimum of 4 meetings. The facilitator will identify and set goals for the quality circle, facilitate the scheduled meetings, coordinate actions to be taken, summarize and report outcomes at the end of the quality circle term.
  Required Documentation:
2. Documentation will include stated objectives of the quality circle, participating membership, meeting schedule, attendance of participants, actions or task taken by participating memberships, report of outcomes for specific task taken by the participants, and outcomes of the improvement project overall vs. the stated objectives. Final report should include any professional networking that occurred outside the membership of the quality circle.
Develop electronic learning materials for use with the institutional LMS Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by faculty member. Print-outs showing course design from web pages may be used if applicable
  Required Documentation:
2. Narrative describing effective instructional strategies utilized in the non-traditional courses taught and the success of the use of these strategies.
Teach courses with higher contact hours than credit hours
Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by faculty member.
  Required Documentation:
2. Submit schedule
Coordinate a program advisory committee
Explanation:
1. This evidence will be provided by the faculty member
  Required Documentation:
2. Provide a list of advisory committee member names; provide a copy of the agenda and minutes of the advisory meeting
Go above and beyond the call of duty to ensure program viability and/or student success
Explanation:
1. This evidence will be provided by the department chair.
  Required Documentation:
2. Narrative including faculty member's schedule describing faculty member’s participation in these
  activities
Develop assessment tools/master syllabi/instructional materials to be used throughout the department
Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by faculty member
  Required Documentation:
2. Narrative describing various methods used in instruction in accommodating different learning styles
3. Document showing 4 column model listing program objectives and appropriate assessment
  activities, assessment results and use of results for each objective
Interact with and involving adjunct faculty in your department regarding course content, assessment, teaching methodologies, etc. for the purpose of development
Explanation:
1. This evidence will be provided by the faculty member.
  Required Documentation:
2. Narrative describing faculty member’s participation in these activities
Develop new courses and/or programs for curriculum adoption
Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by faculty member
  Required Documentation:
2. Narrative describing any activities undertaken by the faculty member regarding strengthening course and curricular development
Work on a special department or division project in teaching and learning
Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by faculty member
  Required Documentation:
2. Negotiate between faculty member and chair
Work on a special institutional project in teaching and learning
Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by faculty member
  Required Documentation:
2. Negotiate between faculty member and chair

Category 2: Advising

Engage in active involvement with student recruiting efforts
Explanation:
1. The assumption should be made that the instructor meets this standard unless the department chair has knowledge to the contrary.
  Required Documentation:
2. Measured through observation by the department chair of performance in this area
Volunteer for additional service during peak enrollment periods
Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by faculty member
  Required Documentation:
2. Instructor should provide documentation of advising additional students Measured through observation by the department chair of performance in this area
Engage in special involvement with student retention efforts
Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by faculty member
  Required Documentation:
2. Instructor should provide examples of such referrals to any support services, for example, to the
  Academic Support Center, Disability Services, or Counseling and Testing.
Work on a special department or division project in advising
Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by faculty member
  Required Documentation:
2. Negotiate between faculty member and chair
Work on a special institutional project in advising
Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by faculty member
  Required Documentation:
2. Negotiate between faculty member and chair

Category 3: Internal Service/External Outreach

Sponsor a campus student organization or team (apart from regular contracted duties) Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by faculty member
  Required Documentation:
2. Name of organization and responsibilities as advisor
Engage in active involvement in college events outside your discipline
Explanation:
1. This evidence will be provided by the faculty member
  Required Documentation:
2. Provide a list of events attended with the dates. If you worked the event, verification from the event coordinator for that event.
Be a member of/maintaining involvement with a civic or community organization
Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by the faculty member and verified by the chair
  Required Documentation:
2. Minutes of the meetings, board membership list
Assist the chair in evaluating adjunct faculty in your department
Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by faculty member
  Required Documentation:
2. Submit evaluation form of the adjunct faculty
Serve as a peer mentor
Explanation:
1. This evidence will be provided by the faculty member.
  Required Documentation:
2. Narrative describing faculty member’s participation in these activities
Present a breakout session
Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by faculty member
  Required Documentation:
2. Names of workshops/programs with description and dates
Write grants to support initiatives at the college
Explanation: Documentation describing and/or demonstrating activities undertaken by the faculty
member regarding grants that support particular initiatives by the college.
1. Documentation provided by faculty member on yearly basis
  Required Documentation:
  1. Documentation of the initiative chosen that supports the college.
  2. Brief narrative that explains how the grant supports the initiative.
  3. Documentation of the grant and/or grant submission or resubmission.
  4. Documentation showing grant award if applicable.
  5. Documentation demonstrating new work for resubmission
Organize an event which brings area students/children/public to campus
Explanation:
1. This evidence will be provided by the faculty member
  Required Documentation:
2. Provide an approved copy of the Use of Facility form and a summary report of the event.
Serve as an officer of a civic or community organization
Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by faculty member
  Required Documentation:
2. Name of civic/community association, office, and dates of service
Represent the college at multiple public events
Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by faculty member
  Required Documentation:
2. Confirmation of adequate participation from event coordinator
Perform/speak/present a program or demonstration for a community organization or public
Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by faculty member
  Required Documentation:
2. Lists of presentations/performances with dates of activities
Volunteer time and talents within the community (more than 10 hours per year) Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by faculty member
  Required Documentation:
2. Official documentation from organizer of volunteering event with hours worked indicated.
Work on a special department or division project in internal service/external outreach
Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by faculty member
  Required Documentation:
2. Negotiate between faculty member and chair
Work on a special institutional project in internal service/external outreach
Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by faculty member
  Required Documentation:
2. Negotiate between faculty member and chair

Category 4: Educational Leadership/Scholarship/Creative Activities/Research and Professional Development

Serve on the college curriculum committee
Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by faculty member
  Required Documentation:
2. List of committee/task force assignments
Serve on the faculty executive committee
Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by Faculty Executive Committee minutes.
  Required Documentation:
2. Verification from Executive Committee Minutes of attendance at meetings. No more than one meeting should be missed per semester.
Serve as an officer on a college committee
Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by minutes of college committee
  Required Documentation:
2. Verification from college committee minutes of attendance at meetings. No more than one meeting should be missed per semester.
Serve as a planning unit coordinator
Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by faculty member
  Required Documentation:
2. Brief narrative listing responsibilities and period of service
Serve as department coordinator
Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by faculty member
  Required Documentation:
2. Brief narrative listing responsibilities and period of service
Maintain active membership in professional organizations related to your discipline/education
Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by faculty member
  Required Documentation:
2. List detailing memberships, conferences attended and service rendered
Attend state, regional, or national conferences related to education and/or your discipline
Explanation:
1. Documentation describing and/or demonstrating activities undertaken by the faculty member regarding attendance at conferences for education or individual discipline.
2. Documentation provided by faculty member (on yearly basis) Required Documentation:
  1. Documentation of registration for event
  2. Copy of any certificate received
  3. Documentation of attendance
  4. Documentation of dissemination of work provided at conferences
Participate in webinars or forums related to education and/or your discipline
Explanation:
1. Documentation describing and/or demonstrating activities undertaken by the faculty member regarding attendance at conferences for education or individual discipline.
2. Documentation provided by faculty member (on yearly basis)
  Required Documentation:
  1. Documentation of registration for event
  2. Copy of any certificate received
  3. Documentation of attendance
  4. Documentation of dissemination of work provided at conferences
Network with area educators/professionals a.
1. Explanation:
  Documentation provided by faculty member
2. Required Documentation:
  Appropriate documentation negotiated between faculty member and chair
Present at a state, regional, or national conference
Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by faculty member
2. Required Documentation:
  Copy of program with faculty name and presentation
Publish original work in a scholarly journal or similar publication
Explanation:
1. Documentation describing and/or demonstrating work undertaken by the faculty member regarding an original work and the documentation that supports the submission of work.
2. Documentation provided by faculty member
  Required Documentation:
  1. Documentation of the initial work.
  2. Brief narrative that explains how this work is original.
  3. Documentation of the completed work for submission.
  4. Documentation showing acceptance/ award if applicable.
  5. Documentation showing reworking for resubmission if necessary.
  6. Copy of publication
  7. Proof of submission
Submit original work in a scholarly journal or similar publication
Explanation:
1. Documentation describing and/or demonstrating work undertaken by the faculty member regarding an original work and the documentation that supports the submission of work.
2. Documentation provided by faculty member on yearly basis
  Required Documentation:
  1. Documentation of the initial work.
  2. Brief narrative that explains how this work is original.
  3. Documentation of the completed work for submission.
  4. Proof of submission.
Serve as an officer of a professional organization
Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by faculty member
  Required Documentation:
2. Recorded minutes from meetings during term as officer; Contact information from the professional organization to confirm officer standing.
Receive a state-level or national-level award
Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by faculty member
  Required Documentation:
2. The physical award or an official letter from the awarding institution indicating an award was granted, and contact information for the awarding institution
Take additional coursework
Explanation:
1. Documentation of registration provided by faculty member, approval before course starts from supervisor/department chair for types of courses being taken.
  Required Documentation:
2. Documentation which shows final grade.
Earn an additional degree or certificate
Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by faculty member to Human Resources.
  Required Documentation:
2. Official transcript and certificate/diploma.
Organize and/or create performances/exhibits/events/projects
Explanation:
1. This evidence will be provided by the faculty member
  Required Documentation:
2. Provide an approved copy of the Use of Facility form and a summary report of the event.
Work on a special department or division project in educational leadership/scholarship/creative activities/research and professional development
Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by faculty member
  Required Documentation:
2. Negotiate between faculty member and chair
Work on a special institutional project in educational leadership/scholarship/creative activities/research and professional development
Explanation:
1. Documentation provided by faculty member
  Required Documentation:
2. Negotiate between faculty member and chair

IR 6720 Faculty Workload

Section: 6000 Instruction
Sub Section: 6700 Faculty
Title: IR 6720 Faculty Workload
Primary Policy: IP 6710 Faculty Rights and Responsibilities
Associated Policies: IP 6310 Classroom Attendance
Associated Regulations: IR 6310 Classroom Attendance; PR 4210 Work Hours of Employment; IR 6715 Faculty Evaluation and Engagement; IR 6730 Faculty ByLaws; GAR 1140 Institutional Effectiveness
References: Advising Manual; Adjunct Faculty Handbook
Supersedes: NA
Responsible Administrator: Chief Academic Officer
Initial Approval: 04-19-2017	Last Revision:

Three Rivers College has established a 40-hour work week for all employees. Of those 40 hours, it is understood that some faculty work is completed outside the office. Twelve (12) month faculty are held to the requirements set forth herein and will work at an instructional site a minimum of 40 hours per week unless on leave. Of these 40 hours, 25 hours are devoted to lecture, lab, and posted office hours distributed at times convenient for students. The remaining 15 hours are devoted to fulfilling other College obligations in the areas of Service to Students, Service to the College, and Curriculum Management. During Fall and Spring Semesters, the College expects instructional full-time faculty to be on campus (including instructional, clinical, or practicum sites) 5 days per week.

Service to College: All full time Faculty are required to serve on standing committees of the College in order to carry out the various academic related functions of the College as outlined in the Faculty Bylaws. Faculty may also be called upon to participate in various other committees, workgroups, and task forces as needed.

Faculty are expected to participate in the Faculty Convocation at the beginning of each semester. Faculty should receive prior authorization from the Chief Academic Officer to be excused from Convocation and authorization from their direct supervisor to be excused from any of the week’s proceedings.

In order to address the academic and other associated business of the College as it relates to the Academic Units, all faculty are required to attend faculty meetings unless specifically excused. In the event a faculty member will not be in attendance, the faculty shall notify their Department Chair and the Office of the Chief Academic Officer.

Service to Students: College faculty serve a vital role in providing academic guidance and preparation to students. In this capacity, faculty should engage in and monitor, student academic planning through the Student Planning/Advising portal of myTRCC. Faculty should actively encourage students to participate in this process by collaborating with the students to create manageable academic plans and providing assistance until completion of the plan. Faculty should stay current with curriculum changes as well as Three Rivers College and other best-practices for advising students by utilizing the Academic Advisor Checklist and the Advising Manual located on the College Employee Gateway.

Faculty assist with student registration and are informed prior to Convocation week regarding registration schedules and are encouraged to work with the Chief Academic Officer and their direct supervisor to accommodate scheduling.

Curriculum Management: Curriculum management is a necessary and critical component of the faculty. Faculty will submit curriculum changes through the approved curricular process of the college. Faculty are responsible for submitting the proper curriculum forms, data and documentation outlined on each of the specific curriculum forms and in the curriculum process.

All curriculum changes shall be approved prior to implementation.

Course Load: Full-time faculty are required to teach a full load of 15 credit hours or comparable contact hours in the fall and spring semesters unless otherwise specified through release time, other assigned duties such as certain Program Coordinators, or required teaching loads as defined by external accrediting agencies. Full-time faculty members may be required to teach during the evening or on weekends and at instructional sites other than the main campus.

Faculty are to teach to the course rationale of their assigned courses, meet class as regularly scheduled, use appropriate methods of assessing student work, keep regular attendance as defined in IP 6310 and IR 6310, respond to student communications within 24 hours Monday through Friday and within 48 on weekends, post and keep regular office hours, and prepare, maintain, and update syllabi and course materials.

Faculty will provide instruction and create learning environments consistent with the mission of the College and in accordance with the established course rationale/description and the course and programmatic Student Learning Outcomes.

Faculty shall acquaint all students with the course requirements during the first class meeting and provide each student with periodic evaluations of his/her progress.

Specific faculty workload requirements for those faculty teaching in career programs whose programmatic handbooks have additional workload requirements shall rule as the workload for those faculty except in cases where the programmatic workload outlined in said handbook is less than those workload requirements contained herein.

Course Overload: Faculty may teach a maximum of ten (10) hours beyond their required teaching load during the fall and spring semesters. Faculty are permitted to teach a maximum of six (6) credit hours during a summer session, not to exceed twelve (12) credit hours total for the summer term. Faculty are permitted to teach a maximum of six (6) hours during the winter session. In special circumstances, faculty may be approved to teach more than the maximum above by the Chief Academic Officer.

Overload courses are not guaranteed for full-time faculty members. Overload courses are assigned by the department chair with approval of the Chief Academic Officer.

Office Hours: Each member of the faculty is required to post and maintain ten (10) approved office hours per week. Office hours must be scheduled at a time convenient for students and must be scheduled in increments of no fewer than 30 minutes in length. Office hours, except virtual office hours, may only be scheduled during times when the college is open, but should not be scheduled during the common hour.

With permission of the Department Chair, faculty teaching courses as part of their regular full-time load, where the contact hours of the course are greater than the credit hour of the course may reduce the required number of office hours to a minimum of 7 hours as long as total teaching and office contact hours are no less than 25.

Faculty teaching summer classes shall maintain availability for their students. Faculty shall respond to students within 24 hours and set specific appointments as needed.

All faculty may schedule one (1) virtual office hour every semester. Faculty providing instruction through a distance learning modality (online and/or through Interactive Television (ITV)), may utilize one (1) hour of virtual office hours for each distance learning course up to three (3) hours per semester. During scheduled virtual office hours, faculty will devote his/her full attention to responding and are immediately available via email, chat, skype, or phone.

DOCUMENT HISTORY:

04-19-2017:

Initial approval of IR 6720 Faculty Workload.

IR 6730 Faculty Bylaws

Section: 6000 Instruction
Sub Section: 6700 Faculty
Title: IR 6730 Faculty Bylaws
Primary Policy: IP 6710 Faculty Rights and Responsibilities
Associated Policies: GAP 1140 Institutional Effectiveness
Associated Regulations: GAR 1110 Policy and Regulation Development
References: NA
Addendum: “Faculty Bylaws”
Supersedes: NA
Responsible Administrator: Chief Academic Officer
Initial Approval: 04-19-2017	Last Revision: 10-15-2025

The Three Rivers College Faculty (subject to the approval of the President and Board of Trustees) shall make rules and regulations for its governance and procedures and for that of the students; provided such committees as may be required; prescribe rules regarding admissions, dismissal, discipline, scholarships, classes, courses of study, and requirements for graduation; and make such other rules as may be necessary or proper for the maintenance of high educational standards and student success. The Faculty shall prescribe rules for governing student publications, musical, dramatic, and literary clubs, and all other aspects of student life which relate to the educational process. The Faculty may also make recommendations concerning academic policies and regulations governing the aforementioned affairs of the College.

The Faculty shall consider any matter referred to it by the President, the Chief Academic Officer, the committees of the faculty, or any member or members jointly of the Faculty.

Each motion approved by the Faculty that would impact changes on matters within the Faculty's jurisdiction shall be communicated as a recommendation to the College President. The President shall have the right to veto any recommendation of the Faculty. Such action is to be communicated to the Faculty at the time of the decision and announced at the next faculty meeting. By a two-thirds majority vote of those present and voting at its first meeting following formal communication of a veto, the Faculty may request, with stated reasons, presidential reconsideration of the veto.

DOCUMENT HISTORY:

04-19-2017:		Initial approval of IR 6730 Faculty Bylaws.
11-20-2020:		Edits for clarification regarding the following: Article III Officers, SEC C. chairs as advisors and orderly proceedings, inclusion of actions reported following the committee meeting at the next regular faculty meeting; Article VI Committees of the Faculty, Section A. Responsibilities and Composition of Committees Section, SEC A 6. student members of committees are elected by the Office of Student Services; Section B. Standing Committees of the Faculty, SEC B 8. Student Learning Improvement Committee, committee members now evenly divided to better represent and focus on the assessment of College career programs and general education. Greatest numbers of Faculty shall represent the disciplines in those subject areas with one member represented from the other whenever possible.
10-15-2025:		Edits for clarification regarding the following: Article II Membership removal of librarians; Article IV Duties and Jurisdiction, SEC B. removal of the word “jointly”; Article VI Committees of the Faculty, SEC B Standing Committees of the Faculty, SEC B 3. Student Learning Improvement Committee, moved up from previous location, there will now be 10 committee members divided equally between career education and transfer. SEC B 4. Faculty Welfare, Evaluation, and Development Committee, moved down from previous location; under [Mission], word “TRC” in the last sentence replaced with the word “the”; percentage of faculty changed from 16% to 33% with Student Learning Improvement Committee added as a group of faculty not counted as remaining for the percentage calculation; SEC B 5. Student Advisement and Retention, percentage of faculty changed from 16% to 33% with Student Learning Improvement Committee added as a group of faculty not counted as remaining for the percentage calculation; SEC B 6. Learning Resources Committee moved up from previous location, percentage of faculty changed from 16% to 33% with Student Learning Improvement Committee added as a group of faculty not counted as remaining for the percentage calculation; Academic Policy, Regulations, and Procedures Committee removed from section and will no longer be a standing committee; SEC B 7. Student Standing Committee, faculty will be assigned on a rotating basis as needed; Article VIII Implementation removal of “administrative” and replaced with “policies and/or”.

Three Rivers College

Bylaws of the Faculty

Article I: Name

Article II: Membership

Article III: Offices

Article IV: Duties and Jurisdiction

Article V: Meetings and Procedures

Article VI: Committees of the Faculty

Article VII: Academic Unit Faculties

Article VIII: Implementation

Article IX: Amendment or Repeal of Bylaws

ARTICLE I. NAME

The name of the body constituted in these bylaws shall be the Faculty of Three Rivers College (hereinafter referred to as the Faculty).

ARTICLE II. MEMBERSHIP

The membership of the Faculty shall consist of executive officers of the college, the registrar, full-time faculty members, members of the coaching staff who hold appointments split between classroom instruction and coaching duties, and other personnel designated by the president as holding faculty status. Executive officers of the college and the registrar shall not have the right of vote at meetings of the Faculty, except in cases of a tie when the presiding officer shall cast the tie-breaking vote.

ARTICLE III. OFFICERS

SECTION A. The presiding officer of the Faculty shall be the president of the college. In the event the president does not preside, the order of succession of the presiding officer shall be the chief academic officer, the vice chair of the Executive Committee, followed by the other members of the Executive Committee by descending order of seniority as Faculty of the college.

SECTION B. A person designated by the president shall keep accurate records of all meetings and actions of the Faculty and upon Faculty direction shall formally transmit all motions passed or actions taken to the persons or bodies concerned.

SECTION C. The chair shall advise as to appropriate procedure and assist in maintaining appropriate and orderly proceedings.

ARTICLE IV. DUTIES AND JURISDICTION

SECTION A. The Faculty (subject to the approval of the president and board of trustees) shall make rules and regulations for its governance and procedure and for that of the students; provide such committees as may be required; prescribe rules regarding admissions, dismissal, discipline, scholarship, classes, courses of study, and requirements for graduation; and make such other rules as may be necessary or proper for the maintenance of high educational standards and student success. The Faculty shall prescribe rules for governing student publications, musical, dramatic and literary clubs, and all other aspects of student life which relate to the educational process. The Faculty may also make recommendations concerning academic policies and regulations governing the aforementioned affairs of the college.

SECTION B. The Faculty shall consider any matter referred to it by the president, the chief academic officer, the committees of the faculty, or any member or members of the Faculty.

SECTION C. Each motion approved by the Faculty that would impact changes on matters within the Faculty's jurisdiction shall be communicated as a recommendation to the president. The president shall have the right to veto any recommendation of the Faculty. Such action is to be communicated to the Faculty at the time of the decision and announced at the next faculty meeting. By a two-thirds majority vote of those present and voting at its first meeting following formal communication of a veto, the Faculty may request, with stated reasons, presidential reconsideration of the veto.

ARTICLE V. MEETINGS AND PROCEDURES

SECTION A. The most current edition of Robert's Rules of Order shall govern the conduct of the Faculty's meetings, except as otherwise provided in these bylaws.

SECTION B. Regular meetings of the Faculty shall convene after the fall convocation each year, normally in August, as scheduled by the president, and monthly, September through April.

SECTION C. Special meetings may be called by the president, the chief academic officer, the Executive Committee, or by petition of one-fourth of the Faculty, presented in writing to the president, who will convene a meeting within three school days of receipt of the petition. Unless a matter requires action by the Faculty during the summer session, it shall be deferred to the fall semester session when the full faculty may consider it.

SECTION D. Notice shall be sent to each faculty member prior to any convened meeting. This notice shall contain the agenda for the meeting, minutes from any committee meeting, and such other information as may be appropriate for advance study by the Faculty.

SECTION E. The order of business for each meeting shall be as follows:

1. Approval of the minutes of the previous meeting;

2. Report of the presiding officer;

3. Old/Unfinished business;

4. Reports of committees of the Faculty and consideration of related business;

5. New business; and

6. Announcements.

SECTION F. New business intended for discussion by the Faculty may be presented in writing to the president or to the appropriate committee, and members of the Faculty shall have the right to present proposals from the floor.

SECTION G. No business shall be conducted at any meeting of the Faculty unless a quorum is present. A majority of the Faculty, as defined by Article II, shall constitute a quorum.

SECTION H. Voting at all meetings of the Faculty shall be by voice, by show of hands, or by ballot, as decided by the presiding officer. It shall be in order, however, to move for a vote by any of the aforementioned methods. Voting may not be done in absentia or by proxy.

SECTION I. The president, the chief academic officer, or the Faculty, by vote, may designate persons not defined as members of the Faculty in Article II of the bylaws who shall have the privilege of discussion at meetings of the Faculty but not the privilege of voting.

ARTICLE VI. COMMITTEES OF THE FACULTY

SECTION A. RESPONSIBILITIES AND COMPOSITION OF COMMITTEES SECTION

SECTION A.1. Committees of the Faculty shall make recommendations to the

Faculty concerning matters within the Faculty's jurisdiction consistent with Article

IV of these Bylaws. Only by authority delegated by these bylaws shall committees make recommendations to administrative officers and otherwise advise and assist officers in the name of the Faculty. Any decision made by such officers contrary to committee recommendations will be reported immediately and in writing by the officer concerned to the chair of the appropriate committee. The Executive Committee and the college curriculum committee of the Faculty are empowered by this article to "act for the faculty" on certain specified matters. Such actions shall always be in the form of recommendations made to the president in the name of the Faculty. Each such action must be reported to the Faculty at its first meeting following the committee meeting at which the action was taken; any such action not so reported is null and void. No such committee action shall become effective until such a report has been made and until the day after the next regularly scheduled meeting of the Faculty or 10 working days, whichever is greater. Any such action is subject to annulment by the Faculty (by a majority of those present and voting) at any time prior to its date of effectiveness, which shall not be prior to the next scheduled faculty meeting.

SECTION A.2. Committees may receive matters referred to them by individual faculty members, the Faculty, the Executive Committee, or administrative officers of the college. Committees may also initiate recommendations consistent with their bylaw descriptions. They shall consult with the appropriate administrative officers before making recommendations and may invite anyone from the Faculty or administration to participate in discussions in which he or she has a particular concern. Any information utilized by a committee in its deliberations which concerns college Faculty, students, or employees must be held in confidence by committee members.

SECTION A.3. Committees shall submit reports from the floor at regular meetings of the Faculty and shall submit annual reports in writing to the Faculty in April. Committee reports shall give special attention to exceptions to standing policies and regulations, to actions of administrative officers, and to the substance of both previous and pending business and activities. Committee reports which include any recommended change in academic policy, regulations or procedures shall be circulated in writing to the Faculty and the president with the agenda for the meeting at which the report is to be presented.

SECTION A.4. Faculty members of committees shall be approved by the Faculty. Except as otherwise provided in these bylaws, Faculty will be selected for committee service, except the college curriculum committee and the Executive Committee, as outlined below.

Prior to the final meeting of the Faculty in April, a list of all committee vacancies for the next academic year shall be sent to each faculty member eligible for committee appointment.
Eligible faculty include new faculty hires and any faculty vacating a committee.
It will be the responsibility of the eligible faculty member to communicate his/her committee preference as directed.
Directions for communicating committee preference will be provided with the committee vacancy list.
Failure to respond will result in placement on a committee by the Chief Academic Officer. All faculty will serve on a committee.
The final roster of faculty selections will be presented to the Faculty for ratification.

SECTION A.5. Guidelines for committee membership, other than the Executive

Committee and the college curriculum committee, are as follows:

a. Each committee should have at least one faculty member carried over from the previous year and at least one new member except when a new committee is established. In that case, half of the membership should have one calendar year terms, and half should have two calendar year terms.

b. Except as otherwise specified in the committee descriptions given in these bylaws, each term of service shall be for a two calendar year term of service commencing July 1^st of that year.

c. Except as otherwise authorized in the committee descriptions given in these bylaws, no person shall serve for a term of membership on a committee that would cause the tenure of consecutive years of service as a member of that committee to exceed four years.

d. To the extent permitted by the provisions of the committee descriptions given in these bylaws, each committee's members should, collectively, reasonably reflect the diversity of the Faculty. When at all possible, no more than two members of the same academic discipline shall serve simultaneously on the same committee.

e. In general, faculty members should not serve as members of more than one standing committee of the Faculty simultaneously.

SECTION A.6. Student members of committees shall be elected by the Office of Student Services and shall be voting members unless otherwise provided in these bylaws.

SECTION A.7. Any other members of committees shall be selected and given voting privileges as provided by these bylaws.

SECTION A.8. The Chief Academic Officer will appoint a convener for each committee for which a chair is not designated by bylaw. The convener shall, within one week of the designation as convener, call the first meeting of the committee with the first order of business being the election of a chair. The chair of each committee must be a member of the Faculty as defined in Article II hereof and shall be elected from the voting membership of the committee by a simple majority. Any other officers of a committee shall be appointed as provided in bylaws or, in the absence of such provision, as deemed desirable by the committee.

SECTION A.9. All committees must operate within the bounds of the associated sunshine laws of the state of Missouri. As such, all meeting times must be announced, and all meetings shall remain open to the public.

SECTION A.10. Members of the Faculty with an interest in the workings of a committee are encouraged to attend. All members of the Faculty, with the permission of the committee chair, shall be allowed to participate in committee proceedings but shall not be allowed voting rights.

SECTION B. STANDING COMMITTEES OF THE FACULTY

SECTION B.1. Executive Committee

a. Membership

(1) The Executive Committee of the Faculty shall consist of the chief academic officer as chair and eight other members of the voting faculty to include one member from each academic unit and “at large” members as necessary elected from within the faculty. If the number of academic units is four or fewer, then two members from each academic unit should be selected for the committee. Faculty terms are to be two years starting July 1 of the year elected and ending June 30 two years hence. No more than two members from any academic discipline may serve at one time on the committee. Members of the Faculty are not eligible to serve during the first year of Faculty membership. Committee members are not eligible to succeed themselves.

(2) Prior to the February Faculty meeting, the chief academic officer shall solicit faculty members from each academic unit to fill vacating academic unit positions on the committee. Faculty within the eligible academic unit(s) shall elect their academic unit representative to serve on the committee. To fill the “at large” vacancies on the committee, at least one nominee shall be solicited from each of the academic units that have eligible faculty.

(3) The election of the “at large” members of the committee whose term will begin July 1 of that year shall begin with the February faculty meeting and shall be continued, if necessary, from a ballot prepared by the chief academic officer. The balloting shall take place in accordance with the following procedure:

(a) Each faculty member shall cast no more than the same number of votes as there are vacancies.

(b) The candidate who receives a majority of votes cast in the election shall be elected to the committee.

(c) A special election shall be held to fill any at large vacancy of an unexpired term of the Executive Committee at the first faculty meeting following the vacancy. The Faculty shall vote from a ballot containing nominations sensitive to the vacancy being filled; the chief academic officer shall solicit nominations and prepare the ballot.

(d) The entire annual nomination and election process shall be completed prior to April 30 following the February meeting of the Faculty at which it begins. Under unusual circumstances, the chief academic officer may call for a May meeting to complete the election process.

b. Officers

Officers of the Executive Committee include the chief academic officer as chair and then both a vice-chair and vice-chair elect where the vice-chair elect is in his/her first year of the term. At the conclusion of the last meeting of the academic year, the vice-chair elect will assume the duties of the vice-chair and the new committee shall elect a vice-chair elect by private ballot. The chief academic officer shall ensure that accurate records of meetings and actions are kept and that copies of the agenda and minutes are distributed to the committee. The vice-chair and the vice-chair elect shall at the invitation of the president attend the meetings of the president's cabinet, shall at the invitation of the chief academic officer attend the meetings of the academic leadership team and at the invitation of the chief student officer attend meetings of the student services leadership team. At any meeting where representation from the executive committee is requested, both the vice-chair and vice-chair elect shall attend and will serve as representatives of the faculty.

c. Meetings

The Executive Committee shall hold monthly meetings preceding a regularly scheduled faculty meeting. Special meetings of the committee may be called by the chief academic officer, the president, or a majority of the members of the committee. A faculty member may make a request to the chair for a special meeting. Two-thirds of the membership of the committee shall constitute a quorum.

d. Functions

(1) The Executive Committee may receive, study, or initiate any proposal and recommend to the faculty action upon it.

(a) The Executive Committee shall refer each proposal received, regardless of where initiated, to the appropriate standing committee of the Faculty for study and recommendation, provided there is a standing committee charged with issues of that type.

(b) The Executive Committee shall receive the recommendations of the standing committee prior to acting upon the proposal.

(c) The Executive Committee shall notify the standing committee chair if the proposal and recommendation are to be acted upon by the Executive Committee.

(d) The Executive Committee may recommend to the Faculty action on the proposal and recommendation and, if such is the case, shall summarize for the Faculty any significant changes made to the committee recommendations.

(e) The Executive Committee may recommend to the Faculty action on a proposal without referring the proposal to a standing committee on questions that unavoidably require immediate action.

(2) The committee shall act on behalf of the Faculty on questions that need immediate attention between meetings of the Faculty and shall submit such decisions to the Faculty at its next regular meeting for information, consideration, and any action desired by the Faculty.

(3) The Executive Committee may recommend to the Faculty changes in the membership of the standing committees in the event of one or more of the following circumstances:

(a) Resignation of a member;

(b) Recommendation by a majority of the committee to the vice chair of the Executive Committee.

(4) The committee may make recommendations to the Faculty concerning changes in statutes, bylaws, and other academic policies and regulations approved by the Faculty.

(5) Reports of the committee shall be made by the vice chair at Faculty meetings.

(6) The committee chair in consultation with the committee shall assemble the agenda for the Faculty meetings.

SECTION B.2. College Curriculum Committee

a. Membership

(1) The college curriculum committee shall consist of the chief academic officer as chair and eight other members of the voting faculty to include one member from each academic unit and “at large” members as necessary elected from within the faculty. If the number of academic units is four or fewer, then two members from each academic unit should be selected for the committee. Faculty terms are to be two years starting July 1 of the year elected and ending June 30 two years hence.No more than two members from any academic discipline may serve at one time on the committee. Members of the Faculty are not eligible to serve during the first year of Faculty membership. Committee members are not eligible to succeed themselves.

(a) Each faculty member shall cast no more than the same number of votes as there are vacancies.

(b) The candidate who receives a majority of votes cast in the election shall be elected to the committee.

(c) A special election shall be held to fill any at large vacancy of an unexpired term of the Curriculum Committee at the first faculty meeting following the vacancy. The Faculty shall vote from a ballot containing nominations sensitive to the vacancy being filled; the chief academic officer shall solicit nominations and prepare the ballot.

b. Officers

The chief academic officer shall be chair of the Curriculum Committee. At the beginning of the first meeting of the academic year, the committee shall elect a vice chair. Reports of the committee shall be made at faculty meetings.

c. Meetings

When curricular actions are needed, the committee shall meet in September, October, November, January, February, March, and April. Special meetings may be scheduled as the need arises.

d. Functions

This committee shall recommend to the Faculty general curricular rules affecting the academic programs offered by the college (e.g., core curriculum, exit examinations, and so on). The committee shall consider all proposals for new programs, program changes, and any other global curricular changes that affect the learning environment and make its recommendations to the Faculty for action. The committee shall review all proposed curricular actions and shall be the organization of the college to which any academic unit may make recommendations concerning curricular matters.

The committee shall act for the Faculty on any routine curricular matters (e.g., changes in course numbers, changes in course descriptions, and so on) which have been referred to it by the Faculty or by an academic unit. In exercising this latter function for the Faculty, the committee shall declare such matters as "routine" by a three-fourths majority vote of members present and voting.

SECTION B.3. Student Learning Improvement Committee

[Mission] The Student Learning Improvement Committee provides review and feedback on the student learning outcomes process under the leadership of the Chief Academic Officer in concert with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness.

[Duties] The committee shall coordinate and promote student learning outcomes assessment for the purpose of improving learning of specific programs, college wide outcomes, and the curriculum as a whole to ensure that these activities are used to improve learning and to provide feedback to faculty on ways to improve student learning and increase student success. The committee serves as a peer panel to review and provide feedback on assessment results and learning improvement initiatives.

[Meeting and Reporting] The committee shall meet regularly each semester and shall make recommendations to the Executive Committee. The committee shall report to the faculty at least annually. The committee shall be divided into two sub-committees, one for career program assessment and one for college wide outcomes assessment. The sub-committee for career program assessment shall have at least one academic transfer member. The sub-committee for college wide outcomes assessment shall have at least one career program member.

[Membership] The chief academic officer shall serve as the committee chair and the committee shall have 10 members of the faculty not serving on executive committee or curriculum committee, with one half of the representatives from career education and one half of the representatives from academic transfer. In cases when the total membership of the committee cannot be evenly divided, the last member may be from either career education or academic transfer. The following shall serve as ex officio nonvoting members: Institutional Effectiveness representative and the academic unit chairs.

SECTION B.4. Faculty Welfare, Evaluation, and Development Committee

[Mission] The mission of the faculty welfare, evaluation, and development committee is to study and recommend ways by which the intellectual and professional life and growth of the Faculty may be enhanced as well as ways to develop a sense of faculty community through intellectual, social, and aesthetic activities. It proposes rules and programs for faculty development and evaluation. It also investigates and makes recommendations concerning faculty welfare matters. It recommends awards of any internal teaching and learning grants for faculty; sponsors and co-sponsors workshops or forums on teaching methods and on strategies for understanding, assessing, and facilitating student learning; and proposes, initiates, and promotes other activities and services that provide a supportive environment for the professional growth and development of the Faculty.

[Duties] The committee shall promote various faculty enrichment activities and/or resources and shall advise how best to foster a sense of faculty community via enrichment concerns and activities and/or resources. They shall also provide input on the development, administration, analysis of the evaluation system which includes the faculty engagement process and the faculty rank and promotion system.

[Meeting and Reporting] The committee shall meet regularly each semester and shall report and make recommendations to the Executive Committee.

[Membership] The committee will be chaired by one of the Academic Unit Chairpersons and have 33% of the faculty not serving on executive committee, curriculum committee, and student learning improvement committee, to include at least one faculty representative from each academic unit. In addition, the chief academic officer or his or her designee shall serve as an ex officio, nonvoting member.

SECTION B.5. Student Advisement and Retention

[Mission] The mission of the committee on student advisement and retention is to enhance the academic advising and retention processes for students and help develop a campus-wide awareness of the role each administrator, faculty, and staff member plays in the retention and academic success of students.

[Duties] The committee shall review and evaluate advisement and retention goals, objectives, and procedures; review both current and proposed rules concerning advisement and retention and recommend changes to the Faculty; identify needs for advisement to enhance retention; and develop, assess, and help to keep both the advising plan/manual and retention plan current.

[Meeting and Reporting] The committee shall meet regularly each semester and shall report and make recommendations to the Executive Committee.

[Membership] The committee will be chaired by one of the Academic Unit Chairpersons and have 33% of the faculty not serving on executive committee, curriculum committee, and student learning improvement committee, including at least two representatives from career education and two representatives from academic transfer. The committee will also consist of the following ex officio, non-voting members: Chief Academic Officer, Chief Student Officers, and the Director of Enrollment.

SECTION B.6. Learning Resources Committee

[Mission] The learning resources committee shall make recommendations to the Faculty concerning the learning resources units of the college and shall act in an advisory capacity to the appropriate college administrators. Learning resources shall also include online course management systems and other distance learning resources/tools.

[Duties] The committee shall assist in the creation and improvement of learning resources. Learning Resources shall include but not be limited to library resources, ADA resources, tutoring, learning technologies, and the online learning management system. It shall help promote learning resources-related communication throughout the college.

[Meeting and Reporting] The committee shall meet regularly each semester and shall make recommendations to the Executive Committee.

[Membership] The committee will be chaired by one of the Academic Unit Chairpersons and have two students, 33% of the faculty not serving on executive committee, curriculum committee, and student learning improvement committee, including at least two faculty members from career education and two faculty members from academic transfer. The following shall serve as nonvoting, ex officio members: the director of libraries, computer services representative, Distance Learning representative, Tutoring & Learning Center representative, College Store representative and the Coordinator of Disability Services.

SECTION B.7. Student Standing Committee

[Mission] The Student Standing Committee reviews student standing regarding admission, readmission, student progress, graduation, and other student academic matters, and serves as a body of faculty to serve on appeals committees as outlined in SP2140 and SR2140.

[Duties] Members of the committee shall also serve as faculty representatives on the college committees which complete initial reviews of student standing regarding admissions, readmissions, admissions by those students who have a felony conviction, financial issues, financial aid issues and on panels adjudicating appeals by students as outlined in SP2140 and SR 2140. No member of the committee serving on the committee that made the initial decision which is being appealed shall be eligible to serve as a member of the appeal panel.

[Meeting and Reporting] The committee shall meet regularly each semester and shall report annually the results of its review to the Executive Committee.

[Membership] The chair shall be the chief student services officer or the chief academic officer, who will assign committee members to serve on the various student standing committees on a rotating basis, as such committees have need to meet. Membership shall be drawn from the faculty as needed, and the following ex officio, nonvoting members: Chief Academic Officer, Chief Student Services Officer, Chief Financial Officer, the Registrar, Director of Financial Aid, and Director of Housing.

SECTION C. Ad Hoc Committees of the Faculty

When no standing committee has a mission that encompasses a specific task, the Faculty, in consultation with the president, may create such ad hoc committees as it deems necessary. The tenure of such committees shall be limited to one year. Every effort should be made to incorporate new tasks into one of the standing committees of the faculty.

ARTICLE VII. ACADEMIC UNIT FACULTIES

Full-time faculty members holding academic appointments in the academic units shall constitute the Faculty of that academic unit. Each academic unit faculty is authorized by this article to organize as a deliberative assembly, with or without committees, for the purpose of making recommendations to the college Faculty through an appropriate committee of the college Faculty on matters within the Faculty's jurisdiction.

ARTICLE VIII. IMPLEMENTATION

Provisions recommended by the Faculty and approved by the president for the implementation of certain statutes or bylaws shall be included in the policies and/or regulations of the college as appropriate.

ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENT OR REPEAL OF BYLAWS

Proposals for change or repeal of any bylaws shall be submitted in writing to all members at least five days before the regular meeting of the Faculty at which they will be proposed. The proposal shall contain the exact wording of the amendment and an indication of its place in the bylaws. The proposed amendment shall be voted on at the next regular faculty meeting and must carry by a three-fifths vote of the members present and voting provided a quorum is present.

Revised August 15, 2025

IR 6740 Faculty Rank and Promotion

Section: 6000 Instruction
Sub Section: 6700 Faculty
Title: IR 6740 Faculty Rank and Promotion
Primary Policy: IP 6710 Faculty Rights and Responsibilities
Associated Policies: NA
Associated Regulations: IR 6715 Faculty Evaluation and Engagement
References: NA
Supersedes: NA
Responsible Administrator: Chief Academic Officer
Initial Approval: 04-19-2017	Last Revision:

Three Rivers College has established promotion-in-rank to provide eligible faculty with academic rank as an acknowledgement for quality teaching and service to the College. The following regulation is established to enable faculty who have met the established criteria to be recommended for promotion.

Eligibility and Special Conditions

Any member of the corps of instruction is eligible.

Those employees who hold faculty status but who are not a member of the corps of instruction are not eligible to participate in the promotion system and may not hold an academic rank.

The director of libraries or any librarian whose minimum qualifications for hire is the Master of Library Science shall be eligible to participate in the rank and promotion system. Their participation will require participation in the faculty engagement and evaluation system at the same level as coaching staff. No salary adjustments shall be made for such changes in rank.

Academic officers of the college shall be eligible to hold rank and shall be able to participate in the promotion system while serving as an academic officer. However, no promotion while serving as an academic officer shall result in a change in salary.

Once eligibility for promotion has been achieved the faculty member may apply for promotion in that year or any subsequent year until promotion is achieved.

Participation in the promotion system is voluntary.

An applicant may withdraw the application for promotion at any time.

Years in which a faculty member has been under a Performance Improvement Plan may not be counted as years of service for promotion.

Ranks

The ranks of the faculty will be Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, and Professor.

Faculty will accumulate points based on level of engagement, years of experience, and education. These points will allow the faculty member to be eligible to apply for promotion. The promotion application may be submitted in the year the faculty member plans to meet the eligibility requirements for the next rank and meets the other requirements set forth herein.

Points

The minimum cumulative points required for each rank are as follows:

Instructor: ....................................0

Assistant Professor: ................200

Associate Professor: ...............400

Professor: ......................................600

New Faculty

New faculty will enter Three Rivers College at the level of Instructor. At the time of initial appointment, faculty who have held an academic rank at another institution may negotiate the appointment at a higher rank than instructor with no change in initial salary. Points will be earned yearly according to the following table:

Engagement Level	Points Accrued
Engaged	15
Well Engaged	30
Highly Engaged	50

Specific issues may arise in the placing of new faculty, which do not fall neatly into certain categories. Such questions shall be discussed by the Chief Academic Officer and the faculty member in an attempt to reach an agreement. All final recommendations to the college president shall be made by the Chief Academic Officer regarding the initial setting of rank.

Promotion Criteria

The following minimum criteria must be met for faculty to be eligible to apply for promotion to the next rank:

Accrued the minimum total points as follows:
Instructor: .........................0

Assistant Professor: ......200

Associate Professor:.....400

Professor: ..........................600

Note: Points accumulated never reset.
Held their current rank for a minimum of four years as a regular, full-time faculty member who serves in the corps of instruction. Faculty seeking to apply for promotion may apply during their fourth year with the intention that the promotion take place at the start of their fifth year. Changes in rank may only occur in conjunction with the start of the fiscal year of the college (July 1) and at no time may take place prior to the completion of the fourth year of regular, full-time employment as a faculty member. For those faculty employed at the start of an academic year, this shall mean that they may apply during their fourth year of employment with the promotion becoming effective on July 1 of the fiscal year following their fourth full academic year of employment. For faculty hired at a time other than the start of an academic year (most commonly in January) application for promotion may be submitted during the fourth year of employment, but the associated promotion may not be made effective until the start of the fiscal year after the completion of the fourth year of regular full-time employment.
Be a regular, full-time faculty member who serves in the corps of instruction.
Be an employee in good standing.

Retired Faculty

Upon retirement, a faculty member may request emeritus status at the last rank held to the Chief Academic Officer. The emeritus status shall be placed before the faculty for vote and if passed, submitted as a recommendation to the president.

Promotion Procedure:

1—By December 31 during or after the year in which the candidate meets the eligibility requirements outlined herein, the candidate submits a Faculty Promotion in Rank form to the respective Chair.

2—By February 15 of the following year, the chair reviews the eligibility of the candidate, signs the form, and submits it to the Chief Academic Officer for signatures.

3—The office of the Chief Academic Officer shall submit to the President those individuals to be recommended for promotion by March 15.

4— A one-time stipend of not less than $1,000.00 shall be placed in the budget for those individuals who have been recommended for approval.

DOCUMENT HISTORY:

04-19-2017:

Initial approval of IR 6740 Rank and Promotion.

IR 6750 Intellectual Property

Section: 6000 Instruction
Sub Section: 6700 Faculty
Title: IR 6750 Intellectual Property
Primary Policy: IP 6710 Faculty Rights and Responsibilities
Associated Policies: GAP 1160 Institutional Review Board
Associated Regulations: ITR 8100 Acceptable Use; GAR 1160 Institutional Review Board
References: United States Copyright Act; United States Patent Law
Supersedes: NA
Responsible Administrator: Chief Academic Officer
Initial Approval: 06-21-2017	Last Revision:

Three Rivers College recognizes the need for and desirability of encouraging the broad utilization of the results of academic scholarship and that such scholarship should be encouraged without regard to potential gain from licensing fees, royalties, or other income. The college also acknowledges that intellectual properties and discoveries may arise from the activities of faculty, staff, and students in the course of their duties or through the use, by any person, of institutional resources including but not limited to facilities, equipment, or funds.

This policy is intended to provide adequate recognition and incentive to creators and, at the same time, ensure that the college will share in the rights pertaining to intellectual properties in which the college has invested equity. The college is committed to assisting faculty, staff, and other researchers in properly disclosing their scholarly work, in complying with applicable laws and formal agreements, and in gaining the protection available under federal laws governing patents, copyrights, trademarks, and other appropriate provisions.

Definitions

Intellectual Property: Inventions, discoveries, know-how, show-how, processes, unique materials, copyrightable works, original data, and other creative or artistic works that have value. Intellectual property includes that which is protectable by statute or legislation, such as patents, copyrights, trademarks, service marks, trade secrets, mask works, and plant variety protection certificates. It also includes the physical embodiments of intellectual effort, for example, models, machines, devices, designs, apparatus, instrumentation, circuits, computer programs and visualizations, biological materials, chemicals, other compositions of matter, plants, and records of research.

Traditional Academic Copyrightable Works: A subset of copyrightable works created independently and at the creator’s initiative for traditional academic purposes. Examples include class notes; books, theses and dissertations; articles; non-fiction, fiction, and poems; musical works; dramatic works including any accompanying music; pantomimes and choreographic works; pictorial, graphic, and sculptural works; or other works of artistic imagination not created as an institutional initiative.

Creator: An individual or group of individuals who make, conceive, reduce to practice, author, or otherwise make a substantive intellectual contribution to the creation of intellectual property. “Creator” shall include, but not be limited to, faculty, professional staff, administrative and support staff, and students. “Creator” shall also include the definition of “inventor” as used in the United States patent law and the definition of “author” as used in the United States Copyright Act.

Institutional Resources Usually and Customarily Provided: Include such support as office space, library facilities, ordinary access to computers and networks, or salary and shall be described in this policy as either “incidental” or “significant.” The phrase does not include use of students or employees as support staff to develop the work, or substantial use of specialized or unique facilities and equipment, or other special subventions provided by the College unless approved as an exception.

Technical Works: Include intellectual properties of a scientific, engineering, or technical nature such as patentable or un-patentable inventions (including biological materials), computer software, and institution collections.

Scholarly Works: Include all intellectual properties not covered in Technical Works of an artistic, scholarly, instructional, or entertainment nature.

Computer Software: Includes one or more computer programs existing in any form or any associated operational procedures, manuals, or other documentation, whether protectable or protected by patent or copyright.

Rights to Ownership/Disclosures

Three Rivers College has ownership of all intellectual property created:

by an employee within the scope of his or her employment, or

by an employee hired or commissioned to create a specific work, or
when more than incidental use of institutional resources usually and customarily provided occurs, or

when the intellectual property results from research supported by federal funds or third-party sponsorship

The college does not assert ownership of intellectual property unrelated to job responsibilities and where only incidental use of institutional resources usually and customarily provided has occurred. Nor does the College assert ownership of traditional academic copyrightable works. Three Rivers College has the right to recover costs and/or right to use the work. Joint ownership may occur under certain circumstances such as when scholarly works involve the services of other college employees (e.g., development of multi-media courseware, etc.)

Principles

The college may assert ownership in intellectual property of all types (including, but not limited to, any invention, discovery, trade secret, technology, scientific or technological development, and computer software) regardless of whether the property is subject to protection under patent, trademark, copyright, or other laws, except as stipulated herein.

The college may assert their interest in intellectual property related to the creator’s academic or professional field, regardless of the medium of expression. If the study involves human subjects the creator shall follow the College’s IRB process for disclosure and approval.

The college has ownership of all intellectual property created by persons under the conditions stated below:

if intellectual property is created by an employee within the specific scope of employment; or
if intellectual property is created with the use of College facilities or resources usually and customarily provided; or
if intellectual property is commissioned by the College pursuant to a signed contract or agreement; or
if intellectual property is created by a person who was hired specifically or is required as part of his or her job responsibilities to produce it; or
if intellectual property fits within one of the nine categories of works considered “works for hire” under copyright law; or
if intellectual property results from research supported by federal funds or third-party sponsorship.

Works related to an employee’s job responsibilities, even if he or she is not specifically requested to create them, will belong to the institution as works-for-hire. A copyright work is related to an employee’s job responsibilities if it is the kind of work an employee is employed to do and if the work is done, at least in part, for use at work or for use by fellow employees, the employer, or the employer’s clients. Use of personal time or other facilities to create the work will not change its basic nature if the work is related to the creator’s job as described above. Works that have nothing to do with job duties will remain the property of the creator, so long as he or she makes no more than the incidental use of institution facilities usually and customarily provided.

The college does not have ownership when the creator is a student, professional, faculty, or non-faculty researcher and the intellectual property is a traditional academic copyrightable work in the creator’s field of experience. Even though such a work may be within the scope of employment, it is the property of the creator unless it is a scholarly work (a) created by someone specifically hired or required to create it or (b) commissioned by the institution. In either of these cases, the institution, not the creator, will own the intellectual property.

In the case of traditional academic copyrightable work that involves significant institutional resource contributions, the College reserves the right to secure rights (including but not limited to joint ownership), for example, to use the work and to recover its investment, in a contract with the creator. If a project involves the use of significant institutional resources, the creator and the institution shall agree before the project begins on the use of facilities, allocation of rights to use the work, and recovery of expenses and/or sharing of benefits from commercialization of the work.

In addition to traditional academic copyrightable work created by professional, faculty, researcher, or student creators in their field of expertise, a creator shall own intellectual property under the following conditions:

if it is unrelated to the creator’s job responsibilities and the creator made no more than incidental use of institution resources usually and customarily provided; or
if it is intellectual property that has been released to the creator in accordance with the requirements of this policy.
College facilities or resources are NOT to be used to create, develop, or commercialize intellectual properties unrelated to an individual’s employment responsibilities; or to develop or commercialize intellectual properties further that have been released to a creator except when approved by the College and when the College retains an interest under the terms of the release.

Disclosure

All intellectual property in which the college has an ownership interest under the provisions of this policy and that has the potential to be brought into practical use for public benefit or for which disclosure is required by law will be reported promptly in writing by the creator to the Chief Academic Officer through the appropriate supervisory chain. The disclosure is to constitute a full and complete disclosure of the subject matter of the discovery or development and identify all persons participating therein. The creator is to furnish such additional information and execute such documents from time to time as may be reasonably requested. Annually, the creator shall report to the College the proceeds and/or units distributed for all copyrightable works and intellectual property. If the study involves human subjects the creator shall follow the College’s IRB process for disclosure and approval.

Evaluation and Exploitation Decisions

After evaluation of the intellectual property and review of applicable contractual commitments, the college may develop the property through licensing, may release it to the sponsor of the research under which it was made (if contractually obligated to do so), may release it to the creator if permitted by law, or may take such other actions as are determined to be in the public interest. Exploitation by the college may or may not involve statutory protection of the intellectual property rights, such as filing for patent protection, registering the copyright, or securing plant variety certification.

Questions Related to College Ownership

In the event there is a question as to whether the institution has a valid ownership claim in intellectual property, such intellectual property should be disclosed in writing to the institution by the creator. Such disclosure is without prejudice to the creator’s ownership claim. The institution will provide the creator with a written statement as to the institution’s ownership interest.

Abandonment of Intellectual Property

Should the college decide to abandon development or protection of institution-owned intellectual property, ownership may be assigned to the creator as allowed by law subject to the rights of sponsors and to the retention of a license to practice for college purposes. The minimum terms of such license shall grant the institution the right to use the intellectual property in its internally administered programs of teaching, research, and public service on a perpetual, royalty-free, non-exclusive basis. The college may retain more than the minimum license rights, and the assignment or license may be subject to additional terms and conditions, such as revenue sharing with the institution or reimbursement of the costs of statutory protection, when justified by the circumstances of development.

Commercialization by Creator

The college may, at its discretion and consistent with the public interest, license intellectual property to the creator on an exclusive or nonexclusive basis. The creator must demonstrate technical and business capability to commercialize the intellectual property. Agreements with creators will be subject to review and approval of conflict- of-interest issues in accordance with this policy.

Decision-Making Timeline

Within 120 days of receipt of a complete intellectual property disclosure, the college will inform the principal creator of its substantive decisions regarding protection, commercialization, and/or disposition of intellectual property that he or she has disclosed. The college shall be bound by any confidentiality agreement made with any external parties.

Proceeds Distribution

In the event that royalties are generated by intellectual property rights assigned or licensed to the college, an appropriate share of such royalties shall be paid to the creator. The college may recover its costs before the following conditions apply. The creator’s share will be determined according to the following:

In cases where the college or the creator, as the case may be, assign such intellectual property rights to a research corporation under contract to the college, the share of royalties to be paid to the creator shall be governed by the terms of the contract between the college and the research corporation.
In cases where the intellectual property is covered by a contractual agreement with a sponsoring agency, the financial arrangements shall be in accordance with that contractual agreement as negotiated between the college and the contracting agency.
In cases of sponsorship by federal agencies, compliance with the appropriate federal regulations shall be effected in the ultimate agreement.
In cases where the college retains ownership of an intellectual property from a creator or creators, and/or expends funds to develop and market the intellectual property, any royalties generated will be used first to cover the expenses of filing, procuring, maintaining, and marketing the intellectual property. Fifty percent of the net royalties will be paid to the creator, and sixty percent will be retained by the college from which the intellectual property originated.
Net royalties on intellectual property available to the college are to be used for research, development, and other scholarly activities and allocated one hundred percent to the college where the intellectual property originated.
In instances where the college chooses not to retain ownership of the intellectual property, the creator shall obtain permission from the College President, or his or her designee, before associating the institution’s name, logo, etc., with the intellectual property.
The Board of Trustees may approve exceptions to the established royalty distribution in extraordinary circumstances, upon recommendation of the College President.

DOCUMENT HISTORY:

06-21-2017:

Initial approval of regulation IR 6750 Intellectual Property.